Sitting on horseback, with her adopted son and heir strapped to her back and her sword pointing skyward, ready for battle, Rani Lakshmibai is one of the most inspiring figures of India’s freedom struggle. Fondly known as Jhansi ki Rani, the valiant queen refused to cede her kingdom of Jhansi to the British. Instead, she played a pivotal role in the 1857-58 uprising against the East India Company rule, considered to be India’s first battle for independence.
Born in 1828, Lakshmibai’s name was Manikarnika Tambe. In 1842, she married Maharaj Gangadhar Rao Newalkar of Jhansi. However, after her husband’s death, the British refused to acknowledge her adopted son Damodar Rao as the legal heir to the throne, citing the doctrine of lapse. This policy was introduced by the British to gain control over princely states.
But Lakshmibai was not one to give up easily. She trained and raised an army to fight the British. When an army led by General Hugh Rose attacked Jhansi, she thwarted the forces with the help of Tatya Tope. She did not surrender even after her troops were overwhelmed. Lakshmibai seized the city-fortress of Gwalior. Dressed as a cavalry leader, she fought fiercely against Rose’s army in Morar in 1858 and lost her life in the course of the battle. Lakshmibai’s example inspired others to stand up against the British.
Did you know?
The all-women combat force of the Indian National Army was called the Rani of Jhansi Regiment in honour of Rani Lakshmibai, one of the earliest feminists and revolutionary leaders. Led by Captain Lakshmi Swaminathan, the unit was raised in July 1943 with volunteers from the expatriate Indian population in Southeast Asia. The aim of the Indian National Army was to overthrow the British rule in India with the help of Japan.
Picture Credit : Google
