Shaikh Paltu
Encyclopedia
Shaikh Paltu was a soldier (sepoy
) with the British East India Company
, serving 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 revolted and attacked his British officers, it was Shaikh Paltu who saved the life of the adjutant by attacking Mangal Pandey. The 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".
By that time an English sergeant-major had arrived at the scene and attacked Pandey. He was however overpowered by Pandey. While other sepoys looked on, Shaikh Paltu continued to defend the two British officers, calling upon other sepoys to join him. The sepoys, with obvious sympathy for Pandey, chose to remain inactive. Some are reported to have attacked their officers with the butts of their musket
s. The sepoys however threatened Shaikh Paltu asking him to let go of Mangal Pandey. Paltu however "continued to cling to him" until the British officers had time to rise.
General Hearsey, who by now was at the scene, promoted Shaikh Paltu then and there to the post of a Havaldar
(native sergeant). Other sepoys did not take any active measure to support their comrade Mangal Pandey, who may have been acting in concert with at least some others, if not all, if his speech to the sepoys on the spot is any indicator. The sepoys however seem to have developed cold feet at the last moment. Another possibility is that Pandey acted hastily and too early so that the sepoys were not yet (mentally) prepared for an open conflict with the British.
The complete regiment, with the natural exception of Shaikh Paltu, was disbanded on May 6 of the same year "with every show of disgrace", as Malleson calls it. Shaikh Paltu was promoted to the rank of Jemadar
in the Bengal Army.
Sepoy
A sepoy was formerly the designation given to an Indian soldier in the service of a European power. In the modern Indian Army, Pakistan Army and Bangladesh Army it remains in use for the rank of private soldier.-Etymology and Historical usage:...
) with the British East India Company
British East India Company
The East India Company was an early English joint-stock company that was formed initially for pursuing trade with the East Indies, but that ended up trading mainly with the Indian subcontinent and China...
, serving 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
Mangal Pandey
Mangal Pandey was a sepoy in the 34th Regiment of the Bengal Native Infantry of the English East India Company. He is widely known in India as one of its first freedom fighters...
of the same regiment revolted and attacked his British officers, it was Shaikh Paltu who saved the life of the adjutant by attacking Mangal Pandey. The sepoys of the quarter guard
Quarter guard
The quarter guard is a military depot in an Indian Army unit. The quarter guard is the main point of security arrangements for the army camp/garrison. The regimental colours, the armoury and the treasury would be kept in this building...
on duty and others present refused to take any action against their comrade and remained as "idle spectators of a murderous assault".
By that time an English sergeant-major had arrived at the scene and attacked Pandey. He was however overpowered by Pandey. While other sepoys looked on, Shaikh Paltu continued to defend the two British officers, calling upon other sepoys to join him. The sepoys, with obvious sympathy for Pandey, chose to remain inactive. Some are reported to have attacked their officers with the butts of their musket
Musket
A musket is a muzzle-loaded, smooth bore long gun, fired from the shoulder. Muskets were designed for use by infantry. A soldier armed with a musket had the designation musketman or musketeer....
s. The sepoys however threatened Shaikh Paltu asking him to let go of Mangal Pandey. Paltu however "continued to cling to him" until the British officers had time to rise.
General Hearsey, who by now was at the scene, promoted Shaikh Paltu then and there to the post of a Havaldar
Havildar
Havildar ) was the Military 'In Charge' of a Fort during the times of Maratha Empire. In the British Indian Army it was equivalent rank to Sergeant, next above Naik, and is still used in the modern Indian Army and Pakistan Army. The cavalry equivalent is Daffadar...
(native sergeant). Other sepoys did not take any active measure to support their comrade Mangal Pandey, who may have been acting in concert with at least some others, if not all, if his speech to the sepoys on the spot is any indicator. The sepoys however seem to have developed cold feet at the last moment. Another possibility is that Pandey acted hastily and too early so that the sepoys were not yet (mentally) prepared for an open conflict with the British.
The complete regiment, with the natural exception of Shaikh Paltu, was disbanded on May 6 of the same year "with every show of disgrace", as Malleson calls it. Shaikh Paltu was promoted to the rank of Jemadar
Jemadar
Jemadar was a rank used in the British Indian Army, where it was the lowest rank for a Viceroy's Commissioned Officer . Jemadars either commanded platoons or troops themselves or assisted their British commander...
in the Bengal Army.
Suggested readings
- Malleson, G.B., The Indian Mutiny of 1857, pp. 36-39, Delhi, Rupa & Co. publishers, 2005 (first published: 1890)