Write short notes for Mangal Pandey.
Mangal Pandey was an Indian soldier under the British who is associated with the Revolt of 1857. His attack on British officers on March 29, 1857, marked the begining of the Revolt. During his service in the Bengal Infantry at Barrackpore, The British had introduced new ‘Enfield Rifle’ in the army. This rifle needed a cartridge which had a greased paper cover. This paper cover had to be bitten off before loading the cartridge into the rifle. The rumors spread that the greased paper was made up of beef and pork. Mangal Pandey urged his fellow soldiers to not use the rifle. On 29 March 1857, he attacked his officers in Barrackpore. He was later hanged. This incident sparked the revolt of 1857.