Matadin Bhangi the originator of 1857 Rebellion.
(19 July 1827; to 8April, 1857)
Matadin Bhangi remained unsung hero of First war of Independence. He is reported to have born on 19 July 1827.He was from a Valmiki, Scavenger’s (Bhangi) family. Valmiki Samaj is said to be descendent of Maharishi Valmik. Maharishi Valmik wrote Ramayana , which shows in his times Vamikis were educated. Unfortunately present time descendents of Valmik Ji are holding Brooms, a reversed form of a peacock feather pen shown held by Maharishi ji while writing Ramayana Epic. How this happening has gone missing by biased historians is a mystery. The person without whom perhaps First War of Indian Freedom 1857 would not have ever formalized, was brave Matadin alias Matadin Bhangi.
The first step for 1857 Sepoy Munity was moved by him, a Dalit, untouchable by caste. Had Matadin Bhangi not born the great revolutionary Mangal Pande might not have been immortal hero and 1857 military mutiny may also not happened? During those times the British had no restrictions on recruitments of untouchables in armed forces. But the biased Indian high caste historian while glorifying contribution of high caste martyrs Mangal Pande, Maharani Laxmibai , Nana Sahib, Tantria Tope, etc. as main war heroes. Those historians maintained criminal silence to mention names of Dalit Martyrs namely Matadin Bhangi, Jalkaribai Kori, Gangu Mehter, Veera Pasi, Banka Chamar, Lajjo, Avantibai, Udhodevi, , Chet Ram Jatav, Billu Mehtar and many more. The contributions of these Dalit heroes were no way less if not more than glorified Hindu warriors. This rebellion was fought by Hindu, Muslim and Dalit untidily without any caste distinctions. So to ignore any body on caste basis cannot be justified any way.
Among the various factors for failure of 1857 Sepoy Mutiny, the major were disunity among Indian rulers, Zamindars. Their interests were varied and some differed significantly. Some supported and joined this rebellion and many remained out with no mind and courage to oppose the Britisher’s . Also “The Doctrine of Lapse” endangered future of those Indian rulers who if die without natural heirs could not nominate any of the relative to own their kingdoms will be annexed by the Company regime. Between 1803 to 1858 over 30 states were annexed by the Company under this doctrine. So many rulers fearing of losing their kingdoms in the absence of heir apparent revolted. The Low caste people had no such interests. They had the interests of their Motherland .They were loyal to their mother land and employers. Holding interests of Mother Land above all interests and commitments, even those who were employed by British Company also joined hands against the British.
As per a report in Dalit Dastavej Hindi book among those who got killed in Freedom struggle from (1857-1947) 68.3% were Shudras,now called Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backwards. Although one Sandeep Dev quotes from harsh30.wordpress.com( Nov. 15,2014) the following statement in (Hindi) on “ Akhir Koun they Bhangi,Mehter Aur Valmiki” topic the following
Dr. Subrahmanian Swamy writes, "The Scheduled Castes are the descendants of those brave Brahmins and Kshatriyas who accepted to be out of the caste, but did not accept the forced conversion of the Mughals. Today's Hindu society should be thankful to them, they should bow down to them, because they never let the Hindu saffron flag bow down, even if they themselves suffered humiliation and oppression. "
The actual meaning of the words Dalit and ValmikiIn order to protect our religion, our ancestors who broke their Janeu ( holy tread), that is, to 'dissolve' the Muslim rulers and the Amir, who carried the scourge and took away the defecation made by them in the head, themselves took a sip of insult, but society Did not stop shaking He did not renounce his crest so that the society was familiar with his Brahmin identity and then after retiring from his work, he started singing Ram Katha from house to house, street to street to awaken Hindu consciousness so that in Hindu Let the great disappointment go away.Despite the wish expressed the writer who himself tells he is Bhumihar Brahmin, the Hindu upper castes have given worst possible treatments to their else while reported blood brothers. Upper Caste Hindus forgot that Bhagwan Valmiks cared, nourished including arranging safe delivery of pregnant Sita , when she was deserted by her own husband ( Maryada Purshotam Lord Rama) in lonely and deserted jungle. Mahrishi Valmik a Dalit Saint brought up Sita’s sons, taught them and trained them in marshal arts. But Rama did not show any mercy on Sambuk a Dalit Saint and assassinated him for his projected crime of worshiping Nature and Nature creator. Decedents of Maharishi Valmik who compiled Ramayana,the story of Rama were debarred from schools Education. When Goswami Tusidas wrote Ramayana he assigned only right to Suhdras and women to be beaten like beasts. Daroonacharya teache to royal princes, Pandavas and Kauravas . He incapacitated EKLAVYA Dalit archer by cutting his right hand thumb so that he does not take part in Mahabharta and Arjuna be decorated as hero. One writer, Shankaranand Shastri writes in his book My Experiences and Memories Of Baba Sahib Ambedkar( Chapter XiV) ten attempts were made on the life of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar who later gave Constitution to free India. Present trends are also horrible as parading naked Dalit women for pretty crimes are common scenes in India. Hundred and thousand of such horrible crimes against Dalits can be quoted. When this all is going to stop on high and low caste lines is no body’s guess.Let us now come to story of first Shaheed of Indian revolt 1857, who was hanged in full public view on 8th April 1857.
Matadin Bhangi is said to be native of Meerut ( Uttar Pradesh). The undue harassment of Hindus forced exodus of his ancestors from Meerut. Many of them worked in military services. Matadin belonging to Valmiki Samaj (Jaggosamaj You tube), He was employee in the British East India Company armed forces. He was transferred to Barrakpur Cantonment near Calcutta now Kolkata. He was reported to be a technical supervisor in the Barrakpur Ammunition factory. Matadin was strong in built up and was interested in wrestling. He approached many upper caste wrestlers running Akaras ( Gynmasium) but they all refused him to join them due to his low caste . In the 70 Battalion was posted a Muslim named Khalifa Islauddin, who was also a wrestler. When Mata Din approached him, he agreed to take him as his disciple. With regular practice Mata Din became an expert wrestler and later earned Rustame Hind Title. Matadin was there after was taken as Muslim by many people in the factory.
Sometime after Mangal Pande a Brahmin was also posted in Barrakpur Cantonment from Meerut. He was a wrestler and when he learnt about Matadin , he took his as Muslim. He wanted to have wrestling match with Matadin. Both were of same age group. In the match Matadin defeated Mangal Pandey. Mangal Pande valued the superior wrestling techniques displayed by Matadin. Both developed nearness and both started playing friendly matches with Matadin to pick up experiences. Both were joining at meals also Matadin’s wife Lajjo was also stated to be working in the cantonment. She had pretty fair colour and strong body with fine lovely contours. One English officer in the factory wanted to develop relations with Lajjo . When Lajjo went to dust tent of that European officer he expressed his wish to Lajjo , saying since Europeans are owners of India along with Indian men and women. They have right to use services of Indians as per their needs and wishes. Lajjo did not like despite European’s wishes. Lajjo told the European that they may be poor but they respect their dignity and honour the most. They earn their livelihood through hard labour and so do not indulge in undignified acts. Lajjo knew the secrets of making cartridges covers with mixed tallow of cow and pig. She told both these things to her husband, who got furious with anger for both acts of Europeans. The Bhangi couple decided to teach a lesson to the Europeans. But when Matadin expressed his apprehensions of hidden danger in doing do. Lajjo said there is nothing sacred than personal and Mother Land’s honour. She promised to stand by him in all dangers. Matadin agreed as he had got definite clue which will exploit religious sentiments of both Hindu and Muslim soldiers which will be helpful to achieve their goal of freeing India from Britisher’s slavery yoke.Another story goes that Mangal Pandey informed the European officer super wrestling quality of his friend Matadin. Later European officer put a challenge to Matadin to face and defeat him. Matadin defeated the European wrestler This win of an Indian over European filled Indian spectators including Mangal Panday with unbound joy. They lifted Matadin on shoulders to celebrate the achievement of defeat of an European from Indian hands. Indians were dancing to express their joy. This European disclosed to Mangal Pande the low caste as Bhangi of Matadin who till date took Matadin a Muslim. Mangal Pande must have felt insulted to be friend with a Valmiki. Mangal Pande started to avoid Matadin and tried to keep distance. Matadin had planned to ignite rebellion in the platoon for which he had got a solid clue. One hot summer day Matadin when passing near Mangal Pandey place took water from a metallic brass pot of Pande . This made Pande furious telling Matadin , how he a Bhangi ,dared to touch his water pot. The water pot was polluted. The caste hate was such that if a Brahmin taking meals heard the voice of an untouchable outside, Brahmin stopped taking food , took bath and observed fast that day.On this Matadin told Mangal Pandey- “Bara awa hai Brahaman ka beta. Jin kartuson ka tum upayog karat ho, unpar gaaye or suar ki charbi lagawal jaat hai, jinhe tum apan daatun se torkar 9 banduk mein bharat ho. O samay tomhar jati aur dharam kahan jawat. Dhikkar tumhare is brahmanatwa ka " mearing “You claim to be a highly respectable Brahmin, but the cartridges which you bite with your teeth and insert in your guns, are all rubbed with the fat of cows and pigs. What happens to your caste and religion then? Curse on your Brahminism”. This taunting was taken seriously by Pande . Words of Matadin spread in the cantonment like wild fire. Sentiments of all Hindu- Muslim employees were hurt by hidden act of Europeans in making cartridges. Hindus worshiped cow as Gayomata and Muslim hated pig. This plot of Matadin worked well to infuse hurting religion sentiments of both communities and was sure to cause a force full army rebellion. It succeeded like success in igniting the spark to free his mother land India from the British subjugation.
Meerut army unit commander, Colonel Carmichael Smyth on 24 April 1857, paraded 90 Indian sepoys of the Bengal Cavalry who were mostly from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. He ordered them to fire the new Enfield cartridges: 85 soldiers refused to tear of the cartridges covering with paper that had to be torn off with teeth: Muslims believed the paper was greased with pig fat and Hindus, with cow. As per (THE OUTBREAK OF THE INDIAN MUTINY page 118 Published by: Society for Army Historical Research-ps://www.jstor.org/stable/44226277) this outbreak of upsurge was on evening of Sunday, 10th May,1857.
Another source writes On March 29, 1857 Mangal Pandey of 34th Native Infantry, shot at his sergeant-major on the parade ground. When the British adjutant rode over, Pande shot the horse out from under him and as the officer tried to extricate himself Pandey severely wounded him with a sword. Many other sepoys including Matadin Bhaghi were part of the first revolt.
Pandey along with others Indian soldiers including Matadin were also arrested and put in jail. SomeYou tube story teller says Matadin disappeared from firing scene and hide him somewhere. When Mangal Mandey was given severest possible torture, he disclosed the where about of hiding place of Matadin. Matadin was also arrested. A case was instituted in the court titled Matadin V/s Britishand others . All accused were awarded Death by hanging. The date of execution was fixed 18 April. Anticipating a revolt, which had already spread in many places, British authorities enhanced execution date on April 8. They were hanged in full public view, to create in public fear psyche. The hero’s of first Rebellion of Indian freedom both 29 years old, scarified body mortal frames but making their memories immortal .
During interrogation the British had come to know that it was Matadin Bhangi who instigated Barrakpore cantonment sepoys to revolt. So British instituted court casetitled (Matadin V/s Britishand others ). They hanged Matadin first and Mangal Pandey next to him. Although both of them and other martyr were equally great, but new findings tell, Matadin was first martyr not Mangal Pandey. The biased Hindu historians made Mangal Panday as freedom war hero and eliminated Matadin Bhangi from history pages. This was greatest injustice done to those Dalits who sacrificed their lives for a sacred cause. The caste monster nourished by caste Hindus caused continuous heinous pains to Dalits. This caste demon continued chasing Matadin’s shadow, when on Wednesday, 25April,2018 his memorial in Barrakpor cantonment Board park was vandalized, bringing shame to whole nation.
The grateful Nation shall continue respecting these men of past who got martyred for their motherland.2271 words Material Source
1. THE OUTBREAK OF THE INDIAN MUTINY Sunday,10 May,1857 Published by: Society for Army Historical Research https://www.jstor.org/stable/44226277 Page -5
2. Himayati, a Dalit literary magazine, in its May 1996 Dr. S.P Sumnakshar
3. Dali Mahilayan by Dr. Manju Suman
4. My Experiences and Memories of Dr.Baba Saheb Ambedkar
5. By Shankranand Shastri
6. Jaggosamaj You tube
7. Google--wikipedia
8. Akhir Koun they Bhangi,Mehter Aur Valmiki
a. from harsh30.wordpress.com( Nov. 15,2014)
9. The 1857 Siege of Delhi, John H. Waller, Military History Magazine
10. Dalit Freedom Fighter by Mohandas Namishray
11. Dalit Dastavej By M.R.Vidhrohi
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