Jhalkari Bai was a famous Indian female warrior who played a crucial role in the 1857 Battle of Jhansi. She was considered a stand-in for Rani Lakshmibai due to her similarities in appearance, courage and determination.
Biography/Wiki
Jhalkari Bai was born on Monday, November 22, 1830, in the village of Bojra in Jhansi, British India (now in Jhansi District, Uttar Pradesh, India) (he died aged 27). Jakari lost his mother when he was very young and was raised by his father. Born in a rural area, her job was mainly housework. Although she did not receive any primary education, her father trained her in martial arts and horseback riding. Even today, stories of her bravery as a child continue to circulate in Jhansi city. One of the legends includes her tackling and killing a tiger with a stick. Because the tiger attacked Jhakari. Her courage, daring, and extraordinary insight into war strategy made her an incredible warrior and outstanding warrior during the 1857 Rebellion.
family, caste and husband
Jhalkari Bai was born into a Hindu family in Koli, his father is Sadovar Singh and his mother is Jamuna Devi. Her father is a farmer.
Her husband, a wrestler and archer, was an artilleryman in Rani Lakshmibhai’s army. After her marriage, Jhakari joined Lakshmibai’s army as a soldier. During this time, her determination was recognized. She also came into limelight for her resemblance to Rani Lakshmibai. She is often seen as Rani Lakshmibai’s true love and closest aide. Soon, she was put in charge of leading the women’s unit “Durgadar” of Lakshmibhai’s army.
The Legend of Jakari White
During the rebellion of 1857, Jhakari played a crucial role as an advisor to the Queen of Jhansi. Jhakari’s endurance made her stand up like a pillar during the Battle of Jhansi and save her country and her beloved Queen. She was as brave as the Queen herself, putting up a fierce resistance to British forces during the 1857 Rising during the First War of Independence.
Depicting the 1857 Rebellion
In 1857, General Hugh Ross attacked the city of Jhansi, ending the rebellion that broke out in Meerut. He captured the fort of Jhansi and killed all those who tried to escape. During this period, Jakali fighting raged, covering the entire area of Jhansi Fort from “Dantia Gate” to “Unnao Gate”. To seek help from Gwalior, Lakshmibai had to leave the fort, but the British troops surrounded the palace, making it impossible to escape. At this point, Jakari Bai helped Lakshmibai escape the fort through the Bandri Gate while deceiving the British by pretending to be the queen. This confused the British troops and Lakshmibai escaped only when they realized it was Jhakari Bai.
General Hugh Ross
When Jakari heard the news that her husband had been killed in battle, she became ferocious and attacked the British troops, calling them “wounded tigresses.” It is said that while fighting the British disguised as Lakshmibhai, one of the British informants recognized her and tried to expose her. Jakari fired a bullet that killed the informer, but the bullet missed and struck another British soldier.
Jhansi Fort
cause of death
There has been much speculation about the cause of Jakari Bai’s death. Although some reports claim she was hanged by the British, many believe she lived until 1890. When Lakshmibai fled the fort, Jhakari disguised herself as the queen and fought heroically against the British. The most common theory is that she deceived the British army by disguising herself as Laxmibai, then walked into the battlefield, took command of her army, and met General Ross screaming in front of his camp. General Ross also mistook her for Rani Lakshmibai and asked her how she wanted to be punished. Jakari glared at Rose and replied that she wanted him to hang her. Rose was shocked by her fearlessness, saying, “If one percent of Indian women were like Lakshmibhai, the British would soon have to leave India.” However, a woman named “Dulha Joo” The man recognized her and put her in jail. She was later released and reportedly lived until 1890.
Depicting the 1857 Rebellion
Some historians also speculate that Jaikari Bhai was killed by a shell during the war, muttering “Jai Bhavani!” before she breathed her last.
fact
- The life story of Jhalkari Bai is sung in various Bundli folklore. The most common lines about Jhalkari in Bundelkhand region are –
Macha Jhansi mein ghamasan, chahun aur machee kilkari thee, Angrezon se loha lenein, ran mein kudee Jhalkari thee”
- The Koli community celebrates ‘Shaheed Diwas’ every year to commemorate the death of Jhalkari Bai.
Koli community celebrates martyrdom of Jakalibai
- On November 10, 2017, Indian President Ram Nath Kovind inaugurated Jakali Bhai at the Guru Tegh Bahadur complex in Bhopal. (Jhakari Bai) statue was unveiled.
President Ram Nath Kovind inaugurates Jakali Bai statue in Bhopal
- The statue of Jhalkari Bai in Gwalior symbolizes her eternal courage.
Jhalkari Bai statue in Gwalior
- In 2001, the Indian government issued a stamp to pay tribute to the legendary warrior Jakari Bai
- The Archaeological Survey of India has opened a museum in the memory of Jhansi Bai inside the Jhansi Fort.
Jakari Bai Museum inside Jhansi Fort
- In 2019, Manikarnika, a Bollywood film based on the lives of Rani Lakshmibai and Jhalkari Bai, was released. The character of Lakshmibai is played by Kangana Ranaut and Jhalkari Bai is played by Ankita Lokande.
Manikarnika Poster
Categories: Biography
Source: HIS Education