Bhima Bai Holkar

Bhima Bai Holkar (17 September 1795 - 28 November 1858), was a daughter of Yashwant Rao Holkar, Maharaja of Indore, and the elder sister of Malhar Rao Holkar II.

In 1817, Bhima Bai Holkar fought bravely against the British colonel Malcolm and defeated him in guerilla warfare. At the Battle of Mahidpur, she led a brigade of 2,500 cavalry, sword and lance in hand, into the battle against the British at Mahidpur. It is believed that her act of taking on the East India Company as a soldier inspired Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi in 1858 during the Indian Rebellion of 1857

She died at Indore, 28 November 1858.