Mangal Pandey was a soldier in the British East India Company's army, born in 1827 in what is now India. He is best known for his role in the Indian Rebellion of 1857, which was one of the first major uprisings against British rule. His actions on March 29, 1857, when he attacked British officers, sparked widespread unrest among Indian soldiers and civilians. Pandey's rebellion is often seen as a catalyst for the larger revolt that followed, leading to significant changes in British colonial policies. He was captured and executed by the British, but his bravery made him a symbol of resistance and a national hero in India.