Introduction
Rani Lakshmi Bai (1828 - 1858) was the queen of the Maratha-ruled princely state of Jhansi. She was one of the leading figures of the Indian Rebellion of 1857 and became a symbol of resistance to the British Raj for Indian nationalists.
Quick Profile
- Birth Name: Manikarnika Tambe
- Born: November 19, 1828 (Varanasi, India)
- Died: June 18, 1858 (Gwalior, India)
- Father: Moropant Tambe
- Spouse: Maharaja Gangadhar Rao
Early Life and Education
Manikarnika was born into a Brahmin family. Unlike many girls of her time, she was educated at home and was trained in martial arts, including horse riding, fencing, and shooting. She grew up in an environment that encouraged independence and bravery.
The Struggle for Jhansi
In 1842, she married Maharaja Gangadhar Rao of Jhansi and was renamed Lakshmi Bai. They adopted a son, Damodar Rao, after their own son died in infancy. However, following the Maharaja's death in 1853, the British Governor-General Lord Dalhousie refused to recognize the adopted son's claim and applied the 'Doctrine of Lapse' to annex Jhansi.
The Rebellion of 1857
When the Indian Rebellion of 1857 broke out, Rani Lakshmi Bai took command of Jhansi. She organized her troops and successfully defended the fort against British attacks for several days. When the fort finally fell, she escaped dramatically by jumping from the fort walls on her horse, Badal, with her son tied to her back.
Battle and Martyrdom
She joined other rebel leaders like Tatya Tope and moved towards Gwalior. On June 18, 1858, while fighting the British forces near the Phool Bagh of Gwalior, she achieved martyrdom. Even the British commander, Sir Hugh Rose, praised her as "the most dangerous of all rebel leaders" and "a man among mutineers."