The Lady That Fooled Britishers In The Name Of Jhansi Ki Rani

Lost in the pages of history is the tale of an incredible warrior and woman named Jhalkari Bai.

Hailing from a humble background, she rose the ranks to become an advisor to the legendary Rani Laxmibai. In fact, so courageous was she that during the battle of fort of Jhansi, she disguised herself as Rani Laxmibai and took command of the army, thus giving the real queen a chance to escape in the meantime.

A prominent fighter during the Rebellion of 1857, one woman driven by sheer fortitude and courage was able to strike fear in the hearts of the British army and leave behind a rich legacy for millions to emulate.

Born on November 22, 1830, Jhalkari, was born to Sadoba Singh and Jamuna Devi in Bhojla village near Jhansi. The only child to her parents, her father had to raise her as a single parent when her mother passed away unexpectedly when Jhalkari was still very young.

Since the family was poor and part of the Kori caste (a Dalit community that was oppressed), she didn’t have the opportunity to go to school and get a formal education. However, right since her childhood she was taught to wield a weapon skillfully and given horseback-riding lessons.

Tales of her bravery continue to be told in various households in Jhansi. It is said that once when dacoits tried to raid the house of a businessman living in the village, it was Jhalkari who single-handedly drove them away. She is also said to have killed a tiger with her axe when the animal tried attacking her once in the jungle.

Jhalkari may have never met Rani Laxmibai had it not been for her betrothal to Puran Singh, a soldier in the queen’s army. Said to be a soldier of great caliber, his skills were quickly recognised by the generals in the court. And it was also around this time that the fateful meeting between Jhalkaribai and the warrior queen would take place.

During Gauri Puja, Jhalkari went to the fort along with a number of women from the village. It was there that the legendary ‘Jhansi ki Rani’ spotted her. And she was taken aback by the uncanny resemblance she shared with Jhalkari, and inquired about her immediately. When the queen was briefed on Jhalkari’s brave acts, she was quickly inducted into the women’s wing of the army. Here she was trained to shoot and ignite cannons as the army was preparing for a British invasion.