Rani Lakshmi Bai Biography
Rani Laxmibai also called the Rani of Jhansi was a pivotal figure in the Indian Revolt of 1857. She is also regarded as one of the greatest freedom fighters of India.
Background- Born on November 19, 1828 in Varanasi to a Marathi family as Manikarnika.
- Her parents were Moropant Tambe and Bhagirathi Bai. Her father was working at the Peshwa’s court in Bithoor.
- After her mother died when she was four, her father brought her up. The Peshwa also took a keen interest in her upbringing.
- She was educated and taught horse riding, fencing and shooting to a target.
- Her childhood friends were Nana Sahib and Tatya Tope.
- At the age of 14, she was married to the Maharaja of Jhansi, Gangadhar Rao in 1842.
- After her marriage, she was called Laxmibai.
- Her son Damodar Rao was born in 1851. But he died after four months.
- Gangadhar Rao died in 1853. Before he died, he had adopted his cousin’s son Anand Rao, who was renamed Damodar Rao.
Rani Lakshmi Bai Contributions in Indian Freedom Struggle
Role in the 1857 Revolt- Lord Dalhousie sought to annex Jhansi when the Maharaja died applying the Doctrine of lapse since the king did not have any natural heir.
- As per this, the Rani was granted an annual pension and asked to leave the fort of Jhansi.
- The Revolt of 1857 had broken out in Meerut and the Rani was ruling over Jhansi as regent for her minor son.
- British forces under the command of Sir Hugh Rose arrived at Jhansi fort with the intention of capturing it in 1858.
- He demanded that the city surrender to him or else it would be destroyed.
- Rani Laxmibai refused and proclaimed, “We fight for independence. In the words of Lord Krishna, we will if we are victorious, enjoy the fruits of victory, if defeated and killed on the field of battle, we shall surely earn eternal glory and salvation.”
- For two weeks the battle went on where the Rani led her army of men and women valiantly against the British.
- Despite courageous fighting, Jhansi lost the battle.
- The Rani, tying her infant son on her back, escaped to Kalpi on horseback.
- Along with Tatya Tope and other rebel soldiers, the Rani captured the fort of Gwalior.
- Afterwards, she proceeded to Morar, Gwalior to fight the British.
- Rani Laxmibai died while fighting in Gwalior on 18th June 1858, aged 29. She was dressed as a soldier when she died.
- Sir Hugh Rose has commented, “Remarkable for her beauty, cleverness and perseverance, she had been the most dangerous of all the rebel leaders. The best and bravest of all.”
- Rani Laxmibai became a symbol of resistance against British rule for later nationalists in India.
- She will always be remembered as a great martyr who laid down her life for the cause of freedom. She is a symbol of courage, heroism and woman power.
