Shaikh Paltu

History
Main article: Mangal Pandey

Shaikh Paltu (Hindi: शैख़ पलटू) was a soldier (sepoy) with the British East India Company who served in the 34th Bengal Native Infantry in March 1857, shortly before widespread discontent broke out in the Bengal Army. When on March 29, Sepoy Mangal Pandey of the same regiment attacked a British lieutenant, Shaikh Paltu intervened to assist the officer and captured Mangal Pandey.[1] The other sepoys of the quarter guard on duty and others present refused to take any action against their comrade and remained as "idle spectators of a murderous assault".[2]

Representation of Mangal Pandey attacking a British lieutenant immediately after which Shaikh Paltu held Mangal Pandey by the waist and captured him. [3]

An English sergeant-major had been first to arrive at the scene but was knocked down by the musket of a member of the quarter-guard. While other sepoys looked on, Shaikh Paltu continued to defend the two British officers, calling upon other soldiers to join him.[4] A number of off-duty sepoys had crowded around the struggle and some abused and struck at Shaikh Paltu. Shaikh Paltu grabbed Mangal Pandey and held him by the waist. The other sepoys threatened to shoot him if he didn't let Mangal Pandey go. But Paltu didn't release Pandey and continued to hold him by the waist until Baugh and Hewson could rise again. The sepoys threw stones and shoes at Paltu and ordered him to release Pandey. But Shaikh Paltu strictly refused to release Mangal Pandey and detained him under captivity. Shaikh Paltu held Mangal Pandey by the waist and kept him locked.

The intervention of the latter did however enable Adjutant Baugh and Lieutenant Hewson, both injured, to rise.[5] Some members of the quarter-guard detachment are reported to have attacked their officers with the butts of their muskets.[6]

Major-General J. Hearse, who, with other officers, had ridden to the scene took control of the situation. Pandey, who was still held by Shaikh Paltu,shot and wounded himself, and the members of the quarter-guard now obeyed orders. Mangal Pandey "shivering and convulsed" with a chest wound was taken to the regimental hospital under guard.[7]

Aftermath

Pandey and the jemander in command of the guard were subsequently court-martialed and executed. The 34th Bengal Native Infantry was disarmed and disbanded six weeks later on May 6.[8]

Shaikh Paltu was promoted to Havaldar (native sergeant) a day after Mangal Pandey's execution and recommended by General Hearse for a decoration.[9] However, some days before the disbandment of the 34th BNI (Bengal Native Infantry), he was lured to an isolated spot in the cantonment and murdered by several of his former comrades.[10]

Films and television

In the 2005 Bollywood Hindi movie Mangal Pandey: The Rising, directed by Ketan Mehta, Shaikh Paltu was portrayed by Murali Sharma.

References
  1. Mason, Philip. A Matter of Honour. An Account of the Indian Army, its Officers and Men. p. 272. ISBN 0-333-41837-9.
  2. Durendra Nath Sen, page 50 Eighteen Fifty-Seven, The Publications Division, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India, May 1957
  3. "Heroes of the Indian Mutiny; Stories of Heroic Deeds", Edward Gilliat, Service & Co. London
  4. Wagner, Kim A. The Great Fear of 1857. Rumours, Conspiracies and the Making of the Indian Uprising. p. 83. ISBN 978-93-81406-34-2.
  5. Wagner, Kim A. The Great Fear of 1857. Rumours, Conspiracies and the Making of the Indian Uprising. p. 84. ISBN 978-93-81406-34-2.
  6. Hibbert, Christopher. The Great Mutiny India 1857. p. 69. ISBN 0-14-004752-2.
  7. Wagner, Kim A. The Great Fear of 1857. Rumours, Conspiracies and the Making of the Indian Uprising. pp. 86–87. ISBN 978-93-81406-34-2.
  8. David, Saul. The Indian Mutiny. pp. 69–72. ISBN 0-141-00554-8.
  9. Wagner, Kim A. The Great Fear of 1857. Rumours, Conspiracies and the Making of the Indian Uprising. p. 97. ISBN 978-93-81406-34-2.
  10. Wagner, Rumours and Rebels (2010), p.97 referring to The Delhi Gazette, 9 May 1857

Suggested readings
  • Malleson, G.B., The Indian Mutiny of 1857, pp. 36–39, Delhi, Rupa & Co. publishers, 2005 (first published: 1890)
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