Freedom Fighter India Revolutionary Woman: Jhalkari Bai was the revolutionary of the freedom struggle of 1857, who showed valor like Rani Laxmibai of Jhansi. Learn about Jhalkari Bai’s life story, conflict, sacrifice on Independence Day 2025.
Freedom fighter jhaalkari bai: India’s first freedom struggle i.e. 1857 revolution and whenever there is talk of women warriors, most people first take the name of Rani Laxmibai of Jhansi. The stories of his valor, courage and sacrifice are settled in the hearts of every Indian. But, very few people know that there was another heroine with Rani Laxmibai, whose courage and valor was not less. His name was Jhalkari Bai. Jhalkari Bai was not only the queen’s companion, but also her lookalal, who fought for the motherland till the last moment of her life. His story is an example of inspiration, sacrifice and indomitable courage. Know about Jhalkari Bai, the revolutionary woman of the freedom struggle on 15 August Independence Day 2025.
Who was the revolutionary woman of Indian freedom struggle Jhalkari Bai?
Jhalkari Bai was born on 22 November in a poor Koli family in a small village in Bundelkhand. Born here by father Sadova (Moolchand) Koli and mother Jamuna Bai (coriander), the childhood of Jhalkari was spent in difficult conditions. After the mother’s death, the father raised him like a son and this was the reason that he had a sense of self -sufficiency and courage since childhood. Along with household chores, she knew bringing wood from the forest, taking care of animals and standing bravely when needed.
Jhalkari Bai’s childhood bravery stories
An incident in his childhood is still famous when he encountered a dreaded tiger while picking wood in the forest. Without scared, he attacked him with an ax and killed him. One more time, a village businessman was attacked by the dacoits. Jhalkari faced him alone and forced him to escape. Impressed by his bravery, the villagers got him married to Puran Koli, a brave soldier working in the army of Jhansi.
Jhalkari Bai comes to Jhansi and Role in Army
After marriage, Jhalkari came to Jhansi with her husband. Here she was introduced to Rani Laxmibai and soon she became the head of her women’s army Durga Dal. The appearance of the queen and the jhalykari was so similar that many times she used to confuse the enemies by disguising the queen in the war.
Jhalkari Bai’s decisive contribution in the 1857 revolution
The British surrounded the Jhansi Fort during the first freedom struggle of 1857. In the hour of this crisis, Jhalkari Bai disguised as the queen and faced the enemies, so that the queen could safely move out of the fort and make a strategy. In this cheating, the British felt that they had caught the queen, but actually it was a shock. She was seriously injured in this fight. Before taking his last breath, he announced Jai Bhavani and received Veeragati in the battlefield.
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Even today, Jhalkari Bai is remembered in the folklore and songs of Bundelkhand
Jhalkari Bai’s courage is still remembered in the folklore and songs of Bundelkhand. In 2001, the Government of India also released a postage stamp in his honor. Along with Rani Laxmibai of Jhansi, her tomb is also located in Gwalior, which gives immortal testimony to her sacrifice.
Jhalkari Bai was not just a warrior, a woman revolutionary who gave her life and supported Rani Laxmibai in the freedom struggle of the country. He is an example of the fact that countless anonymous heroes and heroines also stake their lives in India’s independence, whose stories should be told to every generation.
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