Varanasi :

Volunteers of a social organization carried out ‘1857 Smriti March’ in the city on Tuesday to mark the March 29, 1857 when Mangal Pandey, a native of Ballia district and soldier in the 34th Bengal Native Infantry (BNI) regiment of the British East India Company, rebelled at Barrackpore and attacked British officers. It was the first major incident known as sepoy mutiny or the first war of independence.

Displaying the portraits of 1857 war heroes with national flags and raising slogans the volunteers carried out the march from Varunanagaram colony to Cultural Complex, Chowkaghat. Recalling the day as the first war of India’s independence, they remembered Mangal Pandey for the great uprising in the country.

According to records, at Barrackpore on the afternoon of March 29, 1857 Mangal Pandey attacked British officers of BNI. At that time the company had introduced new rifles, which used animal fat for greasing the cartridges. Mangal Panday refused to use the greased cartridges and broke into open mutiny and urged his fellow soldiers comrades to join him. Surrounded by guards and European officers, he tried to commit suicide by shooting himself and was seriously wounded. He was court-martialled, and hanged at Barrackpore on April 8, 1857. Indian Posts & Telegraphs Department issued commemorative stamp on him in 1984.

Later, Ballia became popular as ‘Bagi Ballia’ when it declared itself independent in 1942. To mark the occasion every year on August 19, people assemble at the gate of district jail and carry out a procession across the town. The procession culminates at Bapu Bhawan, Town Hall where a public meeting is held.

Known for rebellious nature, people of Ballia took active part in Quit India movement of August 9,1942. According to district records, during this period local natives and students took out processions, attacked the Bilthara Road Railway Station, Rasra treasury and Bairia police station.

Chittu Pandey headed the national government declared and established on August 19, 1942 for a few days before it was suppressed by the British. The parallel government succeeded in getting the Collector to hand over power and release all the arrested Congress leaders.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Varanasi / by Binay Singh / TNN / March 29th, 2016