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Indian Express
20 hours ago
- General
- Indian Express
Knowledge Nugget: Why Mangal Pandey's role in revolt of 1857 matters for your UPSC exam
Take a look at the essential concepts, terms, quotes, or phenomena every day and brush up on your knowledge. Here's your knowledge nugget on Mangal Pandey and other prominent leaders' contributions to the Revolt of 1857. (Relevance: UPSC has asked questions on the Revolt of 1857 in both Prelims and Mains. Also, the contribution of Mangal Pandey holds immense significance in the outbreak of the revolt, making it an important topic for your UPSC exam.) On March 29, 1857, Mangal Pandey fired a shot at the Sergeant Major of his regiment at Barrackpore near Kolkata, triggering a great event in the history of Modern India — the Revolt of 1857, or the Sepoy Mutiny, or the First War of Indian Independence. With it ended the rule of the East India Company over India with Queen Victoria's Proclamation of 1858. It changed the British system of colonial rule in India with the enactment of the Government of India Act 1858 which appointed a Viceroy as the Crown representative in India in place of the Governor General of India. Lord Canning became the First viceroy under this new system. 1. Mangal Pandey was born on July 19, 1827, in Nagwa village in Ballia district in a Bhumihar Brahmin family. He joined the East India Company's army at the age of 22 as a soldier in the 6th company of the 34th Bengal Native Infantry. 2. He refused to use the newly introduced Enfield rifle. It was believed that the new Enfield Pattern 1853 rifle-musket issued to the sepoys of the East India Company came with a cartridge dipped in beef and pork fat, which made it anathema to both Hindu and Muslim sepoys, who had to bite open the cartridge to load the weapon. 3. On March 29, 1857, Pandey mutinied and fired at his Senior Sergeant Major. He was overpowered and hanged on April 8, 1857, by the order of a Court Martial at Lal Bagan in Barrackpore. His regiment was disbanded, like the 19th infantry at Behrampore, for showing resentment. 4. Mangal Pandey was hanged to death by the Company on April 8. He belonged to the kingdom of Awadh, which had been treacherously annexed by Lord Dalhousie in 1856 on the grounds of misgovernance. It was not under the Doctrine of Lapse introduced by Dalhousie to annex other regions. It was introduced by Lord Dalhousie during his time as the Governor-General of India (1848–56). According to this doctrine, the adopted heir to the throne was not allowed to acquire the state, and the state automatically 'lapsed' into British dominion if the ruler died without any natural, biological heir. The territories of Satara (1848), Punjab (1849), Sambalpur (1850), and Jhansi and Nagpur (1854) were annexed under it. Bahadur Shah Zafar II was the Delhi emperor from 1836 to 1857. He was the second son of and became the successor to his father, Akbar II. After the failure of the Revolt of 1857, he was exiled to Rangoon in British-controlled Burma, and the Red Fort was illegally captured by the British on September 19, 1857. He lived in prison till his death in 1862. 5. Notably, Awadh was a region that supplied large numbers of soldiers of war to the Company's army. There were 75,000 soldiers from Awadh, and almost every agricultural family in the kingdom had a representative in the army. Whatever happened in Awadh was of immediate concern to the Sepoy. 6. The deposition of the Nawab and the confiscation of the villages of taluqdars during the land revenue settlement of 1856 caused outrage. Some 14,000 petitions were received from the Sepoys about the hardships they faced on account of the revenue system. Mangal Pandey represented the discontent that the misery of British rule had brought upon peasant families. 7. Next, the soldiers of the 7th Awadh Regiment rose in defiance, and they also met the same fate. After this, the incidents of disobedience, incendiarism, and arson were reported from the army cantonments in Ambala, Lucknow, and Meerut, until finally, the Meerut sepoys started the revolt on 10 May. 8. The marching band of sepoys from Meerut reached the Red Fort and appealed to Bahadur Shah II, the elderly Mughal emperor who was a pensioner of the East India Company, to become their leader to provide legitimacy to their cause. After much persuasion, he yielded and was proclaimed Shah-en-shah-i-Hindustan. Leaders across the northern region joined the revolt to provide leadership. Here are some of the prominent leaders that you shouldn't miss. 1. Nana Sahib: He was the adopted son of Peshwa Baji Rao II, the last Maratha peshwa (ruler), who assumed the leadership from Kanpur. Lord Dalhousie has refused the extension of the pension of his adoptive father to him, and the threat from sepoys made him join the revolt. He provided a strong front; however, in 1859, he was driven into the Nepal hills, where he is thought to have died. 2. Begum Hazrat Mahal: Begum, one of the younger queens of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah, was a freedom fighter who made major contributions to the revolt of 1857. She took command of the revolt from Lucknow. She took charge of the affairs of the state after the British annexed it in 1856, exiling the nawab, and leaving the kingdom without a leader, in a chaotic mess. She crowned her son, Birjis Qadr, as the royal heir of Awadh. Ultimately, she escaped to Nepal with her son and a clutch of followers under adverse circumstances in 1859. She maintained her opposition through 20 years of exile in Nepal, until she died in 1879. 3. Veer Kuwar Singh: At the age of 80, Kuwar Singh was the chief organiser from the Bhojpur region of Bihar against the British East India Company during the revolt. He led the siege of Aarah for eight days. He was a master of guerrilla warfare and was able to elude the British for quite some time. At the battle of Jagdishpur, April 23, 1858, he was able to win back his homeland from the Britishers. He died of injuries, passing on the mantle to his successor and brother Amar Singh II. 4. Rani Laxmibai: Rani Laxmibai, original name Manikarnika, was born in Varanasi, was the leader of the revolt from Jhansi. In 1842, she was married to the Maharaja of Jhansi, Gangadhar Rao Newalkar. The couple adopted a son, Damodar Rao. However, after the death of the Maharaja, the British East India Company refused to recognise his claim to the throne under the Doctrine of Lapse. It became the factor for Rani to join the rebellion. In 1858, General Hugh Rose arrived in Jhansi leading his forces. It is then that Rani Laxmibai decided to take up arms to arms to defend her state. 5. Khan Bahadur Khan: The city of Bareilly was one of the strongholds during the rebellion of 1857 and remained so for nearly a year. Here, the resistance was led by an 82-year-old Khan Bahadur Khan. He put up a strong fight against Sir Colin Campbell, who was then the Commander-in-Chief of the British Army and marching towards Bareilly. In an action that lasted for nearly six hours and nearly cost the renowned war correspondent his life, the British forces were successful in making Khan's force retreat and take over the city. 6. Maulvi Liaqat Ali: He took control of the uprising from Allahabad. He enforced law and order in the city and made Khusro Bagh as his military operational headquarters. In 1872, he was arrested at Bombay Railway Station by British officials and was sentenced to transportation for life to the penal settlement of Andaman. (1) What was/were the object/objects of Queen Victoria's Proclamation (1858)? (UPSC CSE 2014) 1. To disclaim any intention to annex Indian States. 2. To place the Indian administration under the British Crown. 3. To regulate the East India Company's trade with India. Select the correct answer using the code given below. (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 (2) Consider the following pairs: Which of the following pairs is/are correct? (a) 1 and 4 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1, 3 and 4 only (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4 (Source: Remembering Mangal Pandey, and the legacy of the revolt he inspired, Knowledge Nugget: Why is the Revolt of 1857 important for UPSC? ) Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – IndianExpress UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X. 🚨 Click Here to read the UPSC Essentials magazine for July 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at Khushboo Kumari is a Deputy Copy Editor with The Indian Express. She has done her graduation and post-graduation in History from the University of Delhi. At The Indian Express, she writes for the UPSC section. She holds experience in UPSC-related content development. You can contact her via email: ... Read More
CBC
5 days ago
- Science
- CBC
New docuseries episode assisted by N.B. right whale researchers
Researchers from the University of New Brunswick and Dalhousie University had a hand in a new Apple TV+ documentary series that delves into the world's most dangerous animals. The researchers helped filmmakers get a closeup look at the North Atlantic right whale.
Global News
22-05-2025
- General
- Global News
Halifax heritage building slated for demolition saved by appeal court decision
A century-old Victorian home in south-end Halifax has been saved from the wrecking ball, thanks to a Nova Scotia Court of Appeal decision. The battle surrounding the 128-year-old house at 1245 Edward St. has been long and mired in legal proceedings. Sandra Barrs, the past president of the Heritage Trust of Nova Scotia, applauds the court's latest decision and believes the house has a history worth saving. She says everything about the home — from its small turret to its arched windows — offers a glimpse into the past. 'It has been part of the fabric of this neighbourhood for (nearly) 130 years,' she said. Dalhousie University originally bought the lot in July 2021 for $1 million with the intention of demolishing the Victorian home. Story continues below advertisement The next year, the university told Halifax council the house would require significant costs to fix — something the university didn't want to take on. The university received a demolition permit in July 2022, despite a grassroots effort by neighbours to block it. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'A neighbourhood group, the Halifax University Neighbourhood Association, got involved,' said Barrs. 'They didn't want to see the property simply demolished because there was no plan to do anything with it, just simply demolish it and leave the lot vacant.' In October 2022, municipal councillors voted to add the lot to its Registry of Heritage Properties, prompting Dalhousie to file a notice for a judicial review. 2:03 N.S. judge puts end to Halifax's heritage designation for south end property A Nova Scotia Supreme Court ruling in November 2023 put an end to the heritage designation, and stated council had wrongly decided that a heritage registration could be granted to a group other than the property owner. Story continues below advertisement 'There is a reasonable apprehension of an attitude of closed-mindedness at the (Heritage Advisory Committee) level, and a reasonable apprehension of bias at the HRM Council level – a bread-crumb trail that led to a clearly unreasonable result,' Justice Peter Rosinski wrote in part. That led the municipality to seek a judicial review from the Court of Appeal, which dismissed the university's claims and said the council's decision was fair and reasonable. The province's highest court also confirmed that Halifax council could award heritage status to a property following a request by a party other than the property's owner. 'We were happy to read not only that the allegations of procedural unfairness were dismissed, but more importantly, that third party registrations of heritage structures was accepted as being with merit,' said Barrs. In a statement to Global News, a Dalhousie University spokesperson said, 'we accept the appeal court's decision.' 'Dalhousie remains committed to finding the right balance between preservation of our most iconic buildings and development that supports continued university and municipal growth,' wrote Michael Fleury. — with a file from The Canadian Press
Time of India
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Who is Anita Anand? Indian-origin appointed as Canada's foreign minister
(Source: X) Anita Anand , the Indian-origin Canadian politician , has been appointed as Canada's new foreign minister in a major Cabinet reshuffle by Prime Minister Mark Carney . Anand replaces Mélanie Joly in the role and previously served as the country's defence minister. She took her oath with her hand on the Bhagavad Gita, a tradition she has followed in previous Cabinet appointments as well. The 58-year-old was born in Nova Scotia to Indian immigrant parents—her mother from Punjab and her father from Tamil Nadu. She has built a strong career in law, teaching, and public service. Before entering politics, she worked as a corporate lawyer and joined an Ontario government expert panel in 2015. She was elected MP from Oakville in 2019 and served as minister of public services and procurement during the Covid-19 pandemic, later becoming defence minister. Anand is married to Canadian lawyer and business executive John Knowlton, and they have four children. Although she had recently announced plans to step away from politics, the fall of former PM Trudeau's government and Carney's rise brought her back into leadership. Anand holds four degrees, including a BA in Political Studies from Queen's University (gold medallist), a BA in Jurisprudence from Oxford, a law degree from Dalhousie, and a Master of Laws from the University of Toronto. The reshuffle comes as Carney builds his newly elected Liberal government. His Cabinet includes 28 ministers and introduces secretaries of state, aiming to signal a fresh start from the Trudeau era. Anand became the first Hindu to serve in Canada's federal Cabinet in 2019. She has earned praise for her disciplined and focused approach, especially during her time at the defence ministry. Carney's appointments balance experience and diversity, with women making up half of the Cabinet. The changes come amid tense Canada-US relations . Carney has promised to stand firm against US President Donald Trump, particularly on trade. In a statement, Carney said the Cabinet was chosen to 'deliver the change Canadians want and need.' Anand visited the Vaishno Devi Temple in Oakville on Mother's Day. She posted on X: "It warmed my heart to see so many families across #Oakville coming to celebrate and remember our mothers together."
CBC
14-04-2025
- Health
- CBC
Thinking about getting a tattoo? Here's what you should know
Tattooing services are regulated and largely considered safe, but there's a growing group of experts concerned over links between tattoo ink and allergic reactions, as well as potential associations between tattoos and certain kinds of cancer. Current evidence largely shows associations — not causation — with cancer, but experts say people should be aware that tattoos do come with a small amount of risk, even if more research is needed to determine the severity of that risk. What are the risks of getting a tattoo? Tattoos are permanent because they're formed when a needle containing ink pierces skin and deposits the pigment in the dermis — the skin's middle layer — according to Dalhousie University dermatologist Dr. Kerri Purdy. The needle being dipped into ink and then penetrating the skin increases the risk of certain infections — like mycobacterial infections — as well as introduces the possibility of spreading diseases like hepatitis and HIV. "That said, the risk is exceedingly low, with people and tattoo parlours being very careful about that," said Purdy, division head of clinical dermatology and cutaneous science at Dalhousie's school of medicine. A 2025 two-part series on tattoo-associated infections published in the Lancet Microbe found that the risk of infection ranged from study to study. In general, roughly one to six per cent of tattooed people experienced a microbial infection after receiving a tattoo, though it's not uncommon for people to experience minor skin elevation or itchiness after a fresh tattoo. Tattoo infections are often mild to moderate, with the second paper in the two-part series explaining that tattooing can lead to life-threatening infections in "rare and extreme cases." Purdy says people can develop allergic reactions to compounds present in the ink itself, once the ink makes it into our skin. Western University chemist Yolanda Hedberg's 2021 study analyzed more than 70 tattoo ink samples, finding traces of potentially harmful metals like nickel and chromium in almost all of the samples tested. Arsenic, mercury and lead all turned up in one sample each. The study samples were collected both in-person and online from vendors in Sweden, but many of the ink samples were fabricated in the U.S. and are commonly available in many countries, including Canada. The study found that 93 per cent of the inks tested violated European labelling requirements. Researchers concluded that 61 per cent of inks contained "pigments of concern," but found that the level of metal exceeded restriction limits in "only a few cases." Hedberg added that the ingredients listed on an ink bottle didn't always match up with the actual ingredients in the ink itself. Different tattoo inks also present different levels of risk, she says. For example, certain red inks contain azo dyes, increasing the allergic risk. Azo dyes are synthetic and do not occur naturally. Many are non-toxic, though some azo dyes are mutagens and carcinogens. While tattoo allergies can develop within days of inking, Hedberg says it's not uncommon for tattoo allergies to develop after several weeks or even months, rather than immediately after inking. The delay likely occurs because it takes time for the body to identify the tattoo as foreign material that needs to be removed. "Generally, you would notice an allergic reaction within three months," she said. Mild cases of tattoo allergies can be treated using topical steroid creams. More significant or swollen allergic reactions can be treated using corticosteroidal injections, while very severe reactions can require medications like prednisone, according to Purdy. What does the research show about cancer? A small number of studies have tracked a potential association between tattoos and the development of certain cancers, including melanoma and lymphoma. A 2025 study of Danish twins found that the risk of skin cancer was 1.62 times higher among people with tattoos. The study looked at twins where one sibling had a tattoo and the other didn't, comparing the health of each twin. The study sampled 2,367 randomly selected twins and a control group of 316 twins, all born between 1960 and 1996. The risk was determined for tattoos that were larger than the palm of a hand. The study identified the lack of information on sun exposure as a possible limitation. Additionally, the study didn't look at factors like how many cigarettes were smoked by study participants. Another study published in the Lancet in 2024 compared almost 1,400 people who had lymphoma to almost 4,200 people who didn't, finding that 21 per cent of the people with lymphoma had tattoos. Nonetheless, the 2024 study found an association, not direct causation. The authors concluded that more research is needed to establish causality. McGill University dermatologist Dr. Elena Netchiporouk says the core compound required to produce black ink — a compound known as carbon black — is a possible carcinogen derived in part from the incomplete combustion of petroleum products. "We know that [carbon black] has very strong proof that it can cause cancer in humans," said Netchiporouk, speaking with The Dose 's Dr. Brian Goldman. Netchiporouk — who wasn't involved in the 2025 Danish study or the 2024 Lancet study — cautioned that current carcinogenic evidence comes from research on ingesting carbon black, not from injecting it into our skin. She also said darker tattoos can also make it difficult to monitor for signs of skin cancer — especially if tattoos cover up moles. It's not clear whether the size of someone's tattoos increase their cancer risk. Netchiporouk says more research is necessary to determine the true cancer risk associated with tattoo inks. What should I do if I'm worried? Purdy recommends that anyone interested in getting a tattoo visit a reputable tattoo shop. Tattoo parlours are regulated by provincial and territorial governments in Canada, while tattoo inks are subject to cosmetic regulations under the federal Food and Drugs Act. "It is the responsibility of the manufacturer or importer to meet the requirements of the Food and Drugs Act and Cosmetic Regulations and ensure that the product they are selling is safe," Health Canada wrote in an email statement. Still, Hedberg says Canada's tattoo regulations are less stringent than Europe's rules. WATCH | Why doesn't New Brunswick have regulations for tattoo shops? Why doesn't New Brunswick have regulations for tattoo shops? 1 year ago Duration 3:16 With the popularity of tattoos growing, one New Brunswick tattoo artist is sounding the alarm over the lack of provincial regulations governing the practice. The EU banned in 2022 thousands of chemicals used in tattoo inks, which has affected certain blue and green pigments. "In Canada, you can still tattoo all colours and they are not restricted here just yet," said Hedberg. Netchiporouk says laser tattoo removal is usually a safe option. However, she notes that the azo dyes typically present in red inks can undergo transformation because they're sensitive to ultraviolet radiation, as well as laser removal. "They can transform into other chemicals in the skin, which can become more likely allergenic," said Netchiporouk. Due to the questions surrounding tattoos, Netchiporouk isn't interested in getting one any time soon.
