On March 15, 1848, the revolutionary wave sweeping across Europe reached Pest-Buda and achieved victory without bloodshed. It was on this day that the "12 points" articulating demands against the Austrians were formulated, and it was also the day when Sándor Petőfi recited the National Song on the terrace of the Pilvax Café.
The precursor to the revolution was Count István Széchenyi's work "Credit," published in 1830, which ignited the already stirring reformists desiring to abolish the outdated, exploitative feudal system and to break free from the Habsburg house. The key provisions of Széchenyi's program included the officialization of the Hungarian language, the emancipation of serfs, the establishment of a national government with an independent Hungarian parliament, union with Transylvania, press freedom, the introduction of shared public burdens, and the abolition of feudal constraints. Following the revolution, the War of Independence against the Austrians began, aiming to assert national sovereignty and establish a civil Hungary.
Pre-Trianon Hungary was a multi-ethnic state, encompassing numerous nations living in the Carpathian Basin today. Therefore, it is natural that not only those who identified themselves as Hungarians took part in the 1848-49 revolution and War of Independence, but also members of other nationalities, including Roma people.
Ferenc Sárközi fought as a soldier in the 47th battalion, along with his Roma band. The author of "Szózat," Béni Egressy, financed Sárközi to have his band provide musical service to encourage the weary soldiers. Lajos Kossuth appointed Ferenc Sárközi as the "chief conductor of all Roma musicians" participating in the War of Independence, and later promoted him to the rank of lieutenant.
József Pityó from the Upper Lands served in the army of General Artúr Görgey, to which he volunteered. Pityó's music was attributed with mystical power, and it was believed that Hungarian soldiers who heard it were imbued with otherworldly strength, inspiring them to fight with boundless courage.
Among the discourses about the Roma in the 1848-49 revolution and War of Independence, there is a myth that many dispute and do not substantiate, yet a large Roma group, the Gabor Roma, define their origin story based on this. Székelyföld's Gabor Aron was one of the most famous figures of the revolution: he served as a cannon founder and artillery lieutenant. Due to their family name, some of the Gabor Roma believe they are descendants of Gabor Aron, and as a result, they are very proud of their Gabor surname.
