Regretting the lack of awareness among the youth about the country's freedom struggle, External Affairs Minister Pranab Muherjee Friday called for all-round efforts to inculcate a knowledge of history among the masses.

"The young generation is not fully aware of the heroic sacrifices of freedom fighters that paved the way for our independence," Mukherjee said after inaugurating the Bharat Kranti Utsav.

The function was held to commemorate the Battle of Plassey and the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857.

Mukherjee said Plassey was a story of treachery by the likes of Mirzaffar that brought about the downfall of Nawab Siraj-ud Daula, but it also portrayed the patriotism of Mir Madan and Mohanlal, two brave generals of the Nawab.

The Sepoy Mutiny was not a mere rebellion, but the culmination of the ire among Indians against over 100 years of rule by the East India Company.

"The martyrdom of sepoy Mangal Pandey at Barrackpore is a saga of heroism. We can be justly proud of him. And commemorative programmes on Plassey and Sepoy Mutiny will only help in enriching the knowledge of history of the young generation," he said.