GUWAHATI, July 19: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday paid tribute to freedom fighter Mangal Pandey on his birth anniversary, remembering his courage and sacrifice during the Revolt of 1857 and acknowledging his enduring contribution to India’s struggle for independence.
In a post on social media, Prime Minister Modi said Mangal Pandey sacrificed his life to protect the honour of the motherland. He said the revolutionary’s unmatched bravery and supreme sacrifice continue to inspire pride among Indians and that his legacy of patriotism and valour will motivate generations to come.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also paid homage to Pandey, describing him as the pioneer of the 1857 Revolution and an immortal martyr whose courage occupies a permanent place in the nation’s history.
“On the birth anniversary of Mangal Pandey ji, the pioneer of the 1857 Revolution and the immortal heroic martyr, we offer him millions of salutations. His unparalleled courage and supreme sacrifice for the nation’s freedom will forever remain etched in India’s history. The grateful nation remembers him with reverence,” Sarma said in a post on X.
Mangal Pandey is widely recognised as one of the earliest revolutionaries to challenge British colonial rule. Serving as a sepoy in the 34th Bengal Native Infantry of the East India Company, he became a symbol of resistance after attacking British officers at Barrackpore on March 29, 1857, an incident widely regarded as one of the catalysts for the Revolt of 1857.
Pandey was arrested after the attack and executed by hanging on April 8, 1857, at the age of 29. His sacrifice went on to inspire generations of freedom fighters and secured his place among the foremost martyrs of India’s independence movement.
