The Trial of Sepoy Mangal Pandey

On the 6th of April, 1857, Sepoy #1446, Mangal Pandey was tried by court-martial at Barrackpore. Although still poorly from his self-inflicted gunshot wound and the assistant surgeon T.B. Reid, 53rd Regiment deemed the wound as presenting an unhealthy appearance and Pandey himself as weak and “much debilitated,” the assistant surgeon of the 34th Regiment, James Allen, certified him fit for trial. Both certifications were given on the same day; while Reid was certainly cautious, he too granted that Pandey could be removed to the mess-house of the 34th Regiment.
The court proceedings have been transcribed, verbatim.


Inclosure 10 in No. 9

PROCEEDINGS in continuation of a native General Court-martial assembled at Fort William, by order of Major General J. B. Hearsey, C.B., Commanding the Presidency Division, for the trial of sepoys Boodhlal Tewary and Bahadoor Sing, 2nd Regiment, Native (Grenadier) Infantry) and all such prisoners as may be duly brought before it, and re-assembled at Barrackpore on Monday, the 6th of April 1857, by order of the Major-General, for the trial of Sepoy Mungul Pandy, 34th Regiment, native Infantry, and all prisoners who may be brought before it.

PRESIDENT:
Subadar-Major JOWAHIR LALL TEWARY, 43rd Regiment, Native Infantry

MEMBERS:
Subadar BHOLA OPADHIA, 17th Regiment, Native Infantry.
Subadar HURRUCK SING, 40th Regiment, Native Infantry.
Subadar RAM SING, 9th Battalion, Artillery.
Subadar AMANUT KHAN, 37th Regiment, Native Infantry.
Subadar SEWUMBUR PANDY, 34th Regiment, Native Infantry.
Subadar DIRGA RAM 70th Regiment, Native Infantry.
Subadar KOODA BUKSH, 2nd Regiment, Native (Grenadier) Infantry.
Subadar MEERWAN SING, 70th Regiment, Native Infantry.
Subadar SOOKHLAL MISR, 43rd Regiment, Native Infantry.
Slibalar AJOODHIA TEWARY, 70th Regiment, Native Infantry.
Subadar JALIM SING, 43rd Regiment, Native Infantry.
Jemadar DEWAN ALLIE, 9th Battalion, Artillery.
Jcmadar MOHUN SING, 65th Regiment, Native Infantry.
Jemadar LALLA RAM BUKSH, 8th Regiment, Native Infantry.

JUDGE ADVOCATE:
Captain G.C. HATCH, Deputy Judge Advocate-General, Presidency Division
INTERPRETER:
Lieutenant JAMES VALLINGS, 19th Regiment, Native Infantry.

The Court re·assembled at the Mess House of the 34th Regiment, Native Infantry, at Barrackpore, at 11 A.M., the President, Members, Judge Advocate, Interpreter all being present.

Lieutenant and Brevet-Colonel, S. G. Wheler Commanding the 34th Regiment, Native Infantry, being appointed Prosecutor, takes his place in Court.
Mungul Pandy, sepoy, No.1446, 5th Company, 34th Regiment, Native Infantry, is brought a prisoner into Court.
The Division Orders directing the re-assembly of the Court-martial at Barrackpore, and the Station Order directing the hour and place of the Court’s assembly, are produced and read. The names of the President and Members of the Court are read over to the prisoner.

BY THE JUDGE-ADVOCATE
Question-Sepoy Mungul Pandy, do you object to being tried by the President or by any of the Members of this Court-martial?
Answer-No, I do not object.
The Interpreter, President, Members, and Judge Advocate make the prescribed solemn affirmation.
The following charge is read:-
Mungul Pandy, sepoy, No. 1446, 5th Company, 34th Regiment, Native Infantry, confined by order of Major-General J. B. Hearsey, Commanding the Presidency Division, on the following charges:-

1st– For mutiny, in having at Barrackpore, on the 29th March 1857, gone on to the parade ground in front of the quarter-guard of his regiment armed with a sword and musket, and then and there used words tending to incite the men of his regiment to tum out and join him in resistance to lawful authority.
2nd – For having, on the occasion set forth in the first charge, used violence against his superior officers. Sergeant Major James Thornton Hewson and Lieutenant and Adjutant Bempde Henry Baugh, of the 34th Regiment Native Infantry, by discharging at them, severally, his loaded musket and then and there striking and wounding with his sword the said Lieutenant B. H. Baugh and Sergeant-Major J. T. Hewson.
By order of the Major-General Commanding Presidency Division.
ASST. ADJ,. GENL’S OFFICE
(Sd) A.H.ROSS Asst. Adjt-Genl., Presy.Divn.
Barrackpore
The 5th April 1857.

BY THE JUDGE-ADVOCATE
Question – Scpoy Mungul Pandy, No. 1446, 5th Company, 34th Regiment, Native Infantry, – How say you, are you guilty, or not guilty, of these charges?
Answer – Not guilty.
The handcuffs are removed from the prisoner.

PROSECUTION
1st Witness
Lieutenant and Brevet-Colonel S. G. Wheler, Commanding the 34th Regiment, Native Infantry, the Prosecutor, is sworn.

BY THE JUDGE ADVOCATE
Question – You commanded the 34th Regiment, Native Infantry?
Answer – Yes.
Question– On the 29th March last, did you go down to the quarter guard of your regiment?
Answer -Yes.
Question – Why did you go?
Answer – Captain Drury drove up to my house in the afternoon of that day, informing me that a man, a sepoy, had gone out in front, inciting the men to mutiny. I proceeded with him to the parade – the lines I mean.
Question-What did you observe there?
Answer – I observed the sepoy in front, the prisoner, walking parallel with the lines in front of the quarter-guard armed with a musket and sword. I proceeded in rear of the bells-of-arms to the quarter-guard. I did so, as several men about told me if I went in front of the bells-of-arms I should be shot. On arriving at the quarter-guard, it having been reported to me that the prisoner had wounded Lieutenant Baugh and the sergeant-major, I directed three or four men of the quarter-guard to load. They did load. I then directed the whole of the guard to load and ordered the native officer in command of the guard
to seize the prisoner. He hesitated and said that the men would not touch the prisoner. I repeated the order two or three times, when he gave the order to advance. The guard did so a few paces, and then halted, and he, the native officer, returned and said the men would not advance. As the Brigadier was on the parade, I went and reported the matter to him. To the best of my recollection, the General came up to the flank of the 34th Regiment, and after a few words with the Brigadier, he rode to the quarter-guard accompanied by several officers who were present at the time. The General directed the native officer to bring his guard in front. 1’hey advanced a few paces when the prisoner shot himself.
Question – Where was the sepoy, Mungul Pandy, during these occurrences, and what was he doing 1
Answer – He was walking up and down the parade parallel with the lines, about a hundred yards from the quarter-guard.
Question – Did you hear him say anything?
Answer – He spoke something; but I could not distinguish what he said.
Question -Did you observe the sergeant-major of the regiment and the adjutant?
Answer – No.
Question – Has there been of late anything unusual in the state of some of the sepoys of this station?
Answer –Towards the latter end of January there was much talking amongst the sepoys, I understood, generally, of the new cartridges being made up, and in consequence they had an idea that we were going to make them Christians by force.
Question – Were any and what measures adopted by the Major-General Commanding the Division, within your knowledge, to allay this feeling?
Answer –There was a general parade ordered on the 9th of February of the whole of the troops off duty at the station when the General addressed them about the new cartridge paper.
Question- On the 29th March had any European troops arrived at this station?
Answer – A few were reported to be at the ghat, the Flag-staff Ghat, at this station.
Question – Were not the 19th Regiment, Native Infantry, expected to arrive about that time in this station?
Answer – Yes.
Question – Was it made known to the native troops at this station for what purpose that regiment was to be marched in?
Answer – At the general parade, on the 18th March, the General informed the troops that the 19th Regiment, Native Infantry, would be disbanded on account of what took place at Berhampore.
The prisoner declined to cross-examine.

The Court now rose and proceeded to the bungalow of the sergeant major, 43rd Regiment, Native Infantry, in order to take the evidence of Sergeant-Major J. T. Hewson, 34th Regiment, Native Infantry, reported not to be in a fit state to attend at the Court, the prisoner and all parties being present.

2nd Witness
Sergeant-Major J. T Hewson, 34th Regiment, Native Infantry, is duly sworn.

BY THE PROSECUTOR
Question – What are your Christian names?
Answer – James Thornton.
Question – Will you state the occurrences of the 29th of March last?
Answer – Between the hours of four and six on the 29th of March, the naick of the quarter-guard of the 34th Regiment, Native Infantry, Emam Khan, No. 5Company, came to my bungalow and reported that Sepoy Mungul Pandy of No. 5 Company had armed himself with his musket loaded, and was walking about in front of the quarter-guard. He said that Mungul Pandy had taken a quantity of bhang, an intoxicating drug. I ordered the naick to report the circumstance to the adjutant of the regiment. I then
went on the parade dressed in uniform and with my sword.
On arriving in front of the light company’s bells-of-arms, a sepoy, regimentally dressed but with his dhotee on, no pantaloons, with coat and belt, took deliberate aim and fired at me. The shot did not take effect. I then went in rear of the bells-of-arms towards the quarter-guard, and on my way there called out to the guard to fall in. On arriving at the quarter-guard, I found some of the men dressing and some dressed. I spokc to the native officer, Jcmadar Issuree Pandy, in command of the quarter-guard j I asked him why he did not arrest the sepoy. He said -“What can I do, my naick is gone to the adjutant; the havildar is gone to the field officer; am I to take him myself?” I ordered him to fall in his guard, and load. Some of the men grumbled, and he never insisted on the men loading or falling in. I then placed a sentry on the right and the left of the quarter-guard to watch Mungul Pandy. I saw Jemadar Gunness Lalla, No.5 Company, and also Mookta Persad Pandy, color-havildar, of No. 5 Company. Jemadar Gunness Lalla spoke to Mungul Pandy, the prisoner now before me. I could not understand all he said, nor repeat it in Hindustani. What I heard Gunness Lalla, the jemadar, say was to give up his arms.
A little after I heard the sound of horses’ hoofs, and Lieutenant Baugh, the Adjutant, came riding up. The adjutant called out –“Where is he? Where is he?” I called out to him to look to his left, and then I said –” Sir, ride to the right for your life, the sepoy will fire at you.”
I then saw Mungul Pandy, the prisoner, present his piece and fire. The adjutant’s horse dropped. I saw
him take aim. Lieutenant Baugh then dismounted and drew a pistol from his holster and fired at Mungul Pandy, the prisoner. The shot did not take effect from what I could see. The adjutant then drew his sword and rushed towards Mungul Pandy, the prisoner. When I saw him do so, I drew my sword and followed him, at the same time calling out to the guard to load and come on. I believe we both came up at the same time in front of the prisoner. Mungul Pandy made a cut with a tulwar (native sword) at me, but did not strike me.
He struck the adjutant. The next cut I received myself from Mungul Pandy with his sword. At the same time, I was knocked down from behind by one or two blows from a sepoy’s musket. I could not recognize the features of the man who struck me; he was regimentally dressed. On rising up I advanced again towards the prisoner and caught him by the collar of the coat with the left hand. I struck him several times with my sword and received another cut from his tulwar. 1 was again knocked down from behind, and I remember being struck on the back and on the head when on the ground.
The second time 1 was knocked down, I was stupefied. On getting on my legs again, 1 saw a number of sepoys in front of the quarter-guard dressed. 1 also saw Lieutenant Baugh walking slowly towards the 43rd Regiment Native Infantry, lines. His jacket had much blood on it. 1 followed him. On coming near my own bungalow, I heard footsteps behind me, and on turning round 1 saw Jemadar Issllree Pandy of the quarterguard. 1 told him he had acted in a shameful manner, and that 1 would put him under arrest. I tried to grasp his sword, but he stepped back. His sword was in the scabbard. I then met my wife and stepdaughter, who brought me to the bungalow of the sergeant-major of the 43rd. 1 there saw Lieutenant Baugh, and then saw his hand much cut.
Question –Did you hear Sepoy Mungul Pandy, the prisoner, say anything when he was in front of the quarter-guard?
Answer – Yes.“Nikul ao, pultun; nikul ao hamara sath“-“Come out, men; come out and join me – You sent me out here, why don’t you follow me.”
Question – When the sepoy fired at you, did you hear the sound of a bullet passing or striking anything?
Answer – I heard the sound of a bullet close.
Question – Was any effort whatever made by the jemadar in command of, or men of, the quarter-guard to come to your aid?
Answer – I had no assistance; the men who came struck me and Lieutenant Baugh once. I saw Lieutenant Baugh struck with a musket from behind.
Question – Did you hear any shot fired after you had gone out to the front with Lieutenant Baugh?
Answer – Yes, from the direction of the lines behind me, quite close. I think the shot passed between me and Lieutenant Baugh.
Question – At what distance did this affair occur from the quarter-guard?
Answer – About thirty or forty yards.
Question – How many men came up to where you and Lieutenant Baugh were?
Answer – When I left the place where I was struck down, there were seven or eight men. They were regimentally dressed, and I believe they belonged to the quarter-guard.
Question – Why do you believe they belonged to the quarter-guard?
Answer – WhcnI left the quarter-guard to assist Lieutenant Baugh, the quarter-guard was dressed, and the time was too short for other men to dress themselves and come out; and the men going on picket wear blue pantaloons; these men had white pantaloons on. There was one man I recognized, but
I could not swear to him-Heeralall Tewary of that company, who struck me. He was on the quarter-guard.
Question – Did you see any men of the regiment assembled and looking on?
Answer – Yes, there was a great number looking on from between the bells-of-arms, chiefly on the left, because three of the right wing companies have gone to Chittagong.
Question – Did any of these men come out to assist?
Answer – I did not see one. All the time I was out I kept my eye on the prisoner.
Question – Did you hear the jemadar of the quarter-guard or the men say anything when you were near them?
Answer – No, they were talking between themselves.
Question – How many sword cuts did you receive?
Answer – Two on the head.
Question – Are you now suffering from these wounds?
Answer – Yes.
(The witness is very much exhausted, and is lying on the charpoy.)
The prisoner declines to cross-examine.

The Court now, at 3p.m., rose and proceeded to the quarter of Lieutenant B. H. Baugh, Adjutant, 34th Regiment, Native Infantry, reported unable to leave his quarters; the prisoner and all parties being present.

3rd Witness
Lieutenant B. H. Baugh, Adjutant, 34th Regiment, Native Infantry, is duly sworn.

BY THE PROSECUTOR
Question – You are Lieutenant Bempde Henry Baugh and Adjutant, 34th Regiment, Native Infantry?
Answer – Yes.
Question – Will you be so good as to state the occurrences of the 29th March last?
Answer – On Sunday week last, at about five o’clock in ‘the afternoon, the havildar-major of the regiment came to my quarters and reported that a sepoy of the name of Mungul Pandy, No.5 Company, had turned out in front of the quarter-guard of the regiment and fired at the sergeant-major. I told the man to go, and report the circumstance to Colonel Wheler, ordered my charger, put on my uniform, and after having put a brace of pistols in the holsters, I galloped down as hard as I could to the regimental quarter-guard.
I had scarcely pulled up at the quarter-guard when a shot was fired, and my horse fell under me. As soon as I could disentangle myself, I drew a pistol from the left holster, and on seeing the prisoner in the act of re-loading I fired. He stopped loading. I immediately drew my sword, and rushed in to secure him. I had proceeded about halfway when the prisoner drew a tulwar. I looked back to see where my horse was, intending to get my other pistol, but saw that he was gone; so continued my advance and engaged the prisoner. After a conflict of about, perhaps, five or eight minutes (during which time I received a sword cut which entirely disabled my left hand, from the prisoner, also a very deep wound on my neck, and another on my head; the last, however, I am not certain whether it was a sword cut or proceeded from the butt end of a musket a shot was fired close by: it came from the direction of the quarter-guard. On finding, myself gradually getting hemmed in, I commenced retreating.
During this time, with the exception of Shaik Pultoo, sepoy, Grenadier Company, not a man either from the regimental quarter-guard or from the lines advanced to my assistance. Shaik Pultoo held the prisoner and enabled me to make my retreat good. I reached the sergeant-major’s bungalow of the 43rd Regiment, Native (Light) Infantry, and from there was conveyed by Captain Wiggins to Dr. Allen’s, to have my wounds dressed.
Question – How far from the quarter-guard of the regiment did this take place?
Answer – My horse was shot at about, I should say, eight or nine paces from the quarter-guard of the regiment; and the conflict took place, I should say, about forty or fifty paces.
Question – Did you receive the wound in your neck also from the prisoner?
Answer – Yes.
Question – When you rode up, were many men standing in front and about the time?
Answer – A great number.
Question –Did you observe. whether any of the men who came up to you during the conflict were regimentally dressed?
Answer – I could not observe; I was so busily engaged in warding off the prisoner’s blows.
Question – Did the prisoner say anything when you were fighting with him?
Answer – Not that I recollect.
Question- Was your horse wounded with a bullet?
Answer – Yes.
Question – When your attention was first directed to the prisoner, where did you see him?
Answer – He was to my left, about fifty yards from me, in front of the quarter-guard.
The prisoner declines to cross-examine.

The Court returns to their first place of assembly, the 34th Regiment Mess House, the Court, prisoner, and Prosecutor all being present.

4th Witness
Drummer John Lewis, 34th Regiment, Native Infantry, is called into Court and duly affirmed.

BY THE PROSECUTOR.
Question – Were you on duty as bugler at the quarter-guard of your regiment at Barrackpore on Sunday, the 29th March last?
Answer – I was drummer of the guard.
Question – State what you saw in the afiernoon.
Answer – After four o’clock in the afternoon, the prisoner came towards the quarter-guard, crying out where is the bugler. Upon seeing me, he told me to sound the assembly. I did not obey through fear. He then pointed his musket at me. I did not then obey him; on seeing a sepoy near, he said to him, lowering his musket towards him,” Why are you not getting ready? It is for our religion.” He remained there for some time repeating the words “sound the assembly.” When the sergeant-major arrived after some
time, I saw from my place where I had sheltered myself that he fired his musket at the sergeant-major, who was advancing from the left wing. I don’t know where the ball struck. I heard the sound of the ball. About quarter of an hour afterwards the adjutant also arrived from the direction of the left wing. I saw the prisoner fire his musket at the adjutant and hit the horse. The horse dropped, and the adjutant, disengaging himself, went towards the prisoner on foot, with·a pistol in his hand. The sergeant major went also with him. The prisoner again fired his musket. I saw the prisoner also strike the sergeant-major and the adjutant with a sword.
Question – What did the jemadar- of the guard do all this time?
Answer – The jemadar went towards the rear guard.
Question – When the conflict was going on between the adjutant and sepoy, where was the jemadar of the quarter-guard?
Answer – He was present in the guard.
The witness appearing to be alarmed, is told not to be frightened.
Question – What did the jemadar of the’ guard do while the fight was going on?
Answer – He was standing amongst his guard. He did nothing.
Question – Did you go up with the guard to the place where the fight was going on?
Answer – I did not go.
Question – Did any of the guard go?
Answer – I did not see anyone go.
Question-Did sepoy Heeralall Tewary go or not?
Answer – I don’t know him.
Question – Did the jemadar and men of the guard go to where the fight was going on?
Answer – No. He did not go with the guard.
The prisoner declines to cross·examine.

BY THE COURT
Question – When Mungul Pandy, sepoy, came first to the guard, how near did he come up?
Answer – About some thirteen paces.
Question – Where was the jemadar then?
Answer – I was sewing, and did not see him.
Question – Do you know where he was?
Answer – He was inside the quarter-guard.
Question – Did anyone of the quarter-guard attempt to secure the prisoner?
Answer – No one attempted.
Question – Did the jemadar give any orders to secure the prisoner?
Answer – No, not any.
The witness withdraws.

5th Witness.
Havildar Shaik Pultoo, 34th Regiment, Native Infantry, is called into court and duly affirmed.

BY THE PROSECUTOR
Question – On the ’29th of March, you were a sepoy in the Grenadier Company, were you not, and are now promoted to havildar?
Answer – Yes; I am now havildar.
Question – Relate what you saw on the parade in the afternoon of the 29th March last.
Answer – About half-past three I had gone out to ease myself; and on returning to the lines, I observed Mungul Pandy in his coat and hat, and accoutrements and musket in his hand. He was shouting out_“Come out, you bhainchutes, the Europeans are here. From biting these cartridges, we shall become infidels. Get ready, turn out all of you.” He came out of his but,-I saw him,-and ordered the bugler to sound the assembly. The two drummers hid themselves. The sergeant-major came up, and the sepoy
then fired at him. The sergeant-major said to the jemadar of the quarter-guard-“See you have done
nothing, and he has shot at me.” Mungul Pandy was walking up and down in front of the quarter-guard, about thirty paces off.
Question – Did you see the adjutant come up?
Answer – Yes
Question – What happened then?
Answer – The adjutant came up and looked round him, and then the sepoy, Mungul Pandy, shot the horse in the left thigh.
Question – Did he take aim?
Answer – Yes.
Question – What happened then?
Answer – The horse fell. The adjutant then took a pistol out of one holster and said to me-“Shaik Pultoo, no one is assisting me, you come with me.” We then advanced, and the sergeant-major also. On reaching the sepoy, he struck the adjutant with his sword and wounded him in the hand, and afterwards the sergeant-major also on the head. ‘I’he sepoy struck them again. I then came up and caught him by the waist. He wounded me in the hand. The adjutant and the sergeant-major withdrew. The sepoys in uniform struck the adjutant and sergeant major also, who fell down, with the butts of their muskets.
Question – What sepoys were there?
Answer – Sepoys of the quarter-guard; they were in uniform.
Question – Do you know them?
Answer – No, I was twenty paces off. The adjutant was retreating when they struck him.
Question – How many sepoys were there in uniform?
Answer – I saw four.
Question – Did you hear any shot fired while the adjutant and sepoy were fighting?
Answer – Yes, from the direction of the guard. The ball passed the sergeant-major and adjutant.
Question – Did you see where it was fired from?
Answer – It came from behind me, and from the direction of the quarter-guard.
Question – Was Sepoy Mungul Pandy in an excited state?
Answer – He eats bhang; I don’t know if he had eaten any then.
Question – When the adjutant and sergeant-major retreated, what became of the sepoy, Mungul Pandy?
Answer – I had hold of him. I held him until the adjutant had gone off the ground. I called out to the jemadar of the guard, who was about thirty paces off, to send four sepoys to take charge of him.
Question – Did the jemadar send the sepoys to take charge of him?
Answer – No, not one.
Question – Did the jemadar give you any answer?
Answer – No; he was inside the quarter-guard.
Question – When did you release the sepoy?
Answer – When I could hold no longer. I was wounded.
Question – Did any sepoys interfere to make you let the man go?
Answer – Yes.
Question – Who were they?
Answer – Some of the quarter-guard.
Question – Name them?
Answer – I don’t know them. There was a crowd; they called out to me from inside the guard to let him go.
The witness withdraws.
The prosecution is closed.

The prisoner being called on for his defence says _” I did not know who I wounded and who I did not; what more shall I say? I have nothing more to say.”
The prisoner being asked, says –” I have no evidence.”
The defence is closed.
The Court is closed.

FINDING
The Court find the prisoner Mungul·Pandy, sepoy, No.1446, 5tb Company, 34th Regiment, Native Infantry, guilty of both charges preferred against him.
The Court is re-opened, and the prisoner brought before it. Captain C. C. Drury, 34th Regiment is called and sworn.
BY THE JUDGE ADVOCATE
Question – Has the prisoner been warned that his former convictions and general character will be brought in evidence against him?
Answer – There are no previous convictions; he has been warned as to his general character.
Question – What is the prisoner’s general character?
Answer – Good.
Question – What is his age and length of service?
Answer – His age is twenty-six years two months and nine days. His service is seven years two months and nine days.
The prisoner declines to cross-examine.
The Court is closed.

SENTENCE
The Court sentence the prisoner, Mungul Pandy, sepoy, No. 1446, 5th Company. 34th Regiment, Native Infantry, to suffer death by being hanged by the neck until he be dead.
Barrackpore, April 6th 1857
(Signature of President of the Court)
G.C. Hatch, Captain, Deputy Judge Advocate-General
James Vallings, Lieutenant, Interpreter.

Approved and confirmed.
J.B. Hearsey, Major-General, Commanding Presidency Division.
Barrackpore, April 7th, 1857

The execution· of Mungul Pandy, Sepoy. No. 1446, 5th Company, 34th Regiment, Native Infantry will take place on the brigade parade tomorrow morning. the 8th instant, at half-past five o’clock in presence
of all the troops off duty at the station.

The Court adjourned at 6.30 p.m. (G.C. Hatch, Captain, Deputy Judge Advocate-General)

Inclosure 11 in No. 9

AGREEABLY to instructions received from Major of Brigade, Field Officer and Interpreter of the week have proceeded to the quarter-guard of Her Majesty’s 53rd Regiment, put the following questions to, and received the following answers from, the prisoner of the 34th Native Infantry:-

Question – Have you anything to disclose, or do you wish to say anything?
Answer – No.
Question – Did you act on Sunday last by your own free will, or were you instructed by others?
Answer – Of my own will. I expected to die.
Question – Did you load your own musket to save your life?
Answer – No, I intended to take it.
Question – Did you intend to take the Adjutant’s life, or would you have shot anyone else?
Answer – I should have shot anyone who came.
Question – Were you under the influence of drugs?
Answer – Yes; I have been taking bhang and opium of late; but formerly never touched any drugs. I was not aware at the time of what I was doing.
The prisoner was asked frequently if he would give up the names of any connected with the occurrence and was given to understand that he had nothing to fear from his own regiment by disclosing anything, but he refused to state more than the above.
The sepoy attending him was removed from the tent during the investigation.
W.A. Cooke, Major, Field Officer of the week.
F.E. Chamier, Ensign, Interpreter and Quartermaser of the week
C. Grant, Brigadier, Commandant, Barrackpore

Inclosure 9 in No. 9
The Officiating Judge Advocate-General to Major-General Hearsey, Barrackpore, April 6, 1857
Sir,
I have the honor to make the following reports to you, in regard to the state of the votes of the officers forming the general court-martial on the trial of sepoy Mungul Pandy, 34th Regiment, Native Infantry. 1. That the verdict was carried by the votes of fourteen officers on the first charge and by the votes of fourteen officers on the second charge.
2. That eleven officers voted for the sentence of death.
I have &c., G.C. Hatch, Captain.

^{Sources:
Forrest, George W., ed. Selections from the Letters, Despatches and Other State Papers Preserved in the Military Department of the Government of India, 1857-58. Vol. I. Calcutta: Military Department Press, 1893.
Great Britain Parliament. Appendix to Papers Relative to the Mutinies in the East Indies (Inclosures in Nos. 7 to 19). London: Harrison and Sons, 1857.}

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