All You Need To Know About Ankita Lokhande’s Character In Manikarnika: The Queen Of Jhansi

One of the biggest television sensations, Ankita Lokhande forayed into films in the recent past. Making her transition from small screen to celluloid, the Pavitra Rishta star was seen in an eminent role of Jhalkari Bai in Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi. There is little known about Jhalkari Bai though, the ferocious ‘double’ of the Queen of Jhansi, Rani Laxmi Bai.

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In the historical drama, Ankita portrays this brave warrior whose tale is definitely the stuff of legends but doesn’t exactly enjoy the legendary status it should. Not many are aware, but it was Jhalkari Bai who helped Rani Laxmi escape when one of her own betrayed her in a battle against the Britishers.

Born on 22 November 1830, Jhalkari Bai was born into a poor, Kori (a Dalit community) family to Sadoba Singh and Jamuna Devi. Caste discrimination deprived her of education, but she did receive training in wielding weapons and horse-riding. Her marriage to Puran Singh, a soldier in the artillery wing of Rani Laxmi Bai’s army, proved to be a turning point in Jhalkari’s life. Tales of her bravery spread like wildfire, but it was her uncanny resemblance to Laxmi Bai that caught the Queen’s attention. She at once inducted her lookalike in her women’s army.

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A fearless fighter who fought alongside #Manikarnika⚔ @lokhandeankita as Jhalkari Bai! #ManikarnikaTrailer out tomorrow! #KanganaRanaut #DannyDenzongpa @mohdzeeshanayyub @senguptajisshu #KrishJagarlamudi #ShariqPatel #KamalJain @zeestudiosofficial #JhansiKiRani

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Cut to 1857. The Mutiny of the Sepoys made way for the Revolt of 1857, India’s first war of Independence. Amongst the rebellions that broke across the country, Rani Laxmi Bai played a crucial role as a freedom fighter. The following year, in 1858, Field Marshal Hugh Henry Rose of the British Army attacked Jhansi. While Laxmi Bai took on his army with mere 4,000 soldiers, her unshakeable courage would have easily led her to hold the fort longer. But one of her own, Dulha Joo had joined hands with the Britishers and opened the gates of Jhansi for them to enter. Generals of the Queen advised her to escape and it was then that Jhalkari Bai sprang into action.

Jhalkari Bai disguised herself as the Queen and took charge of the army. She marched up to General Rose’s tent and yelled for a meeting with Rose himself. Rose fell for the trap and took Jhalkari Bai for Jhansi Ki Rani, giving the real Rani Laxmi Bai an easy way out. However, it was when Dulha Joo recognized Jhalkari Bai that the British learned of being deceived. While stories of Jhalkari Bai’s end vary from account to account, they all speak of her gallantry and fearlessness in the highest regard.

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On the occasion of Jhalkari Bai’s 188th Birth anniversary, I want to take this opportunity to introduce you to the women she really was. Jhalkaribai was a woman soldier who played an important role in the Indian Rebellion of 1857. She served in the women's army of Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi. She eventually rose to a position of a prominent advisor to the queen, Rani of Jhansi herself. Her heroism and sacrifices for the society are unsung but this woman was one of the most important factors in the battle of Jhansi. I had never thought that I would get a chance to play such a strong character in my life but Manikarnika had taken me to a journey of not only discovering the real Jhalkari Bai but also helped me discover the Jhalkari Bai in me. This note is to each and every girl who is out there and who are fighting their own battles. I just want to tell you that don't give up. Fight your battles with pride and never let anyone put you down. @manikarnikathefilm releasing on 25th January 2019 #KanganaRanaut @ZeeStudios_ @kamaljain_thekj @Dirkrish @Jisshusengupta @prasoonjoshi_ #vijayendraprasad @Shankar_Live @neeta_lulla #ankitalokhande

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Such was the other Laxmi Bai aka Jhalkari Bai. It makes us immensely proud that Ankita played such a daring character in her very first venture on the silver screen.

Directed by Krish and Kangana, Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi is produced by Zee Studios in association with Kamal Jain and Nishant Pitti. The film released on January 25, 2019.