In History Today : Birth of Mangal Pandey [19 July 1827 ]

 Mangal Pandey was born on 19 July 1827 in Nagwa, a village of upper Ballia district, Uttar Pradesh, in a Bhumihar Brahmin family.[ He was an Indian soldier who played a key part in events immediately preceding the outbreak of the Indian rebellion of 1857.Mangal Pandey was a sepoy (private) in the 34th Bengal Native Infantry (BNI) regiment of the British East India Company. While contemporary British opinion considered him a traitor and mutineer, Pandey is widely regarded as a freedom fighter in modern India. In 1984, the Indian government issued a postage stamp to commemorate him. His life and actions have also been portrayed in several cinematic productions.

He joined the East India Company’s army in 1849 at the age of 22. Pandey was a soldier in the 6th Company of the 34th Bengal Native Infantry and is primarily known for his involvement in an attack on several of the regiment’s officers.