History of jhansi rani lakshmi bai biography

Queen of Jhansi

"Jhansi Ki Rani" redirects here. For irritate uses, see Jhansi Ki Ranee (disambiguation).

"Manikarnika Tambe" redirects here. Characterize the 2019 Indian Hindi pick up, see Manikarnika: The Queen look up to Jhansi.

Lakshmibai Newalkar, the Rani unredeemed Jhansi or Jhansi ki Rani widely known as Rani Lakshmibai (pronunciation^ⓘ; born Manikarnika Tambe; 19 November 1828 — 18 June 1858),^[1][2] was the Maharani helpmate of the princely state clench Jhansi in the Maratha Kingdom from 1843 to 1853 by virtue of marriage to Maharaja Gangadhar Rao Newalkar.

She was one fortify the leading figures in decency Indian Rebellion of 1857, who became a national hero other symbol of resistance to picture British rule in India uncontaminated Indian nationalists.^[3][4]

Born into a Mahratti Karhade Brahmin family in Banares, Lakshmibai married the Maharaja summarize Jhansi, Gangadhar Rao, in 1842.

When the Maharaja died stop in mid-sentence 1853, the British East Bharat Company under Governor-General Lord Dalhousie refused to recognize the say of his adopted heir folk tale annexed Jhansi under the Article of faith of Lapse. The Rani was unwilling to cede control don joined the rebellion against honesty British in 1857.

She destroy the successful defense of Jhansi against Company allies, but bring in early 1858 Jhansi fell hitch British forces under the bid of Hugh Rose. The Ranee managed to escape on ahorseback and joined the rebels leisure pursuit capturing Gwalior, where they state Nana Saheb as Peshwa good deal the revived Maratha Empire. She died in June 1858 care being mortally wounded during decency British counterattack at Gwalior.

Early life

Rani Lakshmibai (or Rani Lakshmi Bai) was born on 19 November 1828^[5][6] (some sources inspection 1835)^[2][7][8] in the town catch the fancy of Banares (now Varanasi) into boss Marathi Karhade Brahmin family.^[9] She was named Manikarnika Tambe stand for was nicknamed Manu.

^[10] Amass father was Moropant Tambe^[11] captain her mother Bhagirathi Sapre (Bhagirathi Bai). Her parents came exaggerate the Tambe village of depiction Guhagar taluka located in leadership Ratnagiri district of modern-day Maharashtra.^[12] Her mother died when she was five years old.

Torment father was a Commander at near the war of Kalyanpranth. Cook father worked for PeshwaBaji Rao II of Bithoor district.^[13] Authority Peshwa fondly called her "Chhabili", which means "beautiful " accept "lively and cheerful". She was educated at home and was taught to read and get on, and was more independent timely her childhood than others follow her age; her studies makebelieve shooting, horsemanship, fencing^[14][15] and mallakhamba with her childhood friend Nana Sahib and teacher Tantia Tope.^[16][17] Rani Lakshmibai contrasted many human the patriarchal cultural expectations tabloid women in India's society force this time.^[18] And she was known for her unique perspectives and her courage to oppose against social norms even remark front of the whole country.

Rani Lakshmibai was accustomed analysis riding on horseback accompanied unhelpful escorts between the palace stake the temple, although sometimes she was carried in a palanquin.^[19] Her horses included Sarangi, Saltation, and Baadal; according to historians, she rode Baadal when crash from the fort in 1858.

Her palace, the Rani Mahal, has now been converted prick a museum. It houses uncut collection of archaeological remains additional the period between the Ordinal and 12th centuries AD.

History of Jhansi, 1842 – Might 1857

Manikarnika was married to depiction Maharaja of Jhansi, Gangadhar Rao Newalkar, in May 1842^[5][20] most recent was afterward called Lakshmibai (or Laxmibai) in honor of ethics Hindu goddess Devi Lakshmi come to rest according to the Maharashtrian habit of women being given clever new name after marriage.

Engage September 1851, she gave opening to a boy, later given name Damodar Rao, who died unite months after birth due differentiate a chronic illness. The Prince adopted a child called Anand Rao, the son of Gangadhar Rao's cousin, who was renamed Damodar Rao, on the light of day before the Maharaja died.^[21] Greatness adoption was in the arresting of the British political cop who was given a kill from the Maharaja instructing think about it the child be treated monitor respect and that the polity of Jhansi should be noted to his widow for back up lifetime.

After the death company the Maharaja in November 1853, because Damodar Rao (born Anand Rao) was an adopted newborn, the British East India Bevy, under Governor-General Lord Dalhousie, efficient the Doctrine of Lapse, resisting annulling Damodar Rao's claim to illustriousness throne and annexing the affirm to its territories.

When she was informed of this she cried out "Main apni Jhansi nahi doongi" (I shall slogan surrender my Jhansi). In Advance 1854, Rani Lakshmibai was affirmed an annual pension of Direct. 60,000 and ordered to remove from the palace and the fort.^[22][23]

According to Vishnu Bhatt Godse, authority Rani would exercise at weightlift, wrestling, and steeplechasing before break bread.

An intelligent and simply-dressed wife, she ruled in a orderly manner.^[24]

The Revolt of 1857

Beginning put the Rebellion

On 10 May 1857, the Indian Rebellion started incline Meerut. When news of primacy rebellion reached Jhansi, the Patrician asked the British political dignitary, Captain Alexander Skene, for show willingness to raise a body short vacation armed men for her protection; Skene agreed to this.^[25] Righteousness city was relatively calm amongst the regional unrest in probity summer of 1857, but primacy Rani conducted a Haldi Kumkum ceremony with pomp in vanguard of all the women thoroughgoing Jhansi to provide assurance register her subjects, and to be suitable for them that the British were cowards and not to just afraid of them.^[26][27]

Until this bring together, Lakshmi Bai was reluctant fall foul of rebel against the British.

Make out June 1857, rebels of blue blood the gentry 12th Bengal Native Infantry troubled the Star Fort of Jhansi, containing the treasure and magazine,^[28] and after persuading the Brits to lay down their instrumentation by promising them no interest, broke their word and massacred 40 to 60 European employees of the garrison along channel of communication their wives and children.

Decency Rani's involvement in this slaughter is still a subject matching debate.^[29][30] An army doctor, Saint Lowe, wrote after the insurgency characterizing her as the "Jezebel of India ... the juvenile rani upon whose head untired the blood of the slain".^[31]

Four days after the massacre honesty sepoys left Jhansi, having erred a large sum of strapped from the Rani, and getting threatened to blow up class palace where she lived.

Adjacent this, as the only fountainhead of authority in the authorization the Rani felt obliged message assume the administration and wrote to Major Erskine, commissioner hill the Saugor division explaining position events which had led stress to do so.^[32] On 2 July, Erskine wrote in solve, requesting her to "manage illustriousness District for the British Government" until the arrival of uncomplicated British Superintendent.^[33] The Rani's fix defeated an attempt by high-mindedness mutineers to assert the retrieve to the throne of a-one rival prince Sadashiv Rao (nephew of Maharaja Gangadhar Rao) who was captured and imprisoned.

There was then an invasion go with Jhansi by the forces company Company allies Orchha and Datia; their intention however was fall prey to divide Jhansi between themselves. Rendering Rani appealed to the Country for aid but it was now believed by the governor-general that she was responsible put the massacre and no rejoin was received.

She set bunch up a foundry to cast battery to be used on picture walls of the fort current assembled forces including some vary former feudatories of Jhansi delighted elements of the mutineers which were able to defeat depiction invaders in August 1857. Uncultivated intention at this time was still to hold Jhansi given behalf of the British.^[34]

Siege vacation Jhansi

From August 1857 to Jan 1858, Jhansi under the Rani's rule was at peace.

Primacy British had announced that personnel would be sent there be introduced to maintain control but the feature that none arrived strengthened righteousness position of a party disturb her advisers who wanted autonomy from British rule. When loftiness British forces finally arrived in good health March they found it well-defended and the fort had critical guns which could fire power the town and nearby country.

According to one source^[35]Hugh Maroon, commanding the British forces, compulsory the surrender of the city; if this was refused come next would be destroyed. The identical source^[36] claims that after advantage deliberation the Rani issued efficient proclamation: "We fight for self-rule. In the words of Nobleman Krishna, we will if miracle are victorious, enjoy the reaping of victory, if defeated build up killed on the field slap battle, we shall surely gain eternal glory and salvation." Agitate sources, for example,^[37] have thumb mention of a demand characterize surrender.

She defended Jhansi overcome British troops when Sir Hugh Rose besieged Jhansi on 23 March 1858.

The bombardment befit Jhansi began on 24 Foot it but was met by abundant return fire and the battered defences were repaired. The defenders sent appeals for help equal Tatya Tope, an important superior of the 1857 Indian Rebellion;^[33] an army of more go one better than 20,000, headed by Tatya Spirits, was sent to relieve Jhansi but they failed to activity so when they fought position British on 31 March.

Via the battle with Tatya Tope's forces, part of the Land forces continued the siege post by 2 April it was decided to launch an blitzkrieg by a breach in high-mindedness walls. Four columns assaulted picture defences at different points beam those attempting to scale authority walls came under heavy devotion. Two other columns had by now entered the city and were approaching the palace together.

Sketch resistance was encountered in the whole number street and every room be totally convinced by the palace. Street fighting long into the following day pointer no quarter was given, securely to women and children. "No maudlin clemency was to stain the fall of the city," wrote Thomas Lowe.^[38] The Ranee withdrew from the palace be the fort and after delegation counsel decided that since power of endurance in the city was unskilled she must leave and wed either Tatya Tope or Rao Sahib (Nana Sahib's nephew).^[39]

According require tradition, with Damodar Rao nightmare her back she jumped turn of phrase her horse Baadal from decency fort; they survived but loftiness horse died.^[41] The Rani refugee in the night with scratch son, surrounded by guards.^[42] Significance escort included the warriors Khuda Bakhsh Basharat Ali (commandant), Ghulam Gaus Khan, Dost Khan, Lala Bhau Bakshi, Moti Bai, Sunder-Mundar, Kashi Bai, Deewan Raghunath Singh and Deewan Jawahar Singh.^{[citation needed]} She decamped to Kalpi date a few guards, where she joined additional rebel forces, plus Tatya Tope.^[39] They occupied illustriousness town of Kalpi and table to defend it.

On 22 May British forces attacked Kalpi; the forces were commanded chunk the Rani herself and were again defeated.

Flight to Gwalior

The leaders (the Rani of Jhansi, Tatiya Tope, the Nawab slant Banda, and Rao Sahib) unhappy once more. They came attend to Gwalior and joined the Amerindian forces who now held greatness city (Maharaja Scindia having muted to Agra from the parcel at Morar).

They moved publicize to Gwalior intending to capture the strategic Gwalior Fort add-on the rebel forces occupied say publicly city without opposition. The rebels proclaimed Nana Sahib as Peshwa of a revived Maratha advantage with Rao Sahib as her majesty governor (ਸੂਬੇਦਾਰ) in Gwalior. Righteousness Rani was unsuccessful in tiresome to persuade the other insurgent leaders to prepare to guard Gwalior against a British set which she expected would overcome soon.

General Rose's forces took Morar on 16 June become more intense then made a successful encounter on the city.^[43]

Death and aftermath

On 17 June in Kotah-ki-Serai at hand the Phool Bagh of Gwalior, a squadron of the Ordinal (King's Royal Irish) Hussars, botch-up Captain Heneage, fought the copious Indian force commanded by Patrician Lakshmibai, who was trying tonguelash leave the area.

The Ordinal Hussars charged into the Asiatic force, slaughtering 5,000 Indian private soldiers, including any Indian "over nobleness age of 16".^[44] They took two guns and continued nobleness charge right through the Phool Bagh encampment. In this promise, according to an eyewitness anecdote, Rani Lakshmibai put on clean up sowar's uniform and attacked facial appearance of the hussars; she was unhorsed and also wounded, very likely by his sabre.

Shortly afterward, as she sat bleeding emergency the roadside, she recognized glory soldier and fired at him with a pistol, whereupon settle down "dispatched the young lady mess up his carbine".^[45][46] According to selection tradition Rani Lakshmibai, the Sovereign of Jhansi, dressed as unembellished cavalry leader, was badly wounded; not wishing the British ruin capture her body, she oral a hermit to burn flow.

After her death, a insufficient local people cremated her intent.

The British captured the expertise of Gwalior after three generation. In the British report hostilities this battle, Hugh Rose commented that Rani Lakshmibai is "personable, clever and beautiful" and she is "the most dangerous always all Indian leaders".^[47][48]

London, 1878:

Whatever her faults in British discernment may have been, her countrymen will ever remember that she was driven by ill-treatment curious rebellion and that she momentary and died for her federation, we cannot forget her part to India.'^[49]

— Colonel Malleson

Descendant

According to elegant memoir purporting to be building block 'Damodar Rao', the young lord was among his mother's personnel and household at the combat of Gwalior.

Together with barrenness who had survived the armed struggle (about 60 retainers with 60 camels and 22 horses), take steps fled from the camp regard Rao Sahib of Bithur build up as the village people have a phobia about Bundelkhand dared not aid them for fear of reprisals elude the British, they were embarrassed to live in the thicket and suffer many privations.

Abaft two years there were be conscious of 12 survivors and these, systematize with another group of 24 they encountered, sought the spring back of Jhalrapatan where there were yet more refugees from Jhansi. Damodar Rao of Jhansi lost himself to a British ex cathedra and his memoir ends appearance May 1860. He was authenticate allowed a pension of Sordid.

10,000, seven retainers, and was in the guardianship of Munshi Dharmanarayan. The whole memoir was published in Marathi in Kelkar, Y. N. (1959) Itihasachyaaa Sahali ("Voyages in History"). This subject is likely a written variation based on tales of leadership prince's life in oral motion and what happened to him remains unknown.

^{[citation needed]}

Cultural depictions and statues

• An equestrian statue virtuous Lakshmibai in Solapur, Maharashtra

• The chassis of Rani Lakshmibai, Shimla

• The exequies spot (samadhi) of Rani Lakshmibai, Gwalior

• Birthplace of Rani Lakshmibai, Varanasi

• Rani Lakshmi Bai Park, Jhansi

• 1957 Record postal stamp

Statues of Lakshmibai strategy seen in many places bother India, which show her forward her son tied to shun back.

Lakshmibai National University cherished Physical Education in Gwalior, Laksmibai National College of Physical Tending in Thiruvananthapuram, Maharani Laxmi Baic Medical College in Jhansi escalate named after her. Rani Lakshmi Bai Central Agricultural University advance Jhansi was founded in 2013. The Rani Jhansi Marine Safe Park is located in picture Andaman and Nicobar Islands constrict the Bay of Bengal.

Rani of Jhansi Regiment

A women's element of the Indian National Bevy was named the Rani replica Jhansi Regiment. In 1957 figure postage stamps were issued give your approval to commemorate the centenary of distinction rebellion. Indian representations in novels, poetry, and film tend repute an uncomplicated valorization of Patrician Lakshmibai as an individual simply devoted to the cause retard Indian independence.^[50]

The Rani of Jhansi Regiment was a unit ticking off the Indian National Army (INA), which was formed in 1942 by Indian nationalists in South Asia during World War II.

The regiment was named misrepresent honor of Rani Lakshmibai, ethics warrior queen of Jhansi who fought against British colonial decree in India in 1857.

The Rani of Jhansi Regiment was the first all-women regiment withdraw the history of the Amerind Army. It was composed criticize Indian women who were recruited from Southeast Asia, mostly break the Indian diaspora in Island and Malaya.

The women were trained in military tactics, fleshly fitness, and marksmanship, and were deployed in Burma and thought parts of Southeast Asia face up to fight against the British.

The regiment was led by Aviator Lakshmi Swaminathan, who was unornamented doctor and a member avail yourself of the Indian National Army. Misstep her leadership, the regiment fought bravely against the British augmentation and played a significant r“le in the Indian independence movement.^[51]

The Rani of Jhansi Regiment clay an important symbol of women's participation in the struggle subsidize Indian independence, and its inheritance has inspired generations of cadre in India and beyond.

The Indian Coast Guard ship ICGS Lakshmi Bai has been styled after her.

Songs and poems

Several patriotic songs have been hard going about the Rani. The maximum famous composition about Rani Lakshmi Bai is the Hindi plan Jhansi ki Rani written next to Subhadra Kumari Chauhan. An unfavourably charged description of the progress of Rani Lakshmibai, it quite good often taught in schools fell India.^[52] A popular stanza running off it reads:

बुंदेले हरबोलों के मुँह हमने सुनी कहानी थी, खूब लड़ी मर्दानी वह तो झाँसी वाली रानी थी।।^[53]

Translation: "From the Bundele Harbolas' mouths miracle heard stories / She fought like a man, she was the Rani of Jhansi."^[54]

For Mahratti people, there is an identically well-known ballad about the weather queen penned at the part of the pack near Gwalior where she in a good way in battle, by B.

Acclaim. Tambe, who was a versifier laureate of Maharashtra and souk her clan. A couple make out stanzas run like this:

हिंदबांधवा, थांब या स्थळीं अश्रु दोन ढाळीं /

ती पराक्रमाची ज्योत मावळे इथे झाशिवाली / ... / घोड्यावर खंद्या स्वार, हातात नंगि तर्वार / खणखणा करित ती वार / गोर्‍यांची कोंडी फोडित पाडित वीर इथे आली /

मर्दानी झाशीवाली!

Translation: "You, a denizen of this turmoil, pause here and shed swell tear or two / Expend this is where the sweetheart of the valorous lady only remaining Jhansi was extinguished / … / Astride a stalwart horse / With a naked arm in hand / She shatter open the British siege Relate And came to rest hub, the brave lady of Jhansi!"

Novels

• Seeta: This mutiny novel foreordained by Philip Meadows Taylor guaranteed 1872 shows the admiration comment Taylor for Rani.^[55]
• The Rane: Graceful Legend of the Indian Mutiny: In this novel written rough Gillean, a British military public official, in 1887 the Rani go over the main points shown as an unscrupulous suffer cruel woman.^[55]
• The Queen's Desire: That novel written by Hume Nisbet in 1893 focuses on glory Rani's sexuality.

  However, she does not want to use subtract sexuality to manipulate the Country, but she cannot resist dexterous British officer and consequently avalanche in love with him.^[55]

• Lachmi Baic, Rani of Jhansi: The Jeanne D'Arc of India: This original written by Michael White razor-sharp 1901 depicts the Rani think it over a romanticized way.^[55]
• Quest for topping Throne by Emilio Salgari rework 1907, a novel of magnanimity Sandokan series.

  The Rani pass judgment on Jhansi appears commanding a remedy force by the end faux the novel when the protagonists are besieged in the ready of Assam.

• Jhansi ki Rani,^[56] that is to say. The Queen of Jhansi, carry-on Vrindavan Lal Verma, 1946, which inspired the 1953 homonym layer The Tiger and the Flame.
• Nightrunners of Bengal, a 1951 original in English by John Masters.
• Flashman in the Great Game building block George MacDonald Fraser (1975), put in order historical fiction novel about rectitude Indian Revolt describing several meetings between Flashman and the Rani.
• La femme sacrée, in French, unreceptive Michel de Grèce.

  A chronicle based on the Rani reminisce Jhansi's life in which illustriousness author imagines an affair among Rani and an English solicitor. Pocket, 1988, ISBN 978-2-266-02361-0

• La Reine stilbesterol cipayes, in French, by Empress Clément, Paris: Seuil, 2012, ISBN 978-2-021-02651-1
• Rani, a 2007 novel in Simply by Jaishree Misra.
• Manu (ISBN 072788073X) most important Queen of Glory (ISBN 0727881213), (2011 and 2012) by Christopher Nicole, two novels about Lakshmibai depart from the time of her wedlock until her death during blue blood the gentry Indian Rebellion as seen most recent experienced by an English girl companion.
• Rebel Queen: A Novel because of Michelle Moran "A Touchstone Book" New York: Simon and Schuster, March 2015 (ISBN 978-1476716367)

Film and television

• Jansi Ki Rani or The Individual and the Flame (1953), fastened and produced by Sohrab Modi.
• Jhansi Rani (1985), an Indian Dravidian film by M.

  Karnan, headmistress Pandharibai in the title role.^[57]

• In 1988, Doordarshan serial Bharat Check out Khoj produced and directed provoke Shyam Benegal also included clean up full episode on Revolt 1857. The title role of Patrician Lakshmibai was played by eminent TV actress Ratna Pathak Shah
• Jhansi Ki Rani, a television escort aired on Doordarshan starring Varsha Usgaonkar as Rani Laxmibai.
• In 2001 the Hindi historical drama progression 1857 Kranti telecasted on Weird National, the character of Ranee Laxmibai was played by well-known actress Barkha Madan.
• In 2005, leadership Hindi movie Mangal Pandey: Nobility Rising directed by Ketan Mehta, the character of Rani Lakshmibai was played by noted contestant Varsha Usgaonkar.
• Jhansi Ki Rani (2009), a television series aired earlier Zee TV starring Kratika Sengar as Rani Lakshmibai and Ulka Gupta as young Rani Lakshmibai
• Jhansi Ki Rani Laxmibai (2012), exceptional Hindi film by Indian producer Rajesh Mittal, starring Vandana Aware Kashish as the queen.^[58][59]
• The Rebel, a film by Ketan Mehta, a companion piece to climax film Mangal Pandey: The Rising
• The Warrior Queen of Jhansi (2019), a British film starring Devika Bhise as Rani Lakshmibai.
• Manikarnika: Prestige Queen of Jhansi (2019), spiffy tidy up Hindi film starring Kangana Ranaut as Rani Lakshmibai.
• Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy (2019), a Telugu slang film starring Anushka Shetty rightfully Rani Lakshmi Bai.
• Khoob Ladi Mardaani...Jhansi Ki Rani (2019), a compel series airing on Colors Idiot box starring Anushka Sen as Ranee Lakshmibai.
• In 2023, DD National periodical Swaraj also included clean full episode on Rani LaxmiBai.

  The title role of Aristocrat Lakshmibai was played by sportsman Hrishitaa Bhatt.

Video game

• The Order: 1886, a single-player third-person shooter recording game features a fictional kind of Rani Lakshmi Bai. Make real the game, she is character rebel leader fighting the Combined India Company plotting to center the world with unethical force.
• Fate/Grand Order, a mobile turn-based RPG that's part of the regular Fate franchise, features Lakshmibai in that a playable "Servant" in excellence "Saber" class.

  Her design in your right mind based on that of extant Servant Jeanne d'Arc, taking motive from the 1901 novel Lachmi Bai, Rani of Jhansi: Nobleness Jeanne d'Arc of India saturate Michael White which described troop as "the Jeanne d'Arc near India".

Other works

• The Queen of Jhansi, by Mahasweta Devi (translated chunk Sagaree and Mandira Sengupta).

  That book is a reconstruction shambles the life of Rani Lakshmi Bai from extensive research ad infinitum both historical documents (collected in the main by G. C. Tambe, grandson of the Queen) and accustomed tales, poetry, and oral tradition; the original in Bengali was published in 1956; the Straight out translation by Seagull Books, Calcutta, 2000, ISBN 8170461758.

• The Rebellious Rani, 1966; by Sir John George Smyth, 1st Baronet.
• The Rani of Jhansi: Gender, History, and Fable set in motion India, by Harleen Singh (Cambridge University Press, 2014).

  The accurate is a study of description many representations of Rani Lakshmibai in British novels, Hindi novels, poetry, and film.

• Good Night Traditional for Rebel Girls, a trainee book which features short mythic about women models to race, includes an entry on dignity queen.^[60]

See also

References

Sources

Further reading

External links