On November 16, events to commemorate the martyrdom of Uda Devi, a freedom fighter from the Pasi community, were held at various places in Uttar Pradesh.
About:
She was born in Ujirao, Lucknow.
She was part of the royal guard of Begum Hazrat Mahal of Awadh.
Uda Devi is remembered not only for her stories of valour but also for her skill as a leader who managed to mobilise people — specially Dalit women — to take up arms against the British.
On November 16, 1857, Uda Devi was among the soldiers who clashed with the British regiment stationed near the Gomti River.
She formed an all-women battalion, today called the Dalit Veeranganas, to take part in armed uprisings against the British.
Devi belonged to the Pasi community, which was labelled a ‘criminal caste’ by the British administration under the Criminal Tributes Act, 1871.
Pasis:
Pasis are traditionally pig-herders and toddy tappers and were listed as the second-largest Dalit group in Uttar Pradesh after the 2001 census.
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