This Day in History: March 29

Sepoy Mutiny: A Spark that Ignited a Nation’s Fight

March 29th holds a significant place in Indian history. In 1857, on this day, Mangal Pandey, a sepoy (soldier) in the East India Company’s 34th Bengal Regiment, shot and killed a British officer. This act of defiance is considered the spark that ignited the Sepoy Rebellion, the first major uprising against British rule in India. Many brave warriors sacrificed their lives in this fight for freedom.

Nandamuri Tarakarama Rao: From Silver Screen to Political Arena

This day also marks the foray of legendary Telugu actor N.T. Rama Rao into politics. On March 29, 1982, he founded the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), capitalizing on the slogan “Atma Gourava” (Self-respect) of the Telugu people. His party’s meteoric rise saw him becoming the Chief Minister within nine months of the party’s formation. Furthermore, the TDP registered a landslide victory in the Lok Sabha elections that year, winning 35 out of 42 seats.

Also Read: This Day in History: March 28

Hanumant Singh: A Cricketing Legend is Born

March 29th also celebrates the birth anniversary of Indian cricketer Hanumant Singh, born in 1939. He played 14 Test matches for India between 1964 and 1969. Following his playing career, he served with distinction as a match referee for the International Cricket Council from 1995 to 2002, officiating in 9 Test matches and 54 ODI matches.

Death Anniversary of Sardar Jamalapuram Keshava Rao

Sardar Jamalapuram Keshava Rao, a prominent leader in the Telangana liberation struggle against the Nizam’s rule, is also remembered on this day. Born in 1908 in the Khammam district, he was a true champion of the people, inspiring them to fight against injustice. His unwavering leadership earned him the title of “Sardar” of Telangana. He actively participated in all movements against the Nizam rulers until his death in 1953.

Also Read: This Day in History: March 27

Other Glimpses from World History on March 29

• 1790: Birth of John Tyler, the 10th President of the United States.
• 1799: New York State enacts a law for the gradual abolition of slavery.
• 1913: Birth of Bhavani Prasad, a celebrated Hindi poet and recipient of the Sahitya Akademi Award.
• 1967: France launches its first nuclear submarine.
• 2004: Ireland becomes the world’s first nation to ban smoking in all workplaces.
• 2008: Earth Hour, a global initiative to raise awareness about climate change, is observed for the first time in 370 cities worldwide.