What is phoolan devi?

Phoolan Devi, also known as "Bandit Queen," was an Indian dacoit (armed robber) from the state of Uttar Pradesh. Born on August 10, 1963, in a lower-caste family, she was forced into marriage at the age of 11 and later became a victim of gang rape by upper-caste men. Seeking revenge, she joined a gang of bandits and led them in a series of raids across northern India.

In 1981, Phoolan Devi and her gang attacked a village in the state of Uttar Pradesh, killing 22 upper-caste men in retaliation for her own rape. She was subsequently arrested and spent 11 years in prison, where she was allegedly tortured and sexually assaulted by authorities.

Upon her release in 1994, Phoolan Devi entered politics and was elected to the Indian Parliament in 1996. She championed the rights of the marginalized communities and became known as the "voice of the oppressed." However, her political career was cut short when she was assassinated in 2001 by a group of upper-caste men, purportedly in revenge for the 1981 massacre.

Phoolan Devi's life and legacy have been the subject of several books, films, and documentaries. She remains a controversial figure and a symbol of resistance for many marginalized communities in India.