Jhalkari Bai Age, Caste, Death, Husband, Children, Family, Biography & More

Some Lesser Known Facts About Jhalkari Bai

• Jhalkari Bai is one of the most respected women soldiers in India who played an important role in the Indian Rebellion of 1857.

• She grew in the forest area of a village named Bhojla near Jhansi.
  

  Jhansi Fort

• It was Jhalkari Bai’s father who had trained her in horse-riding and the use of arms.

• Jhalkari Bai was brought up by her father like a boy; as her mother died when Jhalkari Bai was quite young.

• Due to the demise of her mother, the household responsibilities had automatically come to Jhalkari Bai at such a young age.

• She could not get school education; as she was living in a rural region. However, her father had educated her, which was enough for a warrior.

• Jhalkari Bai was trained in wielding weapons; as the area was infested with dacoits, and the people had to protect themselves.

• One day, when she was a child and was herding her animals in the forest, a leopard attacked her, and in retaliation, she hit the leopard on his muzzle with the stick she used to herd the animals, leading to his death. The incident had made her popular in the nearby area.

• Soon, she was married to Puran Singh; an artilleryman from the Artillery Unit of Rani Lakshmibai.

• It was Puran Singh who had introduced Jhalkari Bai to the queen of Jhansi- Lakshmibai. Later, Jhalkari Bai joined the women’s army of Rani Lakshmibai.

• Soon after joining the women’s army of Rani Lakshmibai, Jhalkari Bai gained expertise in almost all aspects of warfare.

• Jhalkari Bai quickly rose in ranks of Rani Lakshmibai’s women’s army and started commanding her own army called “Durga Dal.”

• When General Hugh Rose of the British Army attacked Jhansi with a large army during the Rebellion of 1857, it was Jhalkari Bai who had helped Rani Lakshmibai to escape.
  

  A Depiction of British Army’s Attack on Jhansi Fort

• When the entire fort of Jhansi was almost surrounded by the army of General Hugh Rose, Jhalkari Bai came up with a plan, according to which, she would disguise as Rani Lakshmibai and lead a small unit of the army at the front gate of the fort so that the enemies would engage with her at the front gate; giving an ample time to Rani Lakshmibai to escape from the back gate of the fort.

• Everything worked as per the plan, and the queen and Jhalkari Bai came out of the fort at different points. The British Army got confused. They took Jhalkari Bai to be the queen and attacked her with its full force. Jhalkari Bai engaged them in a fierce battle. However, an informer recognized her and when he tried to expose her identity, Jhalkari Bai shot a bullet from her gun at him, but the bullet missed him and hit a British soldier who died in the act.
  

  A Sketch of Jhalkari Bai Disguised As Rani Lakshmibai

• After a long battle, ultimately, she was captured by General Rose and his army. On her valour, General Hugh Rose had said,
  

  If even one per cent of the Indian women go mad this way, we Englishmen will have to leave everything here and go away.”

  

  A Sketch of General Hugh Rose

• Jhalkari Bai was confined in a tent under heavy security. However, she found an opportunity and escaped at night. The following day, General Hugh Rose launched a fierce attack at the fort; where they again had to confront Jhalkari Bai. In a long battle, she lost her husband; who was killed in a canon-shot. Soon, another canon-ball hit Jhalkari Bai and shouting “Jai Bhavani!” she fell to the ground.
  

  A Sketch of Jhalkari Bai

• Today, various Koli organizations celebrate Jhalkari Bai’s death anniversary as Shaheed Diwas (Martyr Day).
  

  Koli Community Celebrating The Martyrdom Of Jhalkari Bai

• In 2001, the Government of India issued a postal stamp depicting Jhalkari Bai.
  

  Jhalkari Bai Postal Stamp

• The Archaeological Survey of India has also set up a museum inside the Jhansi Fort in remembrance of Jhalkari Bai.
  

  Foundation Laid For Jhalkari Bai Archeological Museum

• On 10 November 2017, the President of India, Ram Nath Kovind, unveiled the statue of Jhalkari Bai at Guru Tegh Bahadur Complex in Bhopal.
  

  President Ramnath Kovind Unveiling The Statue of Jhalkari Bai in Bhopal

• In the 2019 Bollywood film, Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi, Jhlkari Bai’s role was played by the actress Ankita Lokhande. The film starred Kangana Ranaut as Rani Lakshmibai.
  

  Ankita Lokhande As Jhalkari Bai

• To view the biography of Jhalkari Bai, check out the video below.