Many Indians had to face oppression by the British in slave India. Indians started their struggle for independence with the revolution of 1857. The revolution of 1857 figures prominently in the pages of history.

The names of Mangal Pandey and Rani Laxmibai of Jhansi are prominent in this revolution. Rani of Jhansi was not the only woman in the fight for the movement, there was another woman to support her, whose name was Jhalkaribai. Jhalkari Bai was neither a queen nor was the power of Jhansi in her hands. But Jhalkari Bai sacrificed her life to protect the motherland. Today is the birth anniversary of this woman activist of the freedom struggle, Jhalkari Bai. Let us know important things related to the life of Jhalkari Bai.

Jhalkari Bai's childhood
Historians say that Jhalkari Bai lived near the fort of Rani Laxmibai of Jhansi. To the south of the fort was the Unnao Gate, where Bhojla village was situated. People of Jhalkari Bai's family still live in this village. Jhalkari Bai, courageous since childhood, took training in horse riding and weapon handling from her father after the death of her mother.

Courageous phulkari bai
Once in her childhood, Jhalkari Bai was attacked by a leopard. Jhalkari Bai had shown her courage by killing the leopard with an ax without fear. It is said that once some dacoits attacked the house of a village businessman, even then Jhalkari Bai gave a befitting reply and chased them away from the village.

Jhalkari Bai's wedding
Jhalkari Bai was married to Puran Kori, a soldier posted in the army of Jhansi. After marriage, Jhalkari Bai met Rani Lakshmi Bai during a puja. Rani Lakshmibai was surprised to see Jhalkari Bai because she looked exactly like Lakshmibai. Laxmibai included Jhalkari Bai in the army of Jhansi. Jhalkari Bai learned how to use a gun, sword, and cannon.

When the British attacked the Jhansi fort, the generals advised Rani Lakshmibai to leave the fort. Jhalkari Bai's husband was also martyred in the war. To trick the British, Jhalkari Bai wore Rani Lakshmibai's clothes and took command of the army. The British did not even know that she was not Rani Laxmibai, but Jhalkari Bai.

(PC: Social media)