Uda Devi, forgotten woman warrior, Sepoy Mutiny, from Lucknow, who killed over 32 British soldiers in 1857 revolt. She was born in a Dalit family in a village in Awadh. She was one of the prominent ‘Dalit Veeranganas’, who participated in the 1857 revolt.
At a young age, she sensed the anger among people against the British administration. She had led one of the fiercest battles in Lucknow, the Battle in Sikandar Bagh. She went to Begum Hazrat Mahal to seek help in preparation for battle against the British. Begum helped her to form the women’s battalion which Uda Devi led herself as Commander. She became an associate of the Begum Hazrat Mahal.
When the British army under the leadership of commander Colin Campbell’s attacked Sikandarbagh, the army had to face the wall of thousands of Dalit women. Many poems were written during that time which highlights the important moments of the battle. One such poem goes like this: Koi unko habsin kehta, koi kehta neech achuut, Abla koi unhein batlaye, Koi kahe unhe majboot. (Some called them black African women, some untouchable. Some called them weak, others strong). During the battle, when Uda Devi received the information that her husband got martyred, she vowed to avenge his death.
On seeing the British army coming towards Sikandra, she climbed a banyan tree disguised as a man and as a sniper killed 32 soldiers of the British army.
On suspecting a sniper sitting on the tree, commander Colin Campbell ordered to fire at the tree. It was then that she was shot dead and fell to the ground. The soldiers were surprised when they got to know that a woman caused such a large number of fatalities. She alone killed as many as 32 British soldiers before she died on the battlefield on November 16, 1857. Every year on November 16, which is the anniversary of Uda Devi martyrdom, Pasi community (Uda Devi too belonged to it) of Pilibhit gathers to pay her tribute.
She alone killed as many as 32 British soldiers before she died on the battlefield on November 16, 1857.
She passed away more than 150 years ago but her bravery and courage are still an inspiration for many. People have not forgotten her sacrifices for the motherland. Though her memory remains sparse and restricted to some geographical areas. It is astonishing that the children and adults alike know about the valor of Jhansi Rani, but not of Uda Devi? Did caste play a role in writing the contribution of freedom fighters? India's War of Independence was won by Dalit and Bahujan resistance fighters like Uda Devi too, still, she remains hidden from mainstream education.
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