The Untold Story of Rani Lakshmi Bai

In India’s first war of Independence, the British Imperialist killed The Rani (ruler) of Jhansi – in a fight of 1858. She was 22 years of age at that time. She was a strong woman who drove her armed forces against the British. Her real name was “Manikarnika”. In May 1842 she got married to the Maharaja of Jhansi, Raja Gangadhar Rao Newalkar. Afterwards she was called “Lakshmibai” in honour of the Hindu goddess Lakshmi. However it is still a mystery as to how she passed away. Whatsoever the reality may be, the portrayal of a female colonial fighting for her kingdom against the power of the British gives the country a patriotic creative ability. Like how she paved her way and made a strategy to lead her armed forces into a battle of a lifetime.

In the year 1848, the British East India Company introduced the “Doctrine of Lapse” which stated that if any ruler of Indian states were to die before leaving a male heir to his throne, the state would go to the British. After that, the Rani of Jhansi- the lively widow of the last Maharaja of Jhansi came into the political forefront to provide protection from the Doctrine and the resulting Great Rebellion of 1857. Afterwards Jhansi “slipped” into the British’s control in 1854, Laxmibai pleaded to the British over and over for her adoptive son’s legitimacy of the claim to the throne of Jhansi.

The Rani escaped and was tailed till Banda, where Rose’s men reported that “Although the soldiers tried their best, Laxmibai got away.” She was a powerful woman, extremely brilliant and determined.

Additionally, she has empowered all the women and in 1942, an all-women regiment of the Indian National Army was formed to fight against the British colonizers and was named after the Rani of Jhansi out of appreciation for her bravery. She is a shining and most prominent example of women’s strength, courage, persistence and control for India.

By: Lubhawani Sharma

Content: https://www.speakingtree.in/allslides/unknown-facts-about-rani-lakshmi-bai