Rani Lakshmi Bai

Rani Lakshmi Bai was born at Kashi, now Varanasi in the year 1828. During her childhood, she was known by the name of 'Manikarnika'. Her family lovingly called her Manu. At the age of four, she lost her mother. Her father brought her up. She took her formal training in martial arts, which included horse riding, shooting, and fencing. In the year 1842, she was married to the Maharaja of Jhansi, Raja Gangadhar Rao Niwalkar. After her marriage, she was given the name 'Lakshmi Bai'. In the year 1851, a son was born but unluckily, the child did not survive for more than four months.

In the year 1853, Gangadhar Rao fell ill and became very weak. So, the couple decided to adopt a child. Lakshmi Bai got this adoption witnessed by the local British representatives to ensure that the British do not create an issue over the adoption. On 21" November, 1853, Maharaja Gangadhar Rao died. At that time, Lord Dalhousie was the Governor-General of British India. The adopted child was named 'Damodar Rao'. As per the Hindu tradition, he was their legal heir. However, the British rulers refused to accept him as the legal heir. As per the Doctrine of Lapse, Lord Dalhousie decided to grab the state of Jhansi. Rani Lakshmi Bai went to a British lawyer and consulted him. Thereafter, she filed an appeal for the hearing of her case in London. But, her petition was rejected.

The British authorities took all her state jewels. An order was passed asking Rani to leave Jhansi fort and move to the Rani Mahal in Jhansi. Jhansi became the central point of rebellion. Rani of Jhansi started to build up her position. By getting the support of others, she formed a volunteer army. The army not only consisted of the menfolk, but the women were also aggressively involved. All were given military training to fight a battle.

In the revolt, Rani Lakshmi Bai was accompanied by her generals. Rani protected Jhansi from being invaded by the armies of the neighboring Rajas of Orchha and Datia. In January 1858, the British army headed itself towards Jhansi. The conflict went on for two weeks. Finally, the Britishers succeeded in the annexation of the city.

However, Rani Laksmi Bai managed to escape along with her son, by disguising herself as a man. She took refuge in Kalpi. where she met Tatya Tope, a great warrior

She died on 17th June, during the battle of Gwalior. She is known as the 'Icon of the Indian Nationalist Movement Throughout the uprising, the main aim of Rani was to protect the throne for her adopted son Damodar. Her story became an inspiration for the upcoming generations of freedom fighters.