Chief Minister Rekha Gupta pays tribute to Veerangana Jhalkari Bai Koli for her contribution to the First War of Independence

“Daughters of India must draw inspiration from such great women warriors”: Chief Minister Rekha Gupta

Representatives of Akhil Bharatiya Koli–Kori–Shankhwar Samaj felicitate the Chief Minister

“Jhalkari Bai’s sacrifice is the finest example of national defence”: Welfare Minister Shri Ravinder Indraj Singh

New Delhi: Nov 2025 : Delhi Chief Minister Smt. Rekha Gupta offered floral tributes to Veerangana Jhalkari Bai Koli on the occasion of her birth anniversary and saluted her unparalleled contribution to the First War of Independence in 1857. The Chief Minister said that India breathes free today because of the courage and sacrifice of warriors like Jhalkari Bai.

The special program was held today at the Delhi Secretariat, in the presence of SC/ST/OBC Welfare Minister Shri Ravinder Indraj Singh and representatives from the Akhil Bharatiya Koli–Kori–Shankhwar Samaj, who had gathered from across the country. Notably, the Delhi Government has, for the first time, included Veerangana Jhalkari Bai Koli in the “Scheme for Commemorating Birth and Death Anniversaries of Eminent Personalities.” The community representatives expressed their gratitude and felicitated the Chief Minister for this historic decision.

The Chief Minister said that the purpose of this commemoration is not merely to honour Jhalkari Bai for a day, but to ensure that her story becomes known to future generations. She praised the efforts of the Koli–Kori–Shankhwar community in preserving the legacy of Jhalkari Bai.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said that alongside Rani Lakshmibai and Jhalkari Bai, thousands of women warriors fought for India’s freedom and protection, giving their all, yet many of their names remain lost in the pages of history. It is our collective responsibility to make the present generation aware of their sacrifices. The Delhi Government is endeavouring to do this through grand celebrations of their birth and death anniversaries. Across Delhi, large-scale events will be organised on 22 November to celebrate the birth anniversary of Veerangana Jhalkari Bai.

The Chief Minister said that Jhalkari Bai was born into a humble Koli family, yet her father recognised her talent and trained her as a complete warrior—teaching her swordsmanship, horse riding and combat skills. Her life is an extraordinary example of skill, courage and sacrifice. Impressed by her abilities, Rani Lakshmibai entrusted her with an important role in the Durga Dal, her women’s army. During the decisive battle against the British, Jhalkari Bai—without regard for her own life—disguised herself as the Queen, misled the British forces, created a diversion, and held the enemy back so that Rani Lakshmibai could escape safely. “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 Chief Minister said.

She emphasised that the lives of Jhalkari Bai and Rani Lakshmibai prove that courage has no gender. The need of the hour is to empower our daughters with confidence, determination and strength. A generation that walks in the footsteps of such Veeranganas will build an even stronger India.

SC/ST/OBC Welfare Minister Shri Ravinder Indraj Singh said that the sacrifice made by Jhalkari Bai at the age of merely 28 is difficult to comprehend even today. Jhalkari Bai protected not only a queen but an entire lineage and its history. Her sacrifice is not just that of a warrior—it is one of the greatest examples of national defence. Over the next five years, the government will identify many such forgotten personalities and commemorate their birth anniversaries at the state level. It is the firm resolve of this government that no community’s heroes remain in the shadows of history.

Minister further informed that during today’s program, another historic figure—Bhai Lakhi Rai Banjara—has also been added to the state’s list of eminent personalities to be honoured. His social contributions and his deep devotion to the Ninth Sikh Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, will be duly commemorated by the government.