Lakshmibai
Rani Lakshmibai was a legendary Rajput queen of Jhansi, known to have led the first struggle for Indian war for freedom was a symbol of resistance against the British rule in India and has been an inspiration to poets and bards alike by virtue of her unassailable courage and deeds. Born on 19th of November, 1835 in Kashi to a Maharashtrian Brahmin family, she was originally named Manukarnika and was fondly known as Chhabili by the Peshwa of Bithur for her ebullient ways.
Because of her father influence at the court Manukarnika enjoyed more freedom than was accorded to most women in those times. From childhood, the ways of warriors intrigued her and she soon started studying archery, horsemanship and other skills befitting a skilled warrior. She even formed her own army of her female friends. In year 1842, she got married to the Maharaja of Jhansi, Raja Gangadhar Rao Niwalkar and was rechristened Laksmi bai. In 1851 she gave birth to a son but he dies soon and later Gangadhar Rao grew ill and they decided to adopt a son in order to prevent annexation of Jhansi by the British. After the death of Gangadhar Rao in 1853, Lord Dalhousie who was the governor at that time declared the adoption to be illegal and decided to seize the state of Jhansi.
Rani Lakshmi Bai of Jhansi was cheated twice by the British. First on her husband’s death when they annexed Jhansi and secondly when they accused her of mutiny and massacre which occurred in Jhansi in 1857. As a result of grave injustice done to her, this housewife catapulted into what would be itched in the history and collective consciousness of Indians as one of the first national heroine of Indian struggle of independence. She almost became the fulcrum of the revolt of 1857, the first recognized Indian resistance against the rule of British Company and Empire.
In 1858, British attacked Jhansi but Rani Laksmi Bai had gathered volunteer forces and had strengthened the strength of the fort. The battle raged on for two weeks before Jhansi fell to British forces on account of their superior technology and numbers. Rani escaped Jhansi and took refuge in Kalpi where she was joined by another fierce warrior and leader Tatya Tope. From there they reached Gwalior where Rani Lakshmi Bai finally sacrificed her life fighting valiantly against the superior British forces. She was only 23 when she died on 18th June 1858.
Although she died in the battle of Gwalior, she became a martyr and beacon for those dreaming of freedom against the oppressive rule of the British. Her heroics have become the popular narratives of folklore and muse of poets and bards alike. Even today people of India remember her as a fiery princess of unassailable courage who never gave and fought till the last breath of her life for the freedom, right, honor and dignity of herself and her people.
Indian poetess Subhadra Kumari Chauhan (1904–1948) wrote a poem titled Jhansi Ki Rani in the Veer Ras style about her, which is still recited by children in schools of contemporary India. Original Hindi text:
सिंहासन हिल उठे राजवंशों ने भृकुटी तानी थी,
बूढ़े भारत में आई फिर से नयी जवानी थी,
गुमी हुई आज़ादी की कीमत सबने पहचानी थी,
दूर फिरंगी को करने की सबने मन में ठानी थी।
चमक उठी सन सत्तावन में, वह तलवार पुरानी थी,
बुंदेले हरबोलों के मुँह हमने सुनी कहानी थी,
खूब लड़ी मर्दानी वह तो झाँसी वाली रानी थी।।
English translation:
The thrones shook and royalties scowled
Old India was re-invigorated with new youth
People realised the value of lost freedom
Everybody was determined to throw the foreigners out
The old sword glistened again in 1857
This story we heard from the mouths of Bundel bards
Like a man she fought, she was the Queen of Jhansi
