A Sepoy who leads by his principles

A democracy that we see today, puts "We the People of India" before its sovereignty, is a country born out from the years of bloodshed and the struggle of many such revolutionaries who fought with pride. One such soldier was born on this day in 1827.

Mangal Pandey. Illustrated by Dishani Goswami: Visual Storyteller at ThisDay

Mangal Pandey, a name that every Indian would recognize, for he was a martyr who sparked the first war of independence against the Britishers in 1857. But what really would have happened that made him this revolutionary and that which led to the beginning of such a vast historical account in Indian independence?

It is true that the history of the British Raj in India has been deep-rooted since the 17th century that merely began with an objective to develop trade relations with the land. While, it must be noted that India has always been a country with a high population and hence, is with the huge availability of human force at work. Along with this, it was ruled distinctively through various autonomous kingdoms for years, which highlights the fact that it wasn't united like it is today. Back then, for territories and empires to rule, wars were essentially declared.

Hence, when the Britishers came to India in the 1700s, they hit the jackpot. They had both the human force at a low price for trade work and kings to be manipulated against each other, for all the wealth. It seems like to rule over India, the idea always remained the same. The difference is, this time it was only meant to exploit. For years Britisher exerted a great influence on the Indians, actually until it became independent. That is why 200 years of oppression and colonization, hold a big part in defining India as a country.

It is, by now, certain that India's Independence was not a one-day task, but it is the upshot from the years of bloodshed and oppression faced, which ignited this fire to acclaim freedom. It was a contribution by everyone, who themselves, stood against enslavement and encouraged the masses to lead by their principles and values enriched.

Amidst this, Mangal Panday was born, on this day, in a Baille district (now, Uttar Pradesh), who as a young man joined the Bengal Army in 1849. Later he became the Indian Sepoy in the service of the British East India Company while he himself was under the dispossession of Britishers for being an upper Hindu Brahman caste. From here a rebellion was born, who dreamed of himself as Sepoy in the service of his country, with all wit and grit.

However, things didn't fall in place when the Britishers introduced an Enfield Rifle for soldiers, in which the cartridge was rumored to have been lubricated with either cow or pig yard. The soldiers were supposed to bite off the ends of the cartridge to load the gun. Since cows are considered holy in Hindus, and pigs in the Muslim religion, it became a matter of faith. This eventually contradicted both Hindus and Muslims for being instigated and simmered by disregarding their religious beliefs.

As Pandey, with other Sepoy's in-service rebelled against the Britishers in agitation, it was a message to rise up declare war. The rose-colored glasses could finally understand and witness the river of blood planned in anticipation.

Even after escaping the rival, Pandey was arrested and sentenced to death in an attempt to shoot one of the officers. But the incident had already caused a stir in people and hence, it deliberated itself into the form of Sepoy Mutiny 1857: The First War of Independence. After that day and Pandey's sacrifice, a stepping stone towards the fight against British Raj was established. Hence it is, for this reason, one must remember such a legendary rebellion, born to India and for India.