Rani of Jhansi, Lakshmi Bai was an Indian queen. She was an unforgettable warrior in the history of India. She was one of the leading figures of the Indian Rebellion of 1857. Rani of Jhansi proved her valor and heroism in the 1857 rebellion against the Britishers, and this battle was also declared as the "First War of Independence". Rani Lakshmi Bai, was the first woman warrior in Indian history to be this brave and powerful.
Rani of Jhansi's Bio and Early Life
- Full Name : Manikarnika Tambe (After Marriage : Lakshmi Bai)
- Birthday : 19th Nov, 1828, Varanasi
- Father Name : Moropant Tambe
- Mother Name : Bhagirathi Sapre
- Spouse : Gangadhar rao Newalkar
- Dynasty : Newalkar
- Children : Damodar rao, Anand Rao (adopted)
- Death : 18 june, 1858
When she was 4 years old her mother passed away. Her father worked for Peshwa Baji Rao II of Bithoor district. She was educated at home and was taught to read and write. Manikarnika got all the teaching in martial arts, fencing, horse riding, shooting and Mallakhamba her Nana Sahib and Tatya Tope.
At the age of 14 Manikarnika was married to the Maharaja of Jhansi, Gangadhar Rao Newalkar, in May 1842. After her marriage Rani of Jhansi got the name Lakshmi Bai. She gave birth to son and named him Damodar Rao, but unfortunately, after four months, the child died due to chronic illness.
In 1853, The Maharaja adopted a child called Anand Rao who was renamed Damodar Rao, on the day before the Maharaja died.
Rani of Jhansi's Contributions in Indian Freedom Struggle
After the Maharaja's death, the British Government took an opportunity which caused the loss of bloodline heir, and considered occupying Jhansi. The British East India Company, under Governor-General Lord Dalhousie, applied the Doctrine of Lapse, rejecting Damodar Rao's claim to the throne and annexing the state to its territories. The Rani of Jhansi was granted an annual pension of Rs 60,000 and asked to leave the fort of Jhansi.
The Indian Rebellion started in Meerut on 10 May, 1857. When this news reached Jhansi, the Rani asked the British political officer, Captain Alexander Skene, to raise a body of armed men for her own protection, the officer agreed to this. the Rani of Jhansi was ruling over Jhansi as regent for her minor son.
In June 1857, rebels of the 12th Bengal Native Infantry seized the Star Fort of Jhansi. After persuading the British to lay down arms, broke their word and killed 40 to 60 officers of the Garrison along with their wife and children.
She wrote to Major Erskine, commissioner of the Saugor division explaining the events which had led her to do that massacre. Erskine wrote in reply, on 2 July requesting her to manage the District for the British Government until the arrival of a British Superintendent.
Then the forces of Company allies Orchha and Datia attacked Jhansi, their intention was to divide Jhansi between themselves. The Rani wrote a letter to the British commissioner for that but the governor-general believed that Rani of Jhansi was responsible for the massacre and no reply was received.
Jhansi under the Rani's rule was at peace from August 1857 to January 1858. The British had announced that troops would be sent there to maintain control.
In 1858, Sir Hugh Rose, the commander of the central Indian Field force arrived at Jhansi. He demanded the surrender of the city and if Rani of Jhansi refused to do so then he will destroy the city.
This didn’t affect Rani Lakshmi Bai’s bravery. She decided to fight against them and fight for their independence. For two weeks the battle went on where the Rani led her army against the British. Despite courageous fighting, Jhansi lost the battle.
The Rani of Jhansi escaped in the night with her son on her back, she jumped on her horse Badal from the fort. She decamped to Kalpi with a few guards, where she joined additional rebel forces, including Tatya Tope.
They occupied the town of Kalpi and prepared to defend it. British forces attacked Kalpi on 22 May. the British force again defeated the Rani. The Rani of Jhansi, Tatya Tope, the Nawab of Banda, and Rao Sahib fled to Gwalior and joined the Indian forces.
The Indian rebel forces occupied the city without opposition and they choose Nana Sahib as Peshwa and Rao Sahib as his governor. Rani of Jhansi warned everybody to stay alert for the attack of the British troops but was not able to convince anyone. On 16 June, General Rose's forces took Morar and then made a successful attack on the Gwalior city.
Rani of Jhansi's Death
Rani Lakshmi Bai fought till the end and didn’t surrender. She was severely injured but refused to surrender. She fought fiercely on the battlefield. The Rani of Jhansi, dressed as a cavalry leader according to tradition. She was wounded by one of the English horsemen and collapsed. She fought with her son tied on her back and died with a sword in her hand. Her loyal attendant immediately removed her body and lit the funeral pyre.
Rani of Jhansi was martyred on 18th June 1858 at Kotah-ki-Serai in Gwalior.
Conclusion
The Rani of Jhansi, was the first woman warrior in Indian history to be this brave and powerful. She was one of the bravest freedom fighters of India. She was martyred for the freedom of India from the British rule. She is an inspiration and an admiration for a lot of people. She will always be remembered as a great martyr who laid down her life for the cause of freedom.
Hugh Rose said that Rani Lakshmi bai is "personable, clever and beautiful" and she is "the most dangerous of all Indian leaders" in the British report of Gwalior battle.
