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Biography Lakshmi Bai, the Rani of a principality called Jhansi in northern India, led an uprising against a takeover of her homeland by the British. She became a heroine and a symbol of resistance to the British rule. Lakshmi Bai was born around 1830 into a wealthy, high-caste family. She was named Manukarnika, which is one of the names of the holy river Ganges. As a young woman, she learned to read, write and debate. She also learned horse riding and the use of weapons while playing with her adopted brothers. She accepted the name Lakshmi Bai when she married Gangadhar Rao, the maharajah of Jhansi and became the Rani of Jhansi. Gangadhar Rao married Lakshmi Bai at the age of about 40-45 years. This was his second marriage. His first wife died without producing an heir. The new Rani of Jhansi gave birth to a son, but he died when he was three months old. Subsequently, Damodar Rao, Gangadhar's relative, became their adopted son. In 1853, Gangadhar Rao died. The Governor-General of India, the Marquess of Dalhousie, announced that since Gangadhar Rao left no heir, the state of Jhansi would be annexed by the British Government. The British rejected the claim that Damodar Rao was the legal heir. According to Hindu law, little Damodar Rao was Gangadhar's heir and successor. In the Hindu religion, a surviving son, either biological or adopted, had an obligation to perform certain sacrifices after his father's death to prevent his father from being condemned to punishment or hell. The refusal of the British to acknowledge the legitimacy of Rajah's adopted son caused a serious consternation in the local population. Rani appealed her case to London, but that appeal was turned down.
Not wishing to give up her
kingdom, Lakshmi Bai assembled a volunteer army of 14,000 rebels and ordered
that defenses of the city itself be strengthened. Jhansi was attacked by the
British in March 1858. The Rani managed to escape on horseback under the cover of darkness and within twenty-four hours rode over one hundred miles to the fortress of Kalpi. Several other Indian rulers joined the rebel forces there. It is believed that the Rani was influential in convincing the others to go on the offensive and seize the fortress of Gwalior. This maneuver was successful and helped rally the rebel forces together. It wasn't long, however, before the British forces determined to win Gwalior back. A fierce battle ensued. Rani was in charge of the eastern side of defense, however she lost her life on the second day of fighting. The British won back Gwalior. Rani's body was given a ceremonial cremation and burial by the faithful servants. Sir Hugh Rose, the commander of the British force, wrote later, "The Rani was remarkable for her bravery, cleverness and perseverance; her generocity to her Subordinates was unbounded. These qualities, combined with her rank, rendered her the most dangerous of all the rebel leaders."
She was married to Raja Gangadhar Rao, the Maharaja of Jhansi in 1842, and became the Rani of Jhansi. After the marriage She was given the name Lakshmi Bai. The Marriage ceremony was perform in Ganesh Mandir, the temple of Lord Ganesha situated in the city of Jhansi. Rani Lakshmi Bai gave birth to a son in 1851, but unfortunately this child died when he was about four months old. After this tragedy, Damodar Rao was adopted as son. Later on Maharaja Gangadhar Rao also died on 21st November 1853. After the death of Maharaja Gangadhar Rao, Rani Lakshmi Bai was left alone. At this time she was eighteen years old. Rani Lakshmi Bai did not lost her courage, She always remembered her responsibility. At that time Lord Dalhousie was the Governor -General of India. Though little Damodar Rao, adopted son of late Maharaja Gangadhar Rao and Rani Lakshmi Bai was Maharaja's heir and successor as per the Hindu tradition, but the British rulers rejected Rani's claim that Damodar Rao was their legal heir. Loard Dalhousie decided to annexe the state of Jhansi as Maharaja Gangadhar Rao had left no legal heir. This misfortune of Jhansi was used by the Britishers to expand there Empire. In March 1854 the British ruler announced 60,000 ( Sixty
Thousand) annual pension for Rani and also ordered to leave the Jhansi fort.
Jhansi was in humiliating condition but it was like a silent volcano before
eruption.Rani Jhansi was determined not to give up Jhansi. She was a symbol of
patriotism and self respect. Britishers were making every effort to destroy the
freedom of country whereas Rani was determined to get rid of Britishers. The Britishers attacked Jhansi in March 1858. Rani Jhansi with her faithful warriors decided not to surrender. The fighting continued for about two weeks. Shelling on Jhansi was very fierce. In the Jhansi army women were also carrying ammunition and were supplying food to the soldiers. Rani Lakshmi Bai was very active. She herself was inspecting the defense of the city. However, after this great war, Jhansi fell to the British forces. On that black day, the British army entered the Jhansi City. Rani Lakshmi Bai,
still full of courage and deathless patriotism dressed as a man, took up arms,
her son Damodar Rao was strapped tightly to her back. She was holding the reins
of her horse in her mouth. In the fierce fighting she was using the sword with
both her hands. When the situation was not in control, Rani of Jhansi with some
of her warriors departed from Jhansi.
Biography Posted By Swapnil Sinha - Data Posted By Mrityunjay |
Rani
Lakshmi Bai, the fiery Queen of Jhansi, also known as the Rani of Jhansi, one of
the great nationalist heroine of the first war of India freedom, a symbol of
resistance to the British rule in India was born on 19th November 1835 at Kashi
(Presently known as Varanasi). Her father Moropanth was a Brahmin and her mother
Bhagirathibai was a cultured, intelligent and God fearing lady. Mannikarnika
(Manu) was the name of Rani Lakshmi Bai in her childhood. Manu lost her
mother at the age of four. The Complete responsibility of the young girl fell on
the father. She completed her education and also learned horse riding, Sword
fighting and shooting on a target with a gun.
