Mangal Pandey

Mangal Pandey was an Indian soldier in the British East India Company who played a pivotal role in the early Indian resistance against British rule. In March 1857, he sparked the Sepoy Mutiny, a rebellion by Indian soldiers, due to grievances over unfair treatment and the use of new rifle cartridges rumored to be greased with animal fat, which offended religious beliefs. His actions ignited a widespread uprising that aimed to end British control. While the revolt ultimately failed, it marked a significant step towards India's struggle for independence, earning Pandey recognition as a national hero.