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

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Husband: Puran Singh
Caste: Koli
Age: 60

Jhalkari Bai

Bio/Wiki
ProfessionWarrior/Army Personnel
Known ForBeing the most prominet advisor to Rani Lakshmibai
Personal Life
Date of Birth22 November 1830
BirthplaceBhojla Village, Jhansi, British India
Date of DeathYear, 1890 [1]The Tribune
Place of DeathGwalior, British India
Age (at the time of death)60 Years
Death CauseMartyrdom
Zodiac sign/Sun signScorpio
NationalityIndian
HometownBhojla Village, Jhansi, British India
SchoolDid not attend
College/UniversityDid not attend
Educational QualificationHome-schooled by her father in warfare acts
ReligionHinduism
CasteKoli, an ethnic Indian group, which was classified as Scheduled Caste (SC) in the 2001 census for the states of Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan by the Government of India
HobbiesHorse-riding, Fencing
Relationships & More
Marital Status (a the time of her death)Widowed
Family
Husband/SpousePuran Singh (an Artilleryman from the Artillery Unit of Rani Lakshmibai)
ChildrenNot Known
ParentsFather- Sadovar Singh (Farmer)
Mother- Jamuna Devi
SiblingsNot Known
Favourite Things
Favourite Quote"Jai Bhavani"

Jhalkari Bai

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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    President Ramnath Kovind Unveiling The Statue of Jhalkari Bai in Bhopal

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

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