Resentment against the British rule in India had started immediately after its inception. However, it took almost a century for the long-simmering discontent to take the form of a mass-based reaction. The uprising, when it finally occurred in 1857, drew into its fold people from all walks of life -the peasants and tribals, the zamindars and chieftains, the sepoys and princes, and even the sanyasis and faqirs. The British military machine ultimately succeeded in suppressing the revolt. Though the colonial rulers dismissively dubbed it as the 'Sepoy Mutiny', implying that it was merely an uprising of the disgruntled sepoys, the central character of the struggle was clearly that of a nationalist liberation movement. Modem historians have rightly rechristened the  'Mutiny'  as the First War of lndependence of lndia.



The saga of Jhalkari Bai, a courageous women who came from a humble background and played a valiant role in the Jhansi theatre of the revolt of 1857 is illustrative of the seriousness of discontent among the common people against the colonial dominance and the extent of popular participation  in the struggle.



Though the recorded hi story does not reveal much about the antecedents or heroic exploit s of Jhalkari Bai, she is a living memory in the folklore of the Bundelkhand region (which was part of the erstwhile state of Jhansi) even today. Jhalkari was a village girl who had to take charge of the household chores in her childhood itself, following the early loss of her mother. It is said that she once had an encounter with a tiger while  collecting firewood in the jungle and killed it with her axe. Jhalkari also bore an uncanny resemblance to Rani Lakshmi Bai of Jhansi, because of which the Rani  took a special liking to her and inducted her into the women's wing of her army.



Meanwhile, discontent against the British policies was orewing in Jhansi also. The child adopted by Gangadhar Rao, the late King of Jhansi and husband of Rani Lakhmi Bai, was not recognised by the British as the legitimate heir to the throne, and the state was taken over under the 'Doctrine of Lapse'. The people of Jhansi resented this annexation. They rallied around Rani Lakshmi Bai and resolved to take up arms to uphold the independence of their state. In 1858, there were several attacks on the Jhansi fort by the British and their native allies. The Rani marshalled her forces well and repulsed these attacks. The ever loyal Jhalkari Bai must have been a pillar of strength for the queen in those trying times. It is said that when the fall of the fortress became imminent, Jhalkari Bai and some generals convinced Lakshmi Bai to escape quietly with a handful of supporters. In a ploy to deceive the British, Jhalkari dressed up like the Rani and took command of the army. The British found out the truth too late, as the Rani had covered a considerable distance by then. Though Jhalkari Bai was forced to surrender, it is believed that the British military officers, who were impressed by her loyalty, courage and fighting prowess treated her with respect and freed her.



The Department of Posts is happy to release a postage stamp in honour of Jhalkari Bai.



Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India