CM pays tribute to Jhalkari Bai Koli

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Friday paid floral tributes to Veerangana Jhalkari Bai Koli on her birth anniversary, hailing her as one of the most courageous warriors of the first war of Independence.

Speaking at a special programme held at the Delhi Secretariat, the CM said India owed its freedom to icons like Jhalkari Bai, whose bravery continued to inspire generations.

“Daughters of India must draw inspiration from such great women warriors,” the CM said, adding that the government aimed to ensure that Jhalkari Bai’s story reached the youth. This year, the Delhi Government has for the first time included Veerangana Jhalkari Bai Koli in its “Scheme for Commemorating Birth and Death Anniversaries of Eminent Personalities.”

Representatives of the Akhil Bharatiya Koli Kori Shankhwar Samaj, who attended the ceremony from across the country, praised the move, calling it a historic step for the community.

Highlighting Jhalkari Bai’s legacy, CM Gupta said her courage during the 1857 uprising remained unparalleled. She recounted how Jhalkari Bai, trained from childhood in combat, swordsmanship and horse riding, played a decisive role in the freedom struggle by disguising herself as Rani Lakshmibai to mislead British forces. “She never wondered whether her sacrifice would be remembered or not. She gave her life for the motherland. Such courage, such devotion is truly rare,” the CM said. She stressed the need to revive stories of countless women warriors whose contributions remained forgotten, noting that large-scale events would be held across Delhi on November 22 to mark Jhalkari Bai’s birth anniversary.

SC/ST/OBC Welfare Minister Ravinder Indraj Singh also spoke at the event, calling Jhalkari Bai’s heroism unmatched. “Jhalkari Bai’s sacrifice is the finest example of national defence,” he said, adding that the government would identify and commemorate more such personalities in the coming years. He further announced that Baba Lakhi Shah Banjara had also been added to the state’s list of eminent figures to be honoured for his contributions and devotion to Guru Tegh Bahadur.