There were an incredible warrior and a female soldier named Jhalakari Bai, who lost in the pages of history. Jhalakari Bai had made important contributions to the war of Jhansi. He was known as Queen Laxmibai’s advisor. In fact, he was so courageous that during the battle of Jhansi, he fought himself as Queen Laxmibai. During the revolt of 1857, Jhalakari Bai had created fear in the heart of the British army with her bravery and courage.
Bio/Wiki | |
---|---|
Full Name | Jhalkari Bai |
Profession | Warrior |
Famous For | Important role in the Indian Rebellion of 1857 |
Personal Life | |
Date of Birth | 22 November 1830 |
Birthplace | Bhojla Village, Jhansi, British India |
Religion | Hinduism |
Caste | Koli |
Relationship Status | |
Marital Status | Married |
Husband | Puran Singh |
Children | Not Known |
Parents | Father- Sadovar Singh Mother- Jamuna Devi |
Siblings | None |
Table of Contents
Biography/Wiki
Jhalkari Bai was born on 22 November 1830, at Bhojla village in Bundelkhand. She used to belong to a middle-class Koli family. Her father’s name was Sadovar Singh (aka Mulchand Koli) and mother name Jamuna Devi (aka Dhaniyabai). Jhalkari Bai was the only child of her parents. When she was younger her mother had died. Her father also supported Jhalkari Bai and taught him to horseback riding and the use of weaponry. Due to not being able to secure the financial condition of her family, Jhalkari Bai did not receive elementary education. Her father did nurture Jhalkari Bai as a son. From her childhood, Jhalkari Bai used to work in addition to household chores, supervision of animals and collecting wood from the forest. Once in the forest, the Jhalkari clash was done by a tiger and she killed that animal with her ax.
Family & Husband
In 1843 at the age 13 years, Jhalkari Bai married Puran Singh. Puran Kori was a brave soldier in the army of King Gangadhar Rao of Jhansi. Jhalkari Bai was impressed by the work of her husband, and also generate a desire to join the Army in mind Jhalkaribai. After which she told her husband her wishes. Purna’s house was ancestral profession clothing knit. But, Puran respects Jhalakaribai’s wishes. After marriage, she got Jhansi with her husband. Rani Lakshmibai was shocked to see them because Jhalkari Bai was absolutely like Rani Laxmibai. After which Rani Lakshmibai joined Jhalkari Bai in her Durga Dal(women’s army). Here Jhalakari learned to run a gun, and run other weapons with other women, and laterJhalkari Bai became the army commander of the Durga army.
Rebellion of 1857
At the time of the rebellion of 1857, General Rose attacked Jhansi on 23 March 1858 with his huge army. Rani bravely faced the huge army from her 5000 army team. The queen was waiting for help, but she could not get any help because Tatya Tope defeats by General Rose. But a Dulherav of the commander of Maharani Laxmi Bai opened the gates of the fortress to the British. After which the British Army attacked the fort When Rani Laxmibai’s defeat was certain in this battle, Rani Lakshmibai held a meeting with the generals. After some time, Jhalkari Bai asked Rani Laxmibai’s clothes, turban, and crest. She was wearing the clothes and she looked like Rani Laxmibai. Jhalkari Bai led Jhansi’s army by wearing costumes like Rani Lakshmi Bai to cheat the British and sent Rani Laxmibai away with Jhansi with some trusted soldiers. she battles the British army like Laxmibai. During the fight, they get two news, Rani Lakshmi Bai reached Bithoor and the second of her husband Puran Kori was martyred.
Jhalkari Bai Death
Today is the subject of suspicion about the death of Jhalkari Bai. Historians believe that after the expulsion of Rani Lakshmi Bai from a safe fort, the British had been captured by Jhalakari Bai, but later the British had left them. On the contrary, some historians believe that Veergati was received during this battle.
A Bundelkhand legend is that General Hugh Rose was stunned by this reply of Jhalkari and said that
“If Indian women were like Jhalkaribai, we would soon have to leave this country”.
Facts
- In the year 2001, the Government of India issued a postage stamp in the celebration of the martyrdom of Jhalkaribai.
- In the memory of Jhalkari Bai by the Department of Archeology of India, a museum was established inside the Jhansi Fort.
- Indian President Ramnath Kovind had unveiled the statue of Jhalakari Bai in Guru Tegh Bahadur campus in Bhopal.
- In the 2019 Bollywood film, Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi, Ankita Lokhande played the role of Jhalkaribai.
- People of Koli organization still celebrate the death anniversary of Jhalakari Bai as Martyr Day.
- Nationalist Maithilisharan Gupta has queued the bravery of Jhalkari as follows
- The story of Jhalakari Bai is still heard in Bundelkhand’s folk songs and folk tale.