Revolt of 1857 in Gujarat | Planning of Mangal Pandey

        The 7th battalion of the British Army broke into Revolt in Ahmedabad, Gujarat in June, 1857, However, it was soon halted. Dahod, Jhalod and Godhara of Panchmahal witnessed the skirmishes with the British Army. The soldiers could capture Government offices with the help of the natives but were soon defeated. The Nayakadas of Panchmahal continued the rebellion almost for a year.

How revolt of 1857 in Gujarat become successful?

        Garbad Das Patel, the Headman of Anand in Kheda in district collected almost 2000 volunteers of the Koli and Nayakada communities to join the revolt. He was supported by Jivabhai Thakor of Khanpur, Malaji Joshi and Krishna Das Dave. However, the supporters of Garbad Das were captured by the Britishers, tied to the cannon and were blown off with the cannonball fire. Garbad Das was exiled to Andamans where he died.

        The people of Chandup (Chandap) village, which is 16 miles away from Idar, accepted the leadership of Nethaji and Yamaji and joined the revolt. The British had camped at Nandana village between Okha and baradi. The British Commander of the Navy became impatient and he reached the fort of Bet Dwarka via the Bay of Bet. Donovan ordered an attack on the fort. The Waghers inside the fort had no such artillery to counter attack. At this time the Wagher women came up with a very brave and innovative idea. They soaked the mattress with the water in which they could catch the cannon balls and cool them immediately. This would enable the Wagher men to fight the battle without being hit by the cannon balls. Nowhere in the history of the world has such an act of valor been exhibited. Wagher women very bravely disarmed the cannon balls without worrying about their own lives. Their act of bravery was equivalent to that of Rani Laxmibai. These women were the Laxmibais of Gujarat.

        Cities of North Gujarat like Patan, Kheralu, Bhiloda, Mudeti, etc. broke into the revolt with the help of the natives. Apart from this, in December 1858 Tatya Tope stayed with his army in Panchmahal district of Gujarat. He had to escape to the forest of Vansvada when being chased by the British Army.

Planning of the revolt and Mangal Pandey

What was the planning of Mangal Pandey of revolt of 1857 in India?

        It was planned to begin the revolt across the nation against the East India Company on 31st May, 1857. Leaders like Nanasaheb Peshwa, Bahadur Shah Zafar, Kunwar Singh and the Nawab of Awadh had joined hands with Tatya Tope, an efficient military commander; Rango bapuji, an accomplished planner, and Azimullah Khan, a lawyer and a journalist to lead the revolt. Lotus and roti were the symbols to join the revolt for the civilians and the soldiers respectively. These symbols were circulated across the nation. Bards, Hindu and Muslim priests, Auliyas and messengers played their part in spreading the word about the revolt.

Who was the first martyr of India?

        Mangal Pandey opposed the use of the  cartridge greased with the fat of cows and pigs. As a result, the revolt began earlier than the fixed date. It disrupted the planning and the objectives of the revolt could not be achieved.

        Mangal Pandey was born to a Brahmin couple in Nagwa village of Uttar Pradesh. He joined the British army as a soldier at Rs. 7 as his salary. The Indian soldiers who had agreed to revolt, wanted to wait till 31st May. Whereas 26 years old Mangal Pandey could not wait till then. He refused to follow the orders of using the Enfield Rifle and challenged the British Officers. Sergeant-Major Hewson ordered him to be arrested but Mangal Pandey shot him.

    He defeated another British officer too. The Indian soldiers refused to arrest Mangal Pandey, being a Brahmin. When he was cornered by the British soldiers, he shot himself by his own rifle. A bleeding Mangal Pandey was taken to the hospital because the British wanted to get information about the plan of the revolt from him.

        The Military court pretended to run a case against Mangal Pandey on 6th April 1857. The entire proceeding was in English. He was sentenced to death at the end but he did not divulge any information regarding revolt to the British. That’s how he became the first martyr of the Revolt of 1857.