Uda Devi

About Uda Devi:

• 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.

Source : Indian Express