Norgate
Explanation
Historical accounts of the Revolt of 1857 include personal memoirs from soldiers and civilians. Sitaram Pande was a sepoy in the Bengal Native Infantry who served the English East India Company for 48 years, retiring in 1860. His memoirs provide a rare insider perspective on the life of a sepoy and the events leading up to the rebellion.Detailed Analysis:
- Sitaram Pande wrote his memoirs in the Awadhi language upon the encouragement of his commanding officer, Norgate.
- Lieutenant-Colonel Norgate translated these memoirs into English and published them under the title From Sepoy to Subedar.
- The text is significant because it highlights the conflicts of loyalty faced by Indian sepoys and their grievances regarding pay, promotion, and religious interference.
- Vishnubhatt Godse is a different historical figure known for writing Majha Pravas (My Travels), a Marathi travelogue that documents his experiences during the 1857 Revolt.
Key Takeaway:
Lieutenant-Colonel Norgate translated Sitaram Pande's Awadhi memoirs into English as From Sepoy to Subedar, a key primary source for understanding the sepoy's perspective during the 1857 Revolt.