Agustin de Iturbide was a Mexican revolutionist and leader of the conservative faction of the Mexican independence movement who briefly served as the Emperor of Mexico. Iturbide commenced his career as the officer of the royalist army. He remained loyal to the Spanish cause and vowed to serve the same rather than join his cousin, Costilla’s insurgent army. It was his superb defence of Valladolid against the revolutionary forces that led him to take command of the military district of Guanajuato and Michoacán. Iturbide’s most important contribution came in with the Plan de Iguala which was published on February 24, 1821. Through it, he came up with three proposals which guaranteed immediate independence from Spain, equality for Spaniards and Creoles, and the supremacy of Roman Catholicism with a ban on all other religions. In 1822, he was made Emperor of Mexico. However, his supremacy did not last for even a year as he failed to establish peace and stability. Furthermore, opposition from all the parties led to Iturbide’s dethronement and eventual exile. He was later abducted and executed. Despite his failure as the Emperor of Mexico, Iturbide is regarded as one of the great heroes of the Mexican independence movement.