Draft:Ayachak Brahmin

Introduction

Sometimes ordinary folks end up accomplishing extraordinary feats. Feats which often turn the tide of history forever. Though these men may be relegated to the footnotes of history, but one often marvels at what pushed those seemingly ordinary men to perform extra- ordinary tasks. Let's take a quick look at the tales of two such men who turned the tide of the Indian independence struggle against the British forever.

Mangal Pandey: Catalyst Who Ignited 1857 Revolt

Mangal Pandey was an Indian soldier in the army of the British East India Company. He played a key part in the events immediately preceding the outbreak of the Indian rebellion of 1857. He was a sepoy in the 34th Bengal Native Infantry (BNI) regiment of the British East India Company. On the afternoon of 29th March 1857, Lieutenant Baugh, Adjutant of the 34th Bengal Native Infantry, then stationed at Barrackpore, was informed that several men of his regiment were in an excited state. Further, it was reported to him that one of them, Mangal Pandey, was pacing in front of the regiment's guard room near the parade ground, armed with a loaded musket, calling upon the men to rebel and threatening to shoot the first European that he set his eyes on. Baugh soon accosted Pandey but he was attacked and grievously injured by Pandey. Later a British Sergeant-Major named Hewson charged towards Pandey as he was fighting with Lieutenant Baugh. While confronting Pandey, Hewson was knocked to the ground from behind by a blow from Pandey's musket. The British Indian sepoys witnessing the incident just froze on seeing the raw courage of sepoy Mangal Pandey. When facing imminent capture, Pandey shot himself but was not mortally wounded. He was overpowered and captured and soon sent to the gallows after a quick trial by the British Army. The revolt of Mangal Pandey is widely acknowledged as the opening scene of what came to be known as the Indian Rebellion of 1857. Knowledge of his action. spread like wildfire amongst his fellow soldiers and is widely considered as one of the key factors leading to the general series of mutinies that broke out during the following months.