Rani Lakshmi Bai, popularly known as “Rani of Jhansi” was one of the prominent nationalists and Rani of the princely state of Jhansi. An epitome of resistance and bravery, she was at the forefront of the 1857 rebellion against the British.
She is one of the youngest freedom fighters from India. A woman of valour and self-respect, her prolonged love for the kingdom and nation is honoured and celebrated even today.
This topic is relevant to learn more about India’s Independence struggle and theModern History for UPSC. Candidates preparing for SSC, State PCS, and other central government exams can also go through this article.
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Early Life of Rani Lakshmi Bai
- Born on 19th November 1835 in a Marathi Brahmin family, her early name was Manikarnika Tambe. Her father, Moropant Tambe, and mother, Bhagirathi Sapre hailed from Tambe in Ratnagiri village of Maharashtra. Her father was employed with Peshwa Baji Rao II. Apart from learning to read and write, she got trained in horse riding, shooting, and fencing.
- Unlike other children, she was independent and received support from her parents to pursue her will. She fought against the highly conservative society that expected women to behave according to patriarchal norms.
- Her unique perspectives and indomitable adherence to confronting social injustice made her one of the most unassailable personalities since childhood. She shared a bond with Nana Saheb and Tantia Tope.
Jhansi
- After getting married to Gangadhar Rao Newalker, the Maharaja of Jhansi, she was known as Lakshmibai. Before his death, Gangadhar Rao adopted a son called Anand Rao and renamed him Damodar Rao. He instructed that the Kingdom of Jhansi be given to his widow and that his adopted son should be treated with respect.
Doctrine of Lapse
- General Dalhousie, who served as the Governor-General of India from 1848 to 1856, adopted the Doctrine of Lapse, an annexation policy. According to that, the East India Company has conferred the right to annex any princely state under its direct or indirect control, if the state did not have a legal male heir. According to the policy, an adopted son cannot be proclaimed the heir of the kingdom.
- Damodar Rao, the adopted son of Maharaja was rejected by the British to claim the throne and the territories of Jhansi were annexed by them. The British brazenly rejected Rani Lakshmibai’s rights over the kingdom and asked her to leave the palace immediately with an annual pension of 60,000 granted by them.
Indian Rebellion of 1857
- Till the beginning of the Revolt of 1857, Rani did not openly rebel against the British. She organised the Haldi Kumkum ceremony and assured people that the British are not courageous enough and that they need not be afraid of them.
- In 1857, the 12th Bengal Naval Infantry seized the Star Fort of Jhansi under the British and massacred a number of European officers along with their families. Most of the British officials suspected Rani’s part in the massacre.
- The Kingdom of Jhansi again faced invasions from company allies, Orchha and Datia, intending to divide Jhansi between themselves. Her call for help got rejected by the British general as they were suspicious of her involvement in the attack on Star Fort. However, she organised a force, including supporters from Jhansi and sepoys from the mutiny.
- Rani ruled as a regent of Jhansi from 1857 to 1858. The British sent an army under the commanding officer, Hugh Rose to capture Jhansi. Rani Lakshmibai, reluctant to surrender her kingdom, proclaimed, “We fight for independence. In the words of Lord Krishna, we will if we are victorious, enjoy the fruits of victory, if defeated and killed on the field of battle, we shall surely earn eternal glory and salvation.”
- Forces under Rani had already set up cannons on the forts to fire over the town. The British asked her to surrender Jhansi, or it would be destroyed. But, Rani strongly defended the city. The bombardment of the city resulted in heavy losses on both sides. She received help from forces led by Tantia Tope. Tantia Tope was defeated by the British at the Battle of Betwa. Realising the futility of resistance in the city, she escaped from the palace with her son and joined the forces led by Tantia Tope in Kalpi. Amidst her attempts to defend the city, it was again attacked by the British, and Rani got defeated.
- Rani, along with Tantia Tope, the Nawab of Banda, and Rao Sahib, fled Kalpi and reached Gwalior. They seized the treasury, the arsenal and proclaimed Nana Sahib as the “Peshwa”.They failed to defend the city and were again attacked by British forces. She sought support from Scindia of Gwalior, but they were on the British side. Instead, she received support from the soldiers of Scindia’s army.
- In a ferocious war that followed, Rani got injured and was shot by a soldier. It took place near Kotah ki Saral near Gwalior.
- The Peshwa army disbanded after the death of Rani. Following her death, the British forces captured Gwalior city in three days.
- According to revelations from Hugh Rose, she has been cremated in a grand ceremony under the rock of Gwalior. In his words,” she is the most dangerous of Indian leaders”.
Read the NCERT Notes on Rani Lakshmi Bai – Rani of Jhansi from the linked article.
Recognitions
- The women’s unit of the Indian National Army was named the “Rani of Jhansi Regiment” in her memory.
- Rani Jhansi Marine National park is located in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
- Several educational and cultural institutions are named after her. Some of these are:
1. The Lakshmibai National University of Physical Education in Gwalior, Lakshmibai
2. National College of Physical Education in Thiruvananthapuram
3. Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College in Jhansi
4. Rani Lakshmi Central Agricultural University.
Frequently Asked Questions about Rani Lakshmibai
What role did Rani Lakshmi Bai play in the revolt of 1857?
A warrior queen and Rani of Jhansi, she was a part of India’s first struggle for Independence. She posed strong resistance to the British army led by General Hugh Rose and did not surrender even after her army got inundated.
When did Rani Lakshmi Bai join the revolt of 1857?
Rani Lakshmibai, an icon of the Indian freedom movement, joined the freedom struggle after her kingdom was annexed by the British as a part of the Doctrine of Lapse. She joined Tantia Tope, Nana Saheb, and other rebels at the forefront of the movement.
Who helped Rani Lakshmi Bai during the revolt?
Forces led by Tantia Tope helped her to resist the British forces from annexing Jhansi.
Why did Rani Lakshmi Bai declare war on the British?
British forces sent an army under Hugh Roses to annex the kingdom of Jhansi, which caused her resentment. As a result, she declared war on the British and joined the rebel forces.
Who defeated Jhansi Rani in 1857?
British general Hugh Rose prompted Rani Lakshmibai to surrender the kingdom of Jhansi. She joined the rebel forces and fled to Gwalior. She got injured and was accidentally fired on by a soldier, which resulted in her death at Kota-ki-Serai.
Where did Rani Lakshmi Bai lead the revolt in 1857?
In the first struggle for Independence, she led the revolt from Jhansi, a place in present-day Uttar Pradesh.
What did Hugh Rose say about Rani Lakshmi Bai?
According to Hugh Rose, Rani Laksmibai was “personable, clever, and beautiful”, and was the “ most dangerous of all Indian leaders”.
Who described Rani of Jhansi as a “bright spot in the dark background”?
Jawaharlal Nehru described Rani Lakshmi Bai as a “bright spot in the dark background”.
Note: Aspirants can go through notes on India’s Struggle for Independence to get a detailed understanding of the same.
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