Here I’m sharing with you guys the Biography of Rani Lakshmi Bai, the great queen of Jhansi who fought for the freedom of her empire and sacrificed herself for the love of her land. Biography of Rani Lakshmi Bai Her stories of courage, patriotism and bravery continue to inspire millions. If you like the information Biography of Rani Lakshmi Bai provided here then please share this post with your friends and families.
| Date of Birth | November 19, 1828 |
| Place of Birth | Varanasi |
| Father’s Name | Moropant Tambe |
| Mother’s Name | Bhagirathi Sapre |
| Death | June 18, 1859 |
| Place of Death | Gwalior |
Introduction:
Rani Lakshmi Bai, also known as Jhansi Ki Rani, was the queen of the princely state of Jhansi. She is remembered for her immense courage, bravery and her undying love for freedom of her kingdom, in the battle against British rule. In a time, when women were considered to be best suited in the household works only, Rani Lakshmi bai set an example by fighting with immense bravery in the battlefield against the oppressors. She set a great example for women’s bravery and inspired many women for the rebellion against the oppressive British Raj.
Let’s unfold the story of the great queen Rani Lakshmi Bai, which is written in the golden words in the pages of history, about her commitment, bravery and her love for motherland.
Early Life:
She was born in 1828 on November 19, in Bhadaini, Varanasi in a Maharashtrian Brahmin family. Her father was Moropant Tambe and mother Bhagirathi Sapre. She was named Manikarnika. Affectionately, people called her Manu. Unfortunately, her mother died when she was only 4 years of age. She grew up under her Father’s affection and companion.
Manu learnt to read and write at home because at that time, womens were not allowed in schools and institutions were only for boys. Along with her studies, she also learnt horsemanship, fencing, shooting, sword fighting, mallakhamb etc. Her childhood companions were Nana Sahib and Tantya Tope, with whom she learnt all the skills. She excelled in military skills and had a strong warrior spirit since childhood. Her father gave her all the freedom and raised her as a warrior no less than any man.
Personal Life and Marriage:
Manikarnika got married to the king of Jhansi, Gangadhar Rao Newalkar in 1842. There she got the name, Lakshmi Bai, as per tradition and in honour of goddesses Lakshmi. She gave birth to a son named Damodar Rao in 1851. But fate took another turn and unfortunately, her son died only 4 months after his birth leaving the king and queen heartbroken as there was no heir left for the kingdom. The king of Jhansi adopted his cousin’s son as he had no heir. The kid was named Damodar Rao. Soon after the adoption, the king passed away.
Although the king did the adaptation procedure in the presence of the British Office and wrote a letter to the officer regarding the fair treatment with his son afterwards, Jhansi should be ruled by queen Lakshmi Bai and his adopted son should be accepted as the heir of the kingdom. However, after the death of the king, the British East India Company rejected the claim of Rani Lakshmi Bai and her son over the throne of Jhansi. Rani Lakshmi Bai appealed against this. Her appeal went to the Court of London but it was rejected there saying the adopted child cannot be considered as heir of the kingdom, hence the state of Jhansi shall be occupied by the British Raj.
At that time, the British governor-in-general of India, lord Dalhousie offered the pension of 60000 rupees annually and asked Lakshmi Bai to leave the palace. This injustice was unacceptable to her.
Struggle for independence:
After the death of the king, not just the British Officers but neighbouring states were also looking for the chance to acquire the throne of Jhansi. Rani defended Jhansi from two neighbouring states of Orchha and Datia in 1857. In January 1858, Commander of the British force, Sir Hugh Rose, demanded the surrender of Jhansi. Rani Lakshmi Bai was determined to defend Jhansi at all costs. She was supported by Tantya Tope and Nana Sahib.
Battle against the British Raj:
In March 1858, the commander of the British army, Hugh Rose demanded the surrender of Jhansi and warned Lakshmi Bai that if she did not surrender, Jhansi would be destroyed. Lakshmi bai refused and was ready to defend her kingdom at all costs. In March 1858, the British army bombarded the Jhansi. Lakshmi bai gave a tough fight to the British in the war which lasted for 2 weeks. She tied her son on the back and fought with a spear in both of her hands. Ultimately, Jhansi was overpowered by the British army.
When the British army entered Jhansi, Rani Lakshmi bai, with her son on the back, escaped from there on her horse Badal. The horse died but the queen and her son managed to escape. She escaped to Kalpi, where she met many other rebellions along with Tantya Tope and Nana Sahib. In May 1858, British forces attacked Kalpi and Rani Lakshmi Bai was defeated. They then departed for Gwalior and acquired the city without much struggle and proclaimed Nana Sahib as Peshwa.
In June 1858, British forces invaded Gwalior. In kotah-ki-serai, British force charged the indian forces lead by Rani Lakshmi Bai, where a fierce battle was fought between the British army and Rani Lakshmi Bai.
But the British army managed to defeat Rani lakshmi bai. She was wounded in the battle.
Death:
She died on 18th June, 1859 from a bullet wound. She martyred her life for the freedom of Jhansi. Her sacrifice fueled the Indian nationalist movement. Because of her bravery, courage, determination and love for her motherland and her progressive views on women empowerment, she became one of the most crucial leaders of the Indian Independence Movement at that time. Her sacrifice made her the icon of the Indian freedom struggle in the 19th century. She became the national heroine and an example of women’s bravery.
Conclusion:
Rani Lakshmi Bai is considered an early freedom fighter who contributed and inspired many rebellious fighters to fight against the oppressive British Raj In India’s first nationalist movement in 1857. At a time when women’s contribution was negligible outside the household, she set a great example for the upliftment of women in the society as well as the partition of women in the struggle of freedom. She is remembered as a great heroine of our early freedom struggle and an example of women’s bravery, commitment and the love for motherland.
Numerous books, poems, stories etc. are written in her honour which continues to inspire millions even today.
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FAQ’s
Q.1. Who was Rani Lakshmi bai?
Ans. Rani Lakshmi Bai was the queen of the princely state of Jhansi and an early freedom fighter.
Q.2. What was Lakshmi Bai’s childhood name?
Ans. Her childhood name was Manikarnika. Affectionately, people called her Manu.
Q.3. How old was she when her mother died?
Ans. She was 4 years old when her mother died.
Q.4. Where did Rani Lakshmi got her early education?
Ans. She got her early education at home because at that time women were not allowed in the schools.
Q.5. What was Rani Lakshmi Bai’s Father’s Name?
Ans. Her Father’s Name was Moropant Tambe.
Q.5. What was Rani Lakshmi Bai’s mother’s name?
Ans. Her mother’s name was Bhagirathi Sapre.
Q.6. Who were Manu’s childhood companions?
Ans. Her childhood companions were Tantya Tope and Nana Sahib.
Q.7. Where did Rani Lakshmi Bai fight her first battle against the British?
Ans. Rani Lakshmi Bai fought her first battle against the British in Jhansi.
Q.8. Where did Rani Lakshmi Bai fight her last battle against the British?
Ans. Rani Lakshmi Bai fought her last battle against the British in Gwalior.
Q.9. What was the name of Rani Lakshmi Bai’s adopted son?
Ans. Rani Lakshmi Bai’s adopted son was named Damodar Rao.
Q.10. When did Rani Lakshmi die?
Ans. Rani Lakshmi Bai died on June 18th, 1859.
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