Jhalkaribai (22 November 1830 – 5 April 1858)[2] was a woman soldier who played an important role in the Indian Rebellion of 1857. She served in the women's army of Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi. She eventually rose to a position of a prominent advisor to the queen, Rani of Jhansi.[3] At the height of the Siege of Jhansi, she disguised herself as the queen and fought on her behalf, on the front, allowing the queen to escape safely out of the fort.[3][4]
Jhalakaribai was born to Sadova Singh, a Koli,[5][6] and Jamunadevi on 22 November 1830 in Bhojla village, near Jhansi.[1] In her youth, she is claimed to have stood her ground when attacked by a tiger and killed it with an axe.[7] She reportedly once killed a leopard in the forest with a stick she used to herd cattle.[8]
Jhalkaribai bore an uncanny resemblance to Laxmibai and because of this she was inducted into the women's wing of the army.[9][3]
Military serviceedit
In the queen's army, she quickly rose in the ranks and began commanding her own army.[10] During the Rebellion of 1857, General Hugh Rose attacked Jhansi with a large army. The queen faced the army with 14,000 of her troops. She waited for relief from PeshwaNana Sahib's army camping at Kalpi that did not come because Tantia Tope had already been defeated by General Rose. Meanwhile, Dulhaji from Thakur community, in charge of one of the gates of the fort, had made a pact with the assailants and opened the doors of Jhansi for the British forces. When the British rushed the fort, Laxmibai, on advice of her courtier, escaped through Bhanderi gate with her son and attendants to Kalpi. Upon hearing of Laxmibai's escape, Jhalkaribai set out for General Rose's camp in disguise and declared herself to be the queen. This led to a confusion that continued for a whole day and gave the Rani's army renewed advantage.[4]
In addition, she was a close confidante and advisor to the queen playing a key role in the analysis of the battle, alongside Laxmibai.[10][11][12]
Legacyedit
Statue of Jhalkaribai in Jhansi
The death anniversary of Jhalkaribai is celebrated as Shahid Diwas (Martyr Day) by various Koli/Kori organizations.[13] The movement to establish Bundelkhand as a separate state has also used the legend of Jhalkaribai to create the Bundeli identity.[14] The Government of India's Post and Telegraph department has issued a postal stamp depicting Jhalkaribai.[15]
The Archaeological Survey of India is setting up a museum at Panch Mahal, a five-storey building located inside the Jhansi Fort in remembrance of Jhalkaribai.[16]
She is referred to in the novel Jhansi ki Rani written in 1951 by B. L. Varma, who created a subplot in his novel about Jhalkaribai. He addressed Jhalkaribai as Korin and an extraordinary soldier in Laxmibai's army. Ram Chandra Heran Bundeli novel Maati, published in the same year, depicted her as "chivalrous and a valiant martyr". The first biography of Jhalkaribai was written in 1964 by Bhawani Shankar Visharad, with the help of Varma's novel and his research from the oral narratives of Kori communities living in the vicinity of Jhansi.[17]
Writers narrating the story of Jhalkaribai. Efforts have been made to place Jhalkaribai at an equal footing of Laxmibai.[17] Since the 1990s, the story of Jhalkaribai has begun to model a fierce form of Koli womanhood, has acquired a political dimension, and her image is being reconstructed with the demands of social situation.[14]
President Ramnath Kovind unveiled the statue of Jhalkari Bai at Guru Tegh Bahadur Complex in Bhopal on 10 November 2017.[18]
^ ab. Tribune India. Archived from the original on 11 May 2008. Retrieved 26 March 2010., which quotes Mr. Nareshchandra Koli stating her date of death as 4 April 1857. Sarala (1999, pp. 113–114) notes that she died in 1881. Varma & Sahaya (2001, p. 305) notes that she died as a very old woman without giving any exact date of death.
^ abVarma, B. L. (1951), Jhansi Ki Rani, p. 255, as quoted in Badri Narayan 2006, pp. 119–120
^"Ankita Lokhande celebrates birthday with Manikarnika co-star Kangana Ranaut, Mouni Roy and other TV stars. See pics, video". Hindustan Times. 19 December 2018. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
^"वीरांगना झलकारी बाई". hindi.webdunia.com. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
^"Rediff On The NeT: Jhalkari Bai, a little known chapter on a woman's courage in colonial India". www.rediff.com. Retrieved 6 June 2017.
^. Archived from the original on 9 December 2009. Retrieved 9 March 2010.
^ abNarayan, Badri (7 November 2006). Women Heroes and Dalit Assertion in North India: Culture, Identity and Politics. SAGE Publications India. ISBN9788132102809.
^Vishwakarma, Sanjeev Kumar. Feminism and Literature: Text and Context. Allahabad (India): Takhtotaaz. pp. 132–139. ISBN978-81-922645-6-1.
^Gupta, Charu (2007). "Dalit 'Viranganas' and Reinvention of 1857". Economic and Political Weekly. 42 (19): 1739–1745. JSTOR 4419579.
^Badri Narayan (2006, p. 119) mentions "Today, the Koris, like other Dalit castes, use the myth of Jhalkaribai for the glorification of their community. They also celebrate Jhalkaribai Jayanti each year to enhance their self respect and elevate the status of their caste. It is a matter of great pride that she was a Dalit Virangana (brave woman warrior) born in the Kori caste and they highlight this dimension while recounting her brave deeds."
^Tankha, Madhur (28 February 2014) ASI to set up Jhalkari Bai museum at Jhansi Fort – NEW DELHI. The Hindu. Retrieved on 21 November 2018.
^Prez unveils Jhalkari Bai's statue. Daily Pioneer (11 November 2017)
Sourcesedit
Sarala, Srikrishna (1999). Indian revolutionaries: a comprehensive study, 1757–1961. Vol. I. Prabhat Prakashan. ISBN978-81-87100-16-4.
Badri Narayan (2006). Women heroes and Dalit assertion in north India: culture, identity and politics. SAGE. ISBN978-0-7619-3537-7.
Varma, Vrindavanlala; Sahaya, Amita (2001). Lakshmi Bai, the rani of Jhansi. Prabhat Prakashan. ISBN978-81-87100-54-6.
Sauquet, Michel (2004). L'idiot du village mondial: Les citoyens de la planète face à l'explosion des outils de communication : subir ou maîtriser (in French). ECLM. ISBN978-2-84377-094-4.
Nehru, Jawaharlal (1989). The Discovery of India. Oxford University Press. ISBN0-19-561322-8.
jhalkaribai, november, 1830, april, 1858, woman, soldier, played, important, role, indian, rebellion, 1857, served, women, army, rani, lakshmibai, jhansi, eventually, rose, position, prominent, advisor, queen, rani, jhansi, height, siege, jhansi, disguised, he. Jhalkaribai 22 November 1830 5 April 1858 2 was a woman soldier who played an important role in the Indian Rebellion of 1857 She served in the women s army of Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi She eventually rose to a position of a prominent advisor to the queen Rani of Jhansi 3 At the height of the Siege of Jhansi she disguised herself as the queen and fought on her behalf on the front allowing the queen to escape safely out of the fort 3 4 Jhalkari Bai KoriStatue of Jhalkaribai in GwaliorBorn 1830 11 22 22 November 1830 1 Jhansi StateDiedApril 5 1858 1858 04 05 aged 27 2 Jhansi Jhansi stateCause of deathMartyrdomNationalityIndianOccupationWarrior Army personnelKnown forBeing the most prominent advisor to Rani LakshmibaiMovementIndian Rebellion of 1857SpousePuran Singh an artilleryman from the artillery unit of Rani Lakshmibai ParentsSadowar Singh father Jamuna Devi mother HonoursJhalkari Bai Postal Stamp Contents 1 Life 2 Military service 3 Legacy 3 1 Depiction in film 4 See also 5 References 6 SourcesLife editJhalakaribai was born to Sadova Singh a Koli 5 6 and Jamunadevi on 22 November 1830 in Bhojla village near Jhansi 1 In her youth she is claimed to have stood her ground when attacked by a tiger and killed it with an axe 7 She reportedly once killed a leopard in the forest with a stick she used to herd cattle 8 Jhalkaribai bore an uncanny resemblance to Laxmibai and because of this she was inducted into the women s wing of the army 9 3 Military service editIn the queen s army she quickly rose in the ranks and began commanding her own army 10 During the Rebellion of 1857 General Hugh Rose attacked Jhansi with a large army The queen faced the army with 14 000 of her troops She waited for relief from Peshwa Nana Sahib s army camping at Kalpi that did not come because Tantia Tope had already been defeated by General Rose Meanwhile Dulhaji from Thakur community in charge of one of the gates of the fort had made a pact with the assailants and opened the doors of Jhansi for the British forces When the British rushed the fort Laxmibai on advice of her courtier escaped through Bhanderi gate with her son and attendants to Kalpi Upon hearing of Laxmibai s escape Jhalkaribai set out for General Rose s camp in disguise and declared herself to be the queen This led to a confusion that continued for a whole day and gave the Rani s army renewed advantage 4 In addition she was a close confidante and advisor to the queen playing a key role in the analysis of the battle alongside Laxmibai 10 11 12 Legacy edit nbsp Statue of Jhalkaribai in Jhansi The death anniversary of Jhalkaribai is celebrated as Shahid Diwas Martyr Day by various Koli Kori organizations 13 The movement to establish Bundelkhand as a separate state has also used the legend of Jhalkaribai to create the Bundeli identity 14 The Government of India s Post and Telegraph department has issued a postal stamp depicting Jhalkaribai 15 The Archaeological Survey of India is setting up a museum at Panch Mahal a five storey building located inside the Jhansi Fort in remembrance of Jhalkaribai 16 She is referred to in the novel Jhansi ki Rani written in 1951 by B L Varma who created a subplot in his novel about Jhalkaribai He addressed Jhalkaribai as Korin and an extraordinary soldier in Laxmibai s army Ram Chandra Heran Bundeli novel Maati published in the same year depicted her as chivalrous and a valiant martyr The first biography of Jhalkaribai was written in 1964 by Bhawani Shankar Visharad with the help of Varma s novel and his research from the oral narratives of Kori communities living in the vicinity of Jhansi 17 Writers narrating the story of Jhalkaribai Efforts have been made to place Jhalkaribai at an equal footing of Laxmibai 17 Since the 1990s the story of Jhalkaribai has begun to model a fierce form of Koli womanhood has acquired a political dimension and her image is being reconstructed with the demands of social situation 14 President Ramnath Kovind unveiled the statue of Jhalkari Bai at Guru Tegh Bahadur Complex in Bhopal on 10 November 2017 18 Depiction in film edit Manikarnika 2019 a Hindi film starring Ankita Lokhande as Jhalkaribai has been made Auroshikha Dey played Jhalkaribai in the British period drama The Warrior Queen of Jhansi 2019 See also editList of Koli people List of Koli states and clans Tanaji Malusare Rooplo Kolhi Uda DeviReferences edit a b Sarala 1999 p 111 a b When Jhalkari Bai fought as Lakshmi Bai Tribune India Archived from the original on 11 May 2008 Retrieved 26 March 2010 which quotes Mr Nareshchandra Koli stating her date of death as 4 April 1857 Sarala 1999 pp 113 114 notes that she died in 1881 Varma amp Sahaya 2001 p 305 notes that she died as a very old woman without giving any exact date of death a b c Sarala 1999 pp 112 113 a b Varma B L 1951 Jhansi Ki Rani p 255 as quoted in Badri Narayan 2006 pp 119 120 Ankita Lokhande celebrates birthday with Manikarnika co star Kangana Ranaut Mouni Roy and other TV stars See pics video Hindustan Times 19 December 2018 Retrieved 9 January 2022 व र गन झलक र ब ई hindi webdunia com Retrieved 9 January 2022 Rediff On The NeT Jhalkari Bai a little known chapter on a woman s courage in colonial India www rediff com Retrieved 6 June 2017 Sarala 1999 p 112 Commemorative Postage Stamp on Jhalkari Bai Latest Releases Archived from the original on 9 December 2009 Retrieved 9 March 2010 a b Narayan Badri 7 November 2006 Women Heroes and Dalit Assertion in North India Culture Identity and Politics SAGE Publications India ISBN 9788132102809 Vishwakarma Sanjeev Kumar Feminism and Literature Text and Context Allahabad India Takhtotaaz pp 132 139 ISBN 978 81 922645 6 1 Gupta Charu 2007 Dalit Viranganas and Reinvention of 1857 Economic and Political Weekly 42 19 1739 1745 JSTOR 4419579 Badri Narayan 2006 p 125 a b Badri Narayan 2006 p 129 Badri Narayan 2006 p 119 mentions Today the Koris like other Dalit castes use the myth of Jhalkaribai for the glorification of their community They also celebrate Jhalkaribai Jayanti each year to enhance their self respect and elevate the status of their caste It is a matter of great pride that she was a Dalit Virangana brave woman warrior born in the Kori caste and they highlight this dimension while recounting her brave deeds Tankha Madhur 28 February 2014 ASI to set up Jhalkari Bai museum at Jhansi Fort NEW DELHI The Hindu Retrieved on 21 November 2018 a b Badri Narayan 2006 p 119 Prez unveils Jhalkari Bai s statue Daily Pioneer 11 November 2017 Sources editSarala Srikrishna 1999 Indian revolutionaries a comprehensive study 1757 1961 Vol I Prabhat Prakashan ISBN 978 81 87100 16 4 Badri Narayan 2006 Women heroes and Dalit assertion in north India culture identity and politics SAGE ISBN 978 0 7619 3537 7 Varma Vrindavanlala Sahaya Amita 2001 Lakshmi Bai the rani of Jhansi Prabhat Prakashan ISBN 978 81 87100 54 6 Sauquet Michel 2004 L idiot du village mondial Les citoyens de la planete face a l explosion des outils de communication subir ou maitriser in French ECLM ISBN 978 2 84377 094 4 Nehru Jawaharlal 1989 The Discovery of India Oxford University Press ISBN 0 19 561322 8 Majumdar RC Raychaudhuri HC Datta Kalikinkar 1990 An Advanced History of India MacMillan India Limited ISBN 0 333 90298 X Thakur Harinarayan 2009 Dalit Sahitya Ka Samajshastra in Hindi Bhartiya Jnanpith ISBN 978 81 263 1734 9 Bhojla ki beti Bundeli mahakavya Dalchand Anuragi Rajendra Nagar ORAI 2010 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Jhalkaribai amp oldid 1205256858, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
