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Jhalkari Bai Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated October 5, 2026 • 3 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth22 November 1830

Age60 (at time of death)

BirthplaceBhojla Village, Jhansi, British India

ProfessionWarrior/Army Personnel

NationalityIndian

Marital statusWidowed

SpousePuran Singh

FamilyFather - Sadovar Singh; Mother - Jamuna Devi

Jhalkari Bai Biography

Jhalkari Bai was a warrior from Bhojla village near Jhansi who became a close aide and commander in Rani Lakshmibai’s forces during the Indian Rebellion of

Early life and background
Jhalkari Bai was born on 22 November 1830 in Bhojla village near Jhansi, then part of British India. She grew up in a rural setting and did not receive formal schooling. Her father, Sadovar Singh, taught her horse riding and the use of weapons, and she learned the skills required for defending her community in an area often troubled by dacoits. Her mother was Jamuna Devi; she died when Jhalkari Bai was young, and household responsibilities fell to her early on.

Career
Trained by her father and hardened by the realities of life in her region, Jhalkari Bai developed into a capable warrior. She married Puran Singh, an artilleryman of Rani Lakshmibai’s unit, who introduced her to the queen. Jhalkari Bai joined the women’s army of Rani Lakshmibai and rose quickly through its ranks, eventually commanding her own unit called Durga Dal.

During the Indian Rebellion of 1857, Jhalkari Bai played a key role in the defence of Jhansi. When General Hugh Rose’s forces attacked the fort, she devised and executed a plan to help Rani Lakshmibai escape. Jhalkari Bai disguised herself as the queen and led a small detachment out of the fort to engage the British at the front gate, drawing their attention and allowing the real queen to slip away from another exit. The deception succeeded initially; Jhalkari Bai fought fiercely and was eventually captured by British forces. Reportedly confined under guard, she later escaped and continued to fight.

In the ensuing battles, Jhalkari Bai’s husband, Puran Singh, was killed by a cannon shot. She herself was struck by a cannon ball during combat and died crying the war cry "Jai Bhavani," an act that has been described as martyrdom.

Public profile
Jhalkari Bai is remembered as one of the most respected women soldiers associated with the 1857 uprising. Her background as a member of the Koli community and her wartime role have been emphasized in accounts of her life. Over time she has been commemorated in several ways: a postal stamp featuring her was issued by the Government of India in 2001; the Archaeological Survey of India established a museum in her memory inside Jhansi Fort; and a statue of Jhalkari Bai was unveiled by the President of India, Ram Nath Kovind, at the Guru Tegh Bahadur Complex in Bhopal on 10 November 2017.

Jhalkari Bai’s story has also reached popular culture. In the 2019 film Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi, the role of Jhalkari Bai was portrayed by actress Ankita Lokhande, while Kangana Ranaut played Rani Lakshmibai.

Latest updates
Various Koli community organizations observe Jhalkari Bai’s death anniversary as Shaheed Diwas (Martyr Day) to honour her sacrifice. Her actions during the siege of Jhansi, particularly the episode in which she disguised herself as Rani Lakshmibai to enable the queen’s escape, remain central to her legacy.

Editorial Review and Sources

This F4U profile is written from publicly available career and profile information, then reviewed for clarity before publication. If you spot an outdated detail about Jhalkari Bai, send the page URL and a reliable correction source to f4udotin@gmail.com.

Reference context: StarsUnfolded
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Career Highlights

  1. Trained in horseback riding and weapons by her father
  2. Joined Rani Lakshmibai’s women’s army and rose to command the Durga Dal
  3. Disguised herself as Rani Lakshmibai to cover the queen’s escape during the 1857 rebellion
  4. Remembered through a 2001 postal stamp, a museum at Jhansi Fort, and a statue unveiled in 2017
Reviewed by F4U Editorial Desk

F4U profile pages are prepared from public career information, checked for readability, and updated when reliable correction sources are shared with the editorial team.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Jhalkari Bai born?

Jhalkari Bai was born on 22 November 1830.

What is Jhalkari Bai known for?

Jhalkari Bai is known for warrior/Army Personnel.

What is Jhalkari Bai’s marital status?

Jhalkari Bai's marital status is listed as Widowed.

Who is Jhalkari Bai married to?

Jhalkari Bai is publicly listed as married to Puran Singh.