Bhima Bai Holkar

Bhima Bai Holkar
Holkar Princess of Indore
Born17 September 1795
Rajwada indore district Madhya Pradesh India
Died28 November 1858(1858-11-28) (aged 63)
Indore, Madhya Pradesh
FatherMaharaja Yashwantrao Holkar
MotherKrishna Bai Holkar
ReligionHinduism

Bhima Bai Holkar (17 September 1795 – 28 November 1858) was a daughter of Yashwant Rao Holkar, Maharaja of Indore. She was the grand-daughter of queen Ahilya Bai Holkar and the elder sister of Malhar Rao Holkar III.

In 1817, Bhima Bai Holkar fought bravely against the British general John 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, 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 during the Indian Rebellion of 1857.

She died at Indore on 28 November 1858.