Phoolan Devi, a prominent figure in Indian history, transitioned from bandit to politician. Her life story is one of resilience, revenge, and ultimately, tragedy. This blog post details her life and controversial career.
Wiki/Biography
Born on August 10, 1963, in Ghura Ka Purwa village, Jalaun district, Uttar Pradesh, Phoolan Devi’s early life was marked by poverty. Her family, belonging to the Mallah (boatman) caste, owned a small plot of land. At age 11, a family dispute over a neem tree led to her being brutally beaten, a traumatic event that profoundly shaped her future.
Family, Caste & Husband
Phoolan Devi was the fourth child of Devi Din Mallah and Moola. Only she, her elder sister Rukmini Devi Nishad, younger sister Munni Devi, and brother survived. At 11, she was married to Puttilal Mallah, a significantly older man. Later relationships included a live-in partnership with bandit Vikram Mallah and a marriage to politician Ummed Singh.
| Relationship | Name | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Husband | Puttilal Mallah | Married at age 11, significantly older than her. |
| Lover/Partner | Vikram Mallah | Bandit, second-in-command to Babu Gujjar. |
| Husband | Ummed Singh | Politician. |
Life As A Bandit
In 1979, after being abandoned by her husband, Phoolan fell in with a gang of dacoits. She suffered severe abuse at the hands of gang leader Babu Gujjar before being rescued by Vikram Mallah. After Vikram’s death, she was brutally abused by Rajputs in Behmai village. With the help of Man Singh, she escaped and formed her own gang, primarily composed of Mallahs.
Her gang engaged in violent raids and robberies, often targeting the upper-caste community. The infamous Behmai massacre in 1981, where she and her gang killed 20 upper-caste men, cemented her reputation as “Bandit Queen”.
Life As A Politician
Following her surrender and release in 1994, Phoolan Devi entered politics. She joined the Samajwadi Party, winning the Mirzapur Lok Sabha seat in 1996. She served as an MP until her assassination in 2001. Her political career was marked by both success and controversy, including the withdrawal of cases against her by the Uttar Pradesh government.
- Won Mirzapur Lok Sabha seat in 1996.
- Served as an MP until 2001.
- Controversial withdrawal of cases against her.
Controversies
Phoolan Devi’s life was rife with controversy. The movie “Bandit Queen” sparked a major dispute, with her initially fighting for its ban. Other controversies included the circumstances surrounding the withdrawal of charges against her and the location of her cremation.
- Dispute over the film “Bandit Queen”.
- Controversy surrounding the withdrawal of criminal charges.
- Disagreement over her cremation location.
Favourite Things
* **Actor:** Shah Rukh Khan
* **Movie:** Rudaali
* **Song:** Dil Hoom Hoom Kare
Facts
Phoolan Devi’s life was marked by numerous hardships and significant events. She wrote an autobiography, learned to use a rifle, and even expressed a desire not to be reborn as a woman. These details further illuminate the complexities of her remarkable, if tragic, life.
- Authored autobiography “I, Phoolan Devi”.
- Learned to use a rifle from Vikram Mallah.
- Expressed a desire not to be reborn as a woman.
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