There isn’t any Indian who wouldn’t have grown up listening to

Subhadra Kumari Chauhan’s famous poem ‘Jhansi ki Rani’. Her

stories of valor and incorrigible resistance against the British, still
continue to fill everyone’s heart with immense pride and
gratitude. It is the result of the unprecedented bravery of Rani
Lakshmi Bai, that today her image comes first in our mind,
whenever we talk about the brave queens of India.

Today is the death anniversary of Rani Laxmi Bai, who awakened

India’s dormant urge for freedom from British rulers. Her fight
has been etched on the hearts of Indians forever. On the death
anniversary of Rani Laxmi Bai, let’s know about her life journey
which is full of indomitable courage and inspiration.

Tryst with destiny: From Manikarnika to Rani Laxmibai of Jhansi

Rani Lakshmibai was born on 19 November 1828 in Kashi. Her

father’s name was Moropant Tambe. Lakshmibai’s childhood
name was ‘Manikarnika’. She was affectionately addressed as
‘Manu’. Manu’s mother died in childhood. Manu’s father used to
work with Peshwa Saheb of Bithur. The Peshwa saheb raised
Manu like his own daughter. He named Manu ‘Chhabili’. From
childhood, Manu started learning about using weapons. She
became proficient in horse riding and fencing under the guidance
of Nana Saheb and Tatya Tope.

In the year 1842, Manu got married to the King of Jhansi,

Gangadhar Rao. She was 12 years old then. After marriage, she
got the name ‘Lakshmibai’. she gave birth to a son. Her son lived
for a few months and then passed away. After this incident, the
king adopted his nephew and named him Damodar Rao.
However, after the death of his first son, King Gangadhar became
very sad. Due to deteriorating health, he got bedridden. After
some time, the king of Jhansi died, and state management’s
responsibility fell to Rani Lakshmibai, which she managed
efficiently.

Rani Laxmi Bai made it clear to the Britishers that she will never
surrender Jhansi to them. She took this pledge. Till her last
breath, the queen fought against the British.

The doctrine of Lapse

At that time the British were not accepting the adopted sons as
heirs of the kings. According to their rule, If a king didn’t have
any successor related by blood, Then after the death of the king,
the entire state administration and management used to fall into
the hands of the British. The British were not ready to accept the
adopted child as heir. The British, under this policy, ordered the
merger of Jhansi into the British Empire and assured the queen of
pension. Rani Laxmibai did not agree to this contract in any way.
His only pledge was to protect the freedom of Jhansi.

The brave queen guarded the pride of Jhansi until her last breath
Rani Lakshmibai bravely protected Jhansi for seven days. She
fought the British bravely with her small armed force. She single-
handedly fought with the British, riding on a horse, tying
Damodar Rao behind her back. The war couldn’t go on like this
for many days. Accepting the request of the chieftains, the queen
left for Kalpi. After reaching there, She conquered the fort of
Gwalior with the help of Tatya Tope and Nana Saheb. After few
days, General Smith and Major Rules with their army marched to
Gwalior, pursuing the queen with full force. After a fierce battle,
Rani Lakshmi Bai died on 17 June 1858.

The devotion of the queen towards the motherland, awakened the

spirit of freedom among thousands of people. She inspired many
women to participate in the freedom movement. She sacrificed
her life for the dignity and freedom of her people. No doubt, She
was a true queen and a brave fighter.