* Mangal Pandey was born on July 29, 1827 in Nagwa village of Ballia district, Uttar Pradesh

* He was a soldier in the 34th Bengal Native Infantry of the British East India Company

* His mutiny against British officers triggered the 1857 War of Independence

* Pandey revolted against his officers on March 29, 1857, while stationed at Barrackpore in Bengal

* He was put on trial, where he accepted to have mutinied of his own accord

* He was hanged on April 18

* As word spread of Pandey's actions and consequent trial and execution, several regiments across India witnessed similar revolts against British officers

* Pandey's actions were regarded as one of the earliest manifestations of Indian nationalism, and inspired many associated with the freedom movement

* Modern scholars contend that the Barrackpore incident was isolated, with no motivation for a widespread anti-British revolt

* Pandey's legend has been captured in several literary and film works

(Sources: Various)

