Sheikh Bhikhari Ansari was born on October 2, 1819, into the weaver Ansari family of Lotwa-Khudia Village in Ranchi, Jharkhand, India. He participated in the Revolt of 1857 against British control in India.

Since boyhood, Sheikh Bhikhari Ansari has worked as a craftsman, making coarse clothing and selling them at the local Haat market. Sheikh Bhikhari Ansari fought in the Indian Rebellion of 1857 as a Dewan and general under Tikait Umrao Singh.

Sheikh Bhikhari Ansari stopped East India Company forces from taking Ranchi by cutting down Chutupalu Ghati trees to hinder their march before facing Company men. On January 8, 1858, the British hung him and Tikait Umrao Singh under a banyan tree in Chutupalu Ghati in Ramgarh. General McDoland stated at the time, "Among the rebels, Bhikhari is the most dangerous and notorious mutineer."