Early Life of Rani Laxmibai
Marriage of Rani Laxmibai
In 1842, Rani Lakshmi Bai was married to Raja Gangadhar Rao, the Maharaja of Jhansi. After her marriage, she came to be known as Lakshmibai. In the year 1851, Rani Lakshmibai gave birth to a son, but unfortunately, he died at the age of four months. After this tragic incident, the Maharaja of Jhansi adopted Damodar Rao as his son. Maharaja Gangadhar Rao died on 21 November 1853 due to the distraught and ill health of his son. When Maharaja Gangadhar Rao died, at that time Rani Lakshmi Bai was only eighteen years old, but Rani Lakshmi Bai did not lose her courage and performed her responsibilities well.
State usurpation policy of Lord Dalhousie and the merger of Jhansi
The Governor-General of India at that time, Lord Dalhousie, was a very smart man and tried to take advantage of the unfortunate times of Jhansi to expand the British Empire. The British rulers did not accept the younger Damodar Rao as the legal heir to the late Maharaja Gangadhar Rao and Rani Lakshmibai. The policy of annexation of the state of Jhansi was behind this plan of the British rulers because according to them there was no legal heir of Rani Lakshmibai. In March 1854, Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi was given an annual pension of 60,000 and ordered to leave the fort of Jhansi. Rani Laxmibai had also determined not to give up the suzerainty of the British Empire in Jhansi.
Revolt of 1857 and leadership of Jhansi
To defend Jhansi, Rani Lakshmibai gathered an army of rebels, including women. In this great work Ghulam Ghaus Khan, Dost Khan, Khuda Baksh, Sundar-Munder, Kashi Bai, Lalbhau Bakshi, Moti Bai, Dewan Raghunath Brave warriors like Singh and Dewan Jawahar Singh supported Rani Laxmibai. Rani Lakshmibai gathered 14,000 soldiers and organized an army to defend Jhansi.
When the British attacked Jhansi in March 1858, Rani Lakshmibai’s army also decided to go to war and the battle lasted for almost two weeks. Even though the army of Jhansi was defeated by the British army, the army of Jhansi fought the war very bravely. After this fierce battle, when the British army entered the fort of Jhansi, Rani Lakshmibai fought the battle very bravely with her son Damodar Rao tied on her back with a sword in both hands. Rani Lakshmibai along with several other rebels took advantage of the darkness and fled to the fort of Kalpi. When Rani Lakshmibai went to Gwalior, after that a fierce battle took place between the British and the army of Rani Lakshmibai. On the fateful day of 17th June 1858, this great heroine laid down her life for the freedom of India.
Facts & Information about Rani Laxmi Bai
Born Manikarnika Tambe, 19 November 1828
Place of Birth Varanasi, India
Nationality Indian
Father Moropant Tambe
Mother Bhagirathi
Died 18 June 1858 (29 years old), at the Sarai of Kota
- She gave birth to a boy, who died at the age of four months, then adopted Damodar Rao in 1851.
- Education She received her education at home and was more independent than others of her age; His studies included shooting, horse riding, and fencing.
- Known as Contribution Laxmibai
- Awards and Honors Honoring the Hindu Goddess Lakshmi