Telu Rauteli: The Fearless Warrior Princess of Uttarakhand”-A tale of courage, heritage, and the taste of the hills – by Pahadi Potli

A Legacy Carried in Courage

Long before the idea of freedom was celebrated in parades or written in books, it was lived — in the hills, forests, and battlefields of Uttarakhand. Among the bravest souls to walk this land was a young girl whose name still echoes in the folk songs of Garhwal — Telu Rauteli.

At Pahadi Potli, as we bottle the rich, bold flavours of Uttarakhand, we can’t help but be inspired by warriors like her — women who carried entire legacies on their shoulders. Just like a spoonful of homemade achar brings back the taste of home, Telu’s story brings back the power of our roots.

Who Was Telu Rauteli?

Telu Rauteli wasn’t a queen from a palace. She was a teenage girl from the Garhwal hills who became one of India’s youngest and fiercest warriors. At just 15 years old, after losing her father and brothers to battle, Telu chose to fight. Not for glory, but for her motherland.
She picked up the sword and led an army to reclaim what was hers.

She fought seven battles in seven days, reclaiming villages like Khairagarh, Kalinkakhal, and Chaukhutia from invading forces. Her strength, leadership, and fearlessness were far beyond her years. Tragically, she died in battle at just 20 — but her story didn’t end there. It lived on, passed down in Garhwali jagar songs, as a symbol of unstoppable courage.

The Mountain Spirit

Telu Rauteli's story is more than history — it's the soul of Uttarakhand. It reflects the undying strength of pahadi women — whether on the battlefield, in fields, or in the warmth of their kitchens.

In our homes, we’ve seen this spirit too. We’ve seen it in our mothers and grandmothers, waking up early, working hard, cooking with fire and love, preserving the taste of generations. They may not have held swords, but they fought battles of their own — to raise families, preserve culture, and keep traditions alive.

Pickles and Pride: What We Inherit

At Pahadi Potli, we make pickles the way our mothers and grandmothers did — with bare hands, big hearts, and no shortcuts. Our handmade, preservative-free pickles are more than food. They are a tribute to the land we come from. A land that gave us bold flavours and bold women.

Just like Telu Rauteli, our recipes are fearless — strong, rooted, and unforgettable.
Whether it’s the fiery sukha aam ka achar, tangy lemon-chili mix, or earthy flavoured salts, every jar we make carries the taste of Uttarakhand — and the pride of being pahadi.

Preserving More Than Flavour

Telu Rauteli didn’t fight for fame. She fought for her people, her land, her honour. In a way, we’re trying to do the same — not with swords, but with spoons. We want every bite to remind you of home, every jar to carry a memory, and every flavour to tell a story.

We believe that preserving heritage is just as important as preserving pickles.

So the next time you open a jar of Pahadi Potli, remember — it’s not just food.
It’s the courage of Telu.
The care of your nani.
The taste of a hill soaked in history.
Conclusion: Bold Like Telu

Telu Rauteli’s life may have been short, but her impact was lasting. She showed us that age, gender, and fear mean nothing when the heart is strong. She inspires us — not just to be proud of our past, but to carry it forward.

At Pahadi Potli, we bottle more than pickles.
We bottle stories.
We bottle pride.
We bottle the bold, unshakable taste of Uttarakhand.