१८५७ का स्वातन्त्र्य समर (वीर विनायक दामोदर सावरकर - अंग्रेजों द्वारा छपने से पूर्व प्रतिबन्धित महाग्रन्थ)

SHAHID MANGAL PANDAY
Immediately, Colonel Wheeler came and ordered Mangal
Panday's arrest. Another shout arose, “We would not
even touch the hair of this sacred Brahmin.” The colonel,
on seeing the blood of Englishmen flowing and the Sepoys
in such a mood, speedily retreated to the bungalow of
the general. On the parade Mangal Panday continued
waving his hands full of blood in the air, shouting tre-
mendously all the time, “Rise! Brethren, rise!” When
General Hearsey heard this, he took some European sol-
diers and rode hastily towards Panday. Seeing that he
would soon fall into the hands of Feringhis and preferring
death to falling into the hands of the enemy, Mangal
Panday turned the gun towards his own breast, and im-
mediately his sacred body lay wounded on the parade
ground. The wounded young soldier was taken to the
hospital, and the English officers returned to their tents,
amazed at the bravery of this Sepoy. This was on the
29th of March, 1857.
Mangal Panday was, then, tried before a court-martial.
During the inquiry, attempts were made to compel
him to reveal the names of other conspirators. But
the valiant youth bluntly refused to do so. He also
said that he had no personal malice against the officers
whom he shot. If there had been any personal malice,
Mangal Panday's name would have been in the list of
assassins and not of martyrs. But Mangal Panday's brave
deed was done through devotion to a high and noble
principle. His sword came out of its scabbard to defend
his country and religion, “thinking alike of victory and
defeat,” as the Bhagavat Gita enjoins. He came out with
the firm resolution to die rather than face the insult to
his country and religion. In this his bold attempt, his
bravery as well as his patriotism are worthy of the highest
praise. He was condemned to be hanged. The 8th of
April was the day fixed for the execution. Whatever
might be the inspiring splendour in the actual blood of
martyrs, the very names of martyrs inspire us with noble
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