The name of Rani Laxmibai, the Queen of Jhansi, remains etched into the foundation of India's struggle for independence. Born on November 19, 1828, in Varanasi, she was originally named Manikarnika Tambe, or 'Manu' for short. Her birth anniversary, marked annually on November 19th, is a day of national pride and remembrance, particularly significant as the nation marked her 197th birth anniversary in 2025.
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| Rani Laxmibai, pratahkal.com |
Laxmibai’s upbringing was unconventional for a girl of her era. Having lost her mother at the age of four, she was raised by her father, Moropant Tambe, in the court of Peshwa Baji Rao II in Bithoor. She received training in horsemanship, swordsmanship, and military strategy alongside companions who would also become figures in the 1857 Revolt, such as Nana Sahib and Tatya Tope. This early exposure to martial arts shaped her into the formidable warrior she would become.
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| Rani Lakshmibai.facebook.com |
At the age of 14, Manikarnika was married to Maharaja Gangadhar Rao Newalkar of Jhansi, adopting the name Laxmibai. After the death of her husband in 1853, and the prior death of their biological son, the British East India Company refused to recognize her adopted son, Damodar Rao, as the legal heir. Under the infamous ‘Doctrine of Lapse’ policy introduced by Lord Dalhousie, the British attempted to annex the kingdom of Jhansi.
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| Jhansi Rani of Gwalior learnbseb.in |
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| Jhansi_Fort MP en.wikipedia.org |
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| Jhansi Fort, Hallway, Gwalior, MP |
When the Sepoy Mutiny erupted in 1857, Rani Laxmibai quickly assumed command of the forces in the Bundelkhand region. The British forces, led by General Sir Hugh Rose, besieged the fort of Jhansi in March 1858. Despite being outnumbered, the Queen defended her fort with exceptional valor, personally leading her army in fierce combat.
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| Sir Hugh Rose,shutterstock.com |
Above image: General Huge Rose's relentless march to clear the rebels from the region saw him arrive at Jhansi on March 21, 1858. The city, which the Rani had taken control of after the initial uprising, was considered a crucial rebel stronghold. Rose demanded its surrender, but the Rani, determined to fight for her independence, famously proclaimed her refusal, ready to face the British forces.........
When defeat became inevitable, she executed a daring escape, tying her adopted son to her back and leaping from the fort on horseback, a feat of courage immortalized in folklore. She continued her campaign alongside Tatya Tope, fighting in Kalpi and ultimately taking control of the fort of Gwalior. She met her end in combat near Gwalior on June 18, 1858, martyring herself while valiantly defending her motherland.
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| British annexing Jhansi, central India .slideshare.net |
In 2025, her 197th Jayanti saw tributes pour in from political leaders, cultural organizations, and citizens across the country. Cities like Jhansi and Gwalior were the epicenter of celebrations, marked by cultural programs, processions, and wreath-laying ceremonies at her statues, reinforcing her legacy as the ultimate symbol of women's strength and national courage. Her story continues to inspire generations, proving that her spirit remains invincible and her sacrifice, unforgettable. Even today, Jhansi Fort stands as a silent testament to the indomitable spirit of the warrior queen who preferred death to surrender.
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Lakshmi-Bai
https://www.sentinelassam.com/topheadlines/assam-bjp-president-pays-tribute-to-rani-lakshmibai-and-wishes-renowned-artist-dipen-barua-on-their-birth-anniversaries
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jhansi_Fort
