#dalithistorymonth

“Dalit women have made immense contribution towards shaping the Indian society, but their efforts have long been ignored. April is Dalit History Month, here are five Dalit women your history books won't tell you about.”

From Feminism In India

Our first #Dalithistory month post is about the legendary Jhalkari Bai. She was a legendary Dalit woman warrior who played a crucial role in the Indian Rebellion of 1857 during the battle of Jhansi in the women’s army of Queen Laxmibai of Jhansi. Born into a poor Dalit family, she started her career as an ordinary soldier and eventually rose to be the Queen’s trusted advisor. At the height of the battle she disguised herself as the queen and fought to let the queen escape safely out of the fort. As she led her brave cadre of women into the British camp, she challenged even the General of the British Forces. His reply on meeting her: “If even one per cent of Indian women were like Jhalkari; the British would soon have to leave India.” Her story lives on in Bundelkhand region of India and inspires Dalit women everywhere!”

As seen on the Dalit History Month Facebook page

Check out these beautiful posters put together by Equality Labs and animator-illustrator Ian Trujilo 

Equality Labs is a South Asian organization that uses community research, socially engaged art, and technology to end the oppression of caste apartheid, Islamophobia, white supremacy, and religious intolerance.