**Rani Lakshmibai (1828–1858)**, also known as the **Rani of Jhansi**, was one of the most prominent leaders in the Indian Rebellion of 1857 and a symbol of resistance to British rule in India. She became an iconic figure in India’s struggle for independence due to her bravery, leadership, and patriotism.
### Early Life
- **Birth**: Rani Lakshmibai was born **Manikarnika Tambe** on **19 November 1828** in Varanasi (then Benares).
- **Family**: Her father, Moropant Tambe, worked in the court of the Peshwa of Bithoor, while her mother, Bhagirathi Sapre, passed away when she was very young. The Peshwa treated her like his own daughter and affectionately called her "Chhabili" due to her playful and independent nature.
- **Education**: Unusual for women of her time, she was educated at home and trained in swordsmanship, horse riding, shooting, and archery.
### Marriage and Ascension as Rani
- **Marriage**: In 1842, at the age of 14, she was married to **Maharaja Gangadhar Rao Newalkar**, the ruler of the princely state of Jhansi, and she became known as Lakshmibai. In 1851, they had a son, but he tragically died in infancy.
- **Adoption**: After the loss of her biological son, the couple adopted a boy named Damodar Rao, a relative, in 1853. Unfortunately, Maharaja Gangadhar Rao died shortly after the adoption.
### Conflict with the British
- **Doctrine of Lapse**: Following her husband's death, the British East India Company, under Governor-General Lord Dalhousie, refused to recognize Damodar Rao as the heir to the throne of Jhansi due to the controversial **Doctrine of Lapse**, which allowed the British to annex any princely state without a natural male heir. Lakshmibai was offered a pension and asked to leave the palace, but she refused, declaring, "I will not give up my Jhansi."
### The Indian Rebellion of 1857
- **Role in the Rebellion**: The 1857 uprising against British rule, often referred to as India's First War of Independence, began when Indian soldiers rebelled in Meerut and spread throughout the country. Rani Lakshmibai quickly emerged as a leader. When the British forces attacked Jhansi in 1858, she led her army in defense of the city.
- **Defense of Jhansi**: Despite being outnumbered and facing a better-equipped British force, Lakshmibai held the city for two weeks. Her leadership and bravery in battle were legendary, and she personally took up arms, fighting on horseback with her infant son strapped to her back.
### Escape and Death
- **Escape from Jhansi**: After Jhansi fell, she managed to escape with a small group of loyal followers. She joined forces with Tatya Tope, another leader of the rebellion, and continued to fight against the British.
- **Battle of Gwalior**: Rani Lakshmibai's final stand came during the battle for Gwalior in June 1858. Dressed as a man and fighting fiercely, she was eventually killed on **18 June 1858**. According to popular accounts, she did not allow the British to capture her body, ordering her followers to cremate her to protect her dignity.
### Legacy
- **Symbol of Resistance**: Rani Lakshmibai became an enduring symbol of resistance to British rule in India. Her courage, leadership, and refusal to submit to British demands made her a national hero.
- **Influence on Future Generations**: She inspired countless freedom fighters during the Indian independence movement, including Mahatma Gandhi and Subhas Chandra Bose.
- **Cultural Impact**: Her life has been immortalized in poetry, literature, and film. The famous Hindi poem by Subhadra Kumari Chauhan, "Khoob Ladi Mardani Woh Toh Jhansi Wali Rani Thi" ("She fought valiantly, she was the Queen of Jhansi"), is a tribute to her bravery.
Rani Lakshmibai’s legacy as a fearless warrior and a patriotic leader continues to be celebrated in India to this day, symbolizing women's strength and resolve in the fight for justice and independence.
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