History textbooks are always occupied with the glittering mentions of Jhansi ki Rani, who is celebrated till date as the dominant example of female heroism in the country.
Rani Lakshmibai was born as Manikarnika Tambe in Varanasi in 1828 to Maharashtrian Brahmins parents. She lost her mother at the tender age of four and was raised by her father who worked in the court of the Peshwa in Bithoor. It is said that the Peshwa was impressed of young Manu's intelligence and took a keen interest in her upbringing.
Manikarnika’s childhood was way ahead of her times. She grew up with Nana Sahib and Tatya Tope, was educated at home and was also imparted training in horsemanship, fencing, shooting – something women could only dream of at that time.
She got married to the Maharaja of Jhansi, Gangadhar Rao Newalkar, in 1842, at the age of 14. It was then that she got her name Lakshmibai – a name which would immortalise her forever.
Lakshmibai’s marriage was short-lived as the Maharaja passed away in 1853. This event, tragic as it was, brought the dawn of a new chapter in the Rani’s life.
The British took advantage of Maharaja’s death in 1853, and the then Governor General, Lord Dalhousie applied the Doctrine of Lapse, rejecting Damodar Rao’s(their adopted son) claim to the throne. This, despite Gangadhar Rao and Lakshmibai solemnising the adoption of Damodar Rao in the presence of a British political officer.
The war of 1857, It is said that prior to the Sepoy Mutiny, Lakshmibai was rather reluctant to rebel against the British and that Jhansi was relatively peaceful in the initial phases of the revolt, unlike most of north India.
It was only in 1858 that she took up arms against the British when Sir Hugh Rose, commanding officer of the British forces, demanded the surrender ofJhansi.Lakshmibai rebelled and organised forces to oust the British. She was joined in the battle led by Tatya Tope and Nana Sahib.
She gave the British a tough fight, fled to Kalpi and then Gwalior during the course of the battle and finally succumbed to the British forces in Gwalior in 1858.
The descriptions we have all grown up with of her bravery and heroism are absolutely inspiring. She marched into battle alongside her troops, dressed like a man, and died when a Hussar horseman’s sword came down on her head in the heat of battle. It is said that her troops spirited her away into the forests, but General Hugh Rose who led the British forces against her claimed to have seen her cremation in a letter he later wrote to his commander praising her courage.
Her body was cremated as per her wishes (some accounts note that Lakshmibai didn’t want her body to be captured by the British hence asked a hermit to cremate it). Three days after the death of Lakshmibai, the British captured the Fort of Gwalior.
She was an extraordinary woman who portrayed exemplary courage and bravery in the battlefield and at the same time was so tender and caring for her countrymen. The way she strapped her infant to her back while galloping on the horse in the battlefield was a sight of wonder for the people.
It's been 160 years of her martyrdom. Her bravery, courage, wisdom, her progressive views on women's empowerment in 19th century India, and her sacrifices made her an icon of the Indian Independence Movement. The Rani was memorialized in bronze statues at both Jhansi and Gwalior, both of which portray her on horseback. Her story became a beacon for the upcoming generations of freedom fighters.
Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi will always be remembered for her unbreakable patriotism and astonishing courage.
The love that she had for her Jhansi and her people is narrated by various poets and authors in their works but the most famous of them is the poem by Subhadra kumari Chauhan, which has inspired many generations till date.
“Bundeley Harbolon ke muh se hamney suni kahani thi,
Khoob ladi mardani woh to Jhansi wali Rani thi.”
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