Rani Lakshmi Bai was the queen of the Maratha-ruled state of Jhansi in North India. She is remembered as a symbol of resistance for her role in leading the Indian Rebellion of 1857 against the British Empire.
Rani Lakshmi Bai was born in 1828 in Varanasi, India. She was named Manikarnika and was the daughter of a Maharashtrian nobleman. At the age of 14, she was married to the Maharaja of Jhansi, Raja Gangadhar Rao. After her husband's death in 1853, she became the queen of Jhansi and ruled the state with the help of a council of advisors.
In 1857, the Indian Rebellion against British rule, also known as the Sepoy Mutiny, broke out. Rani Lakshmi Bai was drawn into the conflict when the British attempted to annex the state of Jhansi, citing the Doctrine of Lapse, which stated that if a ruler died without a natural heir, their territory would become part of the British Empire. The Rani, however, claimed that her adopted son was the rightful heir to the throne and refused to cede control of Jhansi to the British.
The Rani became a leader of the rebellion, organizing and arming the people of Jhansi to fight against the British. She is remembered for her bravery and determination, and is often depicted as riding into battle on horseback, sword in hand. Despite being outnumbered and outgunned, the Rani and her forces fought bravely and managed to hold off the British for several months.
Eventually, however, the British were able to defeat the rebels and annex the state of Jhansi. Rani Lakshmi Bai was killed in battle in 1858, at the age of 29. She has since become a symbol of resistance and a hero to many Indians.
Today, Rani Lakshmi Bai is remembered as one of the most important figures in India's struggle for independence. Her bravery and determination in the face of overwhelming odds inspire many people to this day.
