Born: November 19, 1828 (Benares, India)
Died: 1858
Biography:
Rani Lakshmibai, also known as the Rani of Jhansi, was a prominent figure during the Indian Rebellion of 1857. She was born on November 19, 1828, in Benares, into a Marathi Karhade Brahmin family. Her birth name was Manikarnika Tambe, but she was often called Manu. Rani Lakshmibai’s father, Moropant Tambe, served as a Commander during the war of Kalyanpranth and worked for Peshwa Baji Rao II of Bithoor district.
Although she faced the early loss of her mother at the age of four, Rani Lakshmibai received a unique upbringing among Indian women of her time. She was educated at home and taught to read, write, and various other skills, such as shooting, horsemanship, fencing, and mallakhamba. Rani Lakshmibai’s childhood friends included Nana Sahib and Tantia Tope, with whom she engaged in these activities. She defied many patriarchal cultural expectations for women in Indian society and was known for her independent and courageous spirit.
Marriage played a significant role in Rani Lakshmibai’s life. In 1842, she married Maharaja Gangadhar Rao Newalkar, becoming the Maharani consort of the princely state of Jhansi in the Maratha Empire. Their marriage lasted until 1853 when Maharaja Gangadhar Rao passed away. However, their marriage was not without challenges. Following the Maharaja’s death, the British East India Company, under Governor-General Lord Dalhousie, refused to acknowledge the claim of their adopted heir and seized control of Jhansi using the Doctrine of Lapse.
Unwilling to surrender control of her kingdom, Rani Lakshmibai took an active role in the rebellion against British rule in 1857. She led the successful defense of Jhansi against Company allies but, in early 1858, British forces commanded by Hugh Rose captured the city. Undeterred, Rani Lakshmibai managed to escape on horseback and joined the rebels in capturing Gwalior. There, they declared Nana Saheb as the Peshwa of the revived Maratha Empire.
Tragically, Rani Lakshmibai was fatally wounded during the British counterattack at Gwalior and succumbed to her injuries in June 1858. Her bravery and determination made her a national hero and symbol of resistance against British rule for Indian nationalists. Rani Lakshmibai’s unwavering spirit and refusal to bow down to injustice left a lasting impact on the struggle for independence.