THE RISING: MANGAL PANDEY'S ROLE IN SPARKING INDIA'S FIGHT FOR INDEPENDENCE

"The Rising" is a gripping historical film set in 1857, showcasing the journey of Mangal Pandey, a sepoy (native soldier) in the Indian Army under the British East India Company. The movie begins with Pandey and the British Army collaborating against Afghan warlords, during which Mangal saves the life of Captain Gordon, forging a strong friendship.

The British East India Company had ruled India for centuries, exploiting the region through ventures like the Opium trade. The Company was a profit-driven entity, often at the expense of Indian sepoys, derogatorily referred to as "black dogs."

The plot thickens when an untouchable in the village learns about new gun cartridges coated with cow and pig fat. This posed a severe issue since the cartridges had to be bitten open, which would offend both Hindu (cow) and Muslim (pig) religious sentiments. Initially, the British Army managed to suppress this information. Captain Gordon, unaware of the truth, assures the sepoys that the cartridges are free of such fat. Trusting Gordon, Mangal bites into the cartridge. However, the Indian sepoys soon discover the reality by witnessing the manufacturing process, leading to Mangal feeling betrayed. This deception ignites a revolt against the British, transforming a small mutiny into a full-fledged fight for freedom.

The film also highlights various societal issues prevalent in India in 1857. It depicts an Indian woman breastfeeding British babies for money while unable to feed her own child, women being sold into prostitution, and the horrific practice of Sati, where widows were burned alive with their deceased husbands. Captain Gordon rescues a bride named Jwala from Sati, emphasizing the grim realities of the time.

A pivotal moment occurs when Mangal tells Heera, a prostitute he loves, to sell her body to the British rather than Indians. Heera retorts, "We may have sold our bodies, but you sepoys have sold your souls." This statement strikes Mangal profoundly, leading him to realize that he and his fellow sepoys are being exploited. Feeling deceived by his friend Gordon about the cartridges, Mangal and his comrades decide to fight for their freedom, initiating the uprising and subsequent mutiny.

Towards the end, the film transitions to old footage, showing India's journey post-Mangal Pandey's rebellion, leading to independence under leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Bhagat Singh. This struggle culminated in India gaining freedom from British rule 90 years after Mangal Pandey's death. The narrative also touches upon the partition of India and Pakistan, highlighting the largest and bloodiest mass displacement in history, with millions of Muslims moving to Pakistan and millions of Hindus to India.

Reflecting on this, it is essential to honor the sacrifices made by freedom fighters like Mangal Pandey, Bhagat Singh, and countless others who fought for the independence we cherish today. This Independence Day, let us remember and be grateful for their unwavering dedication to our freedom. BUY MANGAL PANDEY T-SHIRTS AND POSTERS HERE!

[The images used in this blog post are not owned by Anime Devta, they are just for entertainment purposes]

| MANGAL PANDEY | BHAGAT SINGH | FREEDOM FIGHTERS | HINDU | FREEDOM | INDEPENDENCE | GANDHI | INDIAN ARMY |

~Mimansa Sharma