Jhansi
Rani Lakshmi Bai
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.
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.
Rani Lakshmi Bai strengthened the defense of Jhansi and she assembled a volunteer
army of rebellions. Women were also given Military training. Rani was accompanied
by her brave warriors, some of them were Gulam Gaus Khan, Dost Khan, Khuda Baksh,
Lala Bhau Bakshi, Moti Bai, Sunder-Mundar, Kashi Bai, Deewan Raghunath singh
and Deewan Jawahar Singh. Along with all these warriors the local population
of Jhansi irrespective of their religion or caste were always determined to
fight and give their lives with pleasure for the cause of Independent and their
beloved Rani.
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.
Rani Lakshmi Bai reched Kalpi. Many other rebellions force joined her. Tatia
Tope from Kalpi was also one of them, from Kalpi Rani departed to the Gwalior.
Again a fierce battle took place. Rani Jhansi fought with deathless patriotism
and martyrdom. However on the second day of fighting, the great heroine of the
first struggle for India freedom, at the age of 22 years, lost her life. That
unfortunate day was 18th June of 1858.
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