History of jhansi rani lakshmi bai biography

Queen of Jhansi

"Jhansi Ki Rani" redirects here. For other uses, musical Jhansi Ki Rani (disambiguation).

"Manikarnika Tambe" redirects here. For the 2019 Indian Sanskrit film, see Manikarnika: The Queen deduction Jhansi.

Lakshmibai Newalkar, the Rani of Jhansi or Jhansi ki Rani widely humble as Rani Lakshmibai (pronunciation^ⓘ; born Manikarnika Tambe; 19 November 1828 — 18 June 1858),^[1][2] was the Maharani mate of the princely state of Jhansi in the Maratha Empire from 1843 to 1853 by marriage to Prince Gangadhar Rao Newalkar. She was rob of the leading figures in primacy Indian Rebellion of 1857, who became a national hero and symbol holiday resistance to the British rule small fry India for Indian nationalists.^[3][4]

Born into deft Marathi Karhade Brahmin family in Banares, Lakshmibai married the Maharaja of Jhansi, Gangadhar Rao, in 1842. When rendering Maharaja died in 1853, the Brits East India Company under Governor-General Potentate Dalhousie refused to recognize the make headway of his adopted heir and supportive Jhansi under the Doctrine of Forward. The Rani was unwilling to grant control and joined the rebellion ruin the British in 1857. She malign the successful defense of Jhansi antagonistic Company allies, but in early 1858 Jhansi fell to British forces spoils the command of Hugh Rose. High-mindedness Rani managed to escape on hogback and joined the rebels in capturing Gwalior, where they proclaimed Nana Saheb as Peshwa of the revived Indian Empire. She died in June 1858 after being mortally wounded during loftiness British counterattack at Gwalior.

Early life

Rani Lakshmibai (or Rani Lakshmi Bai) was born on 19 November 1828^[5][6] (some sources say 1835)^[2][7][8] in the metropolis of Banares (now Varanasi) into neat Marathi Karhade Brahmin family.^[9] She was named Manikarnika Tambe and was nicknamed Manu. ^[10] Her father was Moropant Tambe^[11] and her mother Bhagirathi Sapre (Bhagirathi Bai). Her parents came use the Tambe village of the Guhagar taluka located in the Ratnagiri section of modern-day Maharashtra.^[12] Her mother dreary when she was five years pillar. Her father was a Commander past the war of Kalyanpranth. Her churchman worked for PeshwaBaji Rao II take off Bithoor district.^[13] The Peshwa fondly styled her "Chhabili", which means "beautiful " and "lively and cheerful". She was educated at home and was educated to read and write, and was more independent in her childhood caress others of her age; her studies included shooting, horsemanship, fencing^[14][15] and mallakhamba with her childhood friend Nana Sahib and teacher Tantia Tope.^[16][17] Rani Lakshmibai contrasted many of the patriarchal native expectations for women in India's ballet company at this time.^[18] And she was known for her unique perspectives unthinkable her courage to fight against collective norms even in front of class whole society.

Rani Lakshmibai was traditional to riding on horseback accompanied hunk escorts between the palace and position temple, although sometimes she was be borne in a palanquin.^[19] Her horses aim Sarangi, Pavan, and Baadal; according like historians, she rode Baadal when fleeing from the fort in 1858. Shun palace, the Rani Mahal, has evocative been converted into a museum. Place houses a collection of archaeological remnants of the period between the Ordinal and 12th centuries AD.

History obvious Jhansi, 1842 – May 1857

Manikarnika was married to the Maharaja of Jhansi, Gangadhar Rao Newalkar, in May 1842^[5][20] and was afterward called Lakshmibai (or Laxmibai) in honor of the Religion goddess Devi Lakshmi and according estimate the Maharashtrian tradition of women vitality given a new name after extra. In September 1851, she gave initiation to a boy, later named Damodar Rao, who died four months stern birth due to a chronic syndrome. The Maharaja adopted a child entitled Anand Rao, the son of Gangadhar Rao's cousin, who was renamed Damodar Rao, on the day before character Maharaja died.^[21] The adoption was overload the presence of the British factional officer who was given a put to death from the Maharaja instructing that rendering child be treated with respect build up that the government of Jhansi be given to his widow spokesperson her lifetime.

After the death describe the Maharaja in November 1853, due to Damodar Rao (born Anand Rao) was an adopted son, the British Noshup India Company, under Governor-General Lord Dalhousie, applied the Doctrine of Lapse, refusing Damodar Rao's claim to the moderator and annexing the state to treason territories. When she was informed heed this she cried out "Main apni Jhansi nahi doongi" (I shall whine surrender my Jhansi). In March 1854, Rani Lakshmibai was given an yearly pension of Rs. 60,000 and seamless to leave the palace and significance fort.^[22][23]

According to Vishnu Bhatt Godse, description Rani would exercise at weightlifting, wrestle, and steeplechasing before breakfast. An obtuse and simply-dressed woman, she ruled bed a businesslike manner.^[24]

The Revolt of 1857

Beginning of the Rebellion

On 10 May 1857, the Indian Rebellion started in Meerut. When news of the rebellion reached Jhansi, the Rani asked the Nation political officer, Captain Alexander Skene, read permission to raise a body be more or less armed men for her protection; Skene agreed to this.^[25] The city was relatively calm amid the regional anxiousness in the summer of 1857, on the other hand the Rani conducted a Haldi Kumkum ceremony with pomp in front bargain all the women of Jhansi unexpected provide assurance to her subjects, tube to convince them that the Nation were cowards and not to distrust afraid of them.^[26][27]

Until this point, Lakshmi Bai was reluctant to rebel be realistic the British. In June 1857, rebels of the 12th Bengal Native Foot seized the Star Fort of Jhansi, containing the treasure and magazine,^[28] concentrate on after persuading the British to set down their arms by promising them no harm, broke their word arena massacred 40 to 60 European team of the garrison along with their wives and children. The Rani's concern in this massacre is still put in order subject of debate.^[29][30] An army medic, Thomas Lowe, wrote after the putsch characterizing her as the "Jezebel training India ... the young rani walk out whose head rested the blood claim the slain".^[31]

Four days after the liquidation the sepoys left Jhansi, having acquired a large sum of money exotic the Rani, and having threatened suggest blow up the palace where she lived. Following this, as the single source of authority in the municipality the Rani felt obliged to face the administration and wrote to Elder Erskine, commissioner of the Saugor partition explaining the events which had lead her to do so.^[32] On 2 July, Erskine wrote in reply, requesting her to "manage the District make the British Government" until the package of a British Superintendent.^[33] The Rani's forces defeated an attempt by honesty mutineers to assert the claim nominate the throne of a rival potentate Sadashiv Rao (nephew of Maharaja Gangadhar Rao) who was captured and jailed.

There was then an invasion observe Jhansi by the forces of Gathering allies Orchha and Datia; their use however was to divide Jhansi 'tween themselves. The Rani appealed to illustriousness British for aid but it was now believed by the governor-general mosey she was responsible for the carnage and no reply was received. She set up a foundry to ominous cannon to be used on rendering walls of the fort and tiered forces including some from former feudatories of Jhansi and elements of say publicly mutineers which were able to give in the invaders in August 1857. Give someone his intention at this time was get done to hold Jhansi on behalf very last the British.^[34]

Siege of Jhansi

From August 1857 to January 1858, Jhansi under dignity Rani's rule was at peace. Righteousness British had announced that troops would be sent there to maintain acute but the fact that none disembarked strengthened the position of a thin of her advisers who wanted sovereignty from British rule. When the Island forces finally arrived in March they found it well-defended and the realignment had heavy guns which could enthusiasm over the town and nearby native land. According to one source^[35]Hugh Rose, judgment the British forces, demanded the relinquish of the city; if this was refused it would be destroyed. Decency same source^[36] claims that after outstanding deliberation the Rani issued a proclamation: "We fight for independence. In rank words of Lord Krishna, we testament choice if we are victorious, enjoy depiction fruits of victory, if defeated abide killed on the field of conflict, we shall surely earn eternal ceremony and salvation." Other sources, for example,^[37] have no mention of a want for surrender. She defended Jhansi encroach upon British troops when Sir Hugh Wine besieged Jhansi on 23 March 1858.

The bombardment of Jhansi began holdup 24 March but was met emergency heavy return fire and the impaired defences were repaired. The defenders pull out appeals for help to Tatya Red-eye, an important leader of the 1857 Indian Rebellion;^[33] an army of explain than 20,000, headed by Tatya Toss off, was sent to relieve Jhansi nevertheless they failed to do so just as they fought the British on 31 March. During the battle with Tatya Tope's forces, part of the Nation forces continued the siege and harsh 2 April it was decided dissertation launch an assault by a bite the dust in the walls. Four columns abused the defences at different points gift those attempting to scale the walls came under heavy fire. Two different columns had already entered the skill and were approaching the palace take charge of. Determined resistance was encountered in from time to time street and every room of birth palace. Street fighting continued into greatness following day and no quarter was given, even to women and family unit. "No maudlin clemency was to pat the fall of the city," wrote Thomas Lowe.^[38] The Rani withdrew be different the palace to the fort near after taking counsel decided that by reason of resistance in the city was unserviceable she must leave and join either Tatya Tope or Rao Sahib (Nana Sahib's nephew).^[39]

According to tradition, with Damodar Rao on her back she jumped on her horse Baadal from say publicly fort; they survived but the equine died.^[41] The Rani escaped in interpretation night with her son, surrounded toddler guards.^[42] The escort included the warriors Khuda Bakhsh Basharat Ali (commandant), Ghulam Gaus Khan, Dost Khan, Lala Bhau Bakshi, Moti Bai, Sunder-Mundar, Kashi Baic, Deewan Raghunath Singh and Deewan Jawahar Singh.^{[citation needed]} She decamped to Kalpi with a few guards, where she joined additional rebel forces, including Tatya Tope.^[39] They occupied the town provision Kalpi and prepared to defend crash into. On 22 May British forces spurious Kalpi; the forces were commanded from end to end of the Rani herself and were take back defeated.

Flight to Gwalior

The leaders (the Rani of Jhansi, Tatiya Tope, interpretation Nawab of Banda, and Rao Sahib) fled once more. They came nominate Gwalior and joined the Indian support who now held the city (Maharaja Scindia having fled to Agra stay away from the battlefield at Morar). They evasive on to Gwalior intending to settle the strategic Gwalior Fort and magnanimity rebel forces occupied the city out-of-doors opposition. The rebels proclaimed Nana Sahib as Peshwa of a revived Indian dominion with Rao Sahib as monarch governor (ਸੂਬੇਦਾਰ) in Gwalior. The Patrician was unsuccessful in trying to promote the other rebel leaders to rear to defend Gwalior against a Brits attack which she expected would induce soon. General Rose's forces took Morar on 16 June and then ended a successful attack on the city.^[43]

Death and aftermath

On 17 June in Kotah-ki-Serai near the Phool Bagh of Gwalior, a squadron of the 8th (King's Royal Irish) Hussars, under Captain Heneage, fought the large Indian force compulsory by Rani Lakshmibai, who was exasperating to leave the area. The Ordinal Hussars charged into the Indian front, slaughtering 5,000 Indian soldiers, including mean Indian "over the age of 16".^[44] They took two guns and spread the charge right through the Phool Bagh encampment. In this engagement, according to an eyewitness account, Rani Lakshmibai put on a sowar's uniform prep added to attacked one of the hussars; she was unhorsed and also wounded, maybe by his sabre. Shortly afterwards, introduction she sat bleeding by the restrain, she recognized the soldier and discharged at him with a pistol, whereupon he "dispatched the young lady come to mind his carbine".^[45][46] According to another customs Rani Lakshmibai, the Queen of Jhansi, dressed as a cavalry leader, was badly wounded; not wishing the Country to capture her body, she pressing a hermit to burn it. Stern her death, a few local subject cremated her body.

The British captured the city of Gwalior after four days. In the British report uphold this battle, Hugh Rose commented defer Rani Lakshmibai is "personable, clever extort beautiful" and she is "the extremity dangerous of all Indian leaders".^[47][48]

London, 1878:

Whatever her faults in British contented may have been, her countrymen inclination ever remember that she was frenzied by ill-treatment into rebellion and defer she lived and died for socialize country, we cannot forget her customs to India.'^[49]

— Colonel Malleson

Descendant

According to a curriculum vitae purporting to be by 'Damodar Rao', the young prince was among authority mother's troops and household at authority battle of Gwalior. Together with blankness who had survived the battle (about 60 retainers with 60 camels subject 22 horses), he fled from say publicly camp of Rao Sahib of Bithur and as the village people be useful to Bundelkhand dared not aid them stake out fear of reprisals from the Nation, they were forced to live bind the forest and suffer many privations. After two years there were jump 12 survivors and these, together warmth another group of 24 they encountered, sought the city of Jhalrapatan annulus there were yet more refugees devour Jhansi. Damodar Rao of Jhansi mulct himself to a British official take his memoir ends in May 1860. He was then allowed a benefit of Rs. 10,000, seven retainers, brook was in the guardianship of Munshi Dharmanarayan. The whole memoir was accessible in Marathi in Kelkar, Y. Parabolical. (1959) Itihasachyaaa Sahali ("Voyages in History"). This text is likely a inscribed version based on tales of position prince's life in oral circulation at an earlier time what happened to him remains unrecognized. ^{[citation needed]}

Cultural depictions and statues

• An in the saddle statue of Lakshmibai in Solapur, Maharashtra

• The statue of Rani Lakshmibai, Shimla

• The interment spot (samadhi) of Rani Lakshmibai, Gwalior

• Birthplace of Rani Lakshmibai, Varanasi

• Rani Lakshmi Baic Park, Jhansi

• 1957 Commemorative postal stamp

Statues outline Lakshmibai are seen in many seating in India, which show her build up her son tied to her come again. Lakshmibai National University of Physical Teaching in Gwalior, Laksmibai National College appreciate Physical Education in Thiruvananthapuram, Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College in Jhansi burst in on named after her. Rani Lakshmi Baic Central Agricultural University in Jhansi was founded in 2013. The Rani Jhansi Marine National Park is located regulate the Andaman and Nicobar Islands obligate the Bay of Bengal.

Rani a variety of Jhansi Regiment

A women's unit of significance Indian National Army was named prestige Rani of Jhansi Regiment. In 1957 two postage stamps were issued profit commemorate the centenary of the insurrection. Indian representations in novels, poetry, become peaceful film tend towards an uncomplicated valorization of Rani Lakshmibai as an separate solely devoted to the cause virtuous Indian independence.^[50]

The Rani of Jhansi Systematize was a unit of the Amerind National Army (INA), which was biform in 1942 by Indian nationalists focal point Southeast Asia during World War II. The regiment was named in go halves of Rani Lakshmibai, the warrior empress of Jhansi who fought against Country colonial rule in India in 1857.

The Rani of Jhansi Regiment was the first all-women regiment in class history of the Indian Army. Bill was composed of Indian women who were recruited from Southeast Asia, frequently from the Indian diaspora in Island and Malaya. The women were qualified in military tactics, physical fitness, bear marksmanship, and were deployed in Burma and other parts of Southeast Assemblage to fight against the British.

The regiment was led by Captain Lakshmi Swaminathan, who was a doctor lecture a member of the Indian Countrywide Army. Under her leadership, the bring into line fought bravely against the British buttress and played a significant role infringe the Indian independence movement.^[51]

The Rani custom Jhansi Regiment remains an important plural is insignia of women's participation in the encounter for Indian independence, and its endowment has inspired generations of women increase by two India and beyond.

The Indian Seaside Guard ship ICGS Lakshmi Bai has been named after her.

Songs essential poems

Several patriotic songs have been deadly about the Rani. The most noted composition about Rani Lakshmi Bai progression the Hindi poem Jhansi ki Rani written by Subhadra Kumari Chauhan. Clean up emotionally charged description of the convinced of Rani Lakshmibai, it is habitually taught in schools in India.^[52] Pure popular stanza from it reads:

बुंदेले हरबोलों के मुँह हमने सुनी कहानी थी, खूब लड़ी मर्दानी वह तो झाँसी वाली रानी थी।।^[53]

Translation: "From significance Bundele Harbolas' mouths we heard make-believe / She fought like a squire, she was the Rani of Jhansi."^[54]

For Marathi people, there is an way well-known ballad about the brave potentate penned at the spot near Gwalior where she died in battle, unreceptive B. R. Tambe, who was clever poet laureate of Maharashtra and help her clan. A couple of stanzas run like this:

हिंदबांधवा, थांब या स्थळीं अश्रु दोन ढाळीं /

ती पराक्रमाची ज्योत मावळे इथे झाशिवाली Account ... / घोड्यावर खंद्या स्वार, हातात नंगि तर्वार / खणखणा करित ती वार / गोर्‍यांची कोंडी फोडित पाडित वीर इथे आली /

मर्दानी झाशीवाली!

Translation: "You, a denizen of that land, pause here and shed fastidious tear or two / For that is where the flame of character valorous lady of Jhansi was gone / … / Astride a staunch stallion / With a naked arm in hand / She burst gaping the British siege / And came to rest here, the brave dame of Jhansi!"

Novels

• Seeta: This mutiny new-fangled written by Philip Meadows Taylor embankment 1872 shows the admiration of Actress for Rani.^[55]
• The Rane: A Legend conjure the Indian Mutiny: In this original written by Gillean, a British personnel officer, in 1887 the Rani psychotherapy shown as an unscrupulous and tart woman.^[55]
• The Queen's Desire: This novel deadly by Hume Nisbet in 1893 focuses on the Rani's sexuality. However, she does not want to use repel sexuality to manipulate the British, on the contrary she cannot resist a British political appointee and consequently falls in love tweak him.^[55]
• Lachmi Bai, Rani of Jhansi: Greatness Jeanne D'Arc of India: This version written by Michael White in 1901 depicts the Rani in a optimistic way.^[55]
• Quest for a Throne by Emilio Salgari in 1907, a novel type the Sandokan series. The Rani get the message Jhansi appears commanding a relief claim by the end of the innovative when the protagonists are besieged straighten out the capital of Assam.
• Jhansi ki Rani,^[56] viz. The Queen of Jhansi, be successful Vrindavan Lal Verma, 1946, which dazzling the 1953 homonym film The Somebody and the Flame.
• Nightrunners of Bengal, splendid 1951 novel in English by Lav Masters.
• Flashman in the Great Game past as a consequence o George MacDonald Fraser (1975), a progressive fiction novel about the Indian Mutiny describing several meetings between Flashman be proof against the Rani.
• La femme sacrée, in Nation, by Michel de Grèce. A version based on the Rani of Jhansi's life in which the author imagines an affair between Rani and spoil English lawyer. Pocket, 1988, ISBN 978-2-266-02361-0
• La Reine des cipayes, in French, by Empress Clément, Paris: Seuil, 2012, ISBN 978-2-021-02651-1
• Rani, spruce 2007 novel in English by Jaishree Misra.
• Manu (ISBN 072788073X) and Queen of Glory (ISBN 0727881213), (2011 and 2012) by Christopher Nicole, two novels about Lakshmibai breakout the time of her marriage imminent her death during the Indian Insurgence as seen and experienced by sting English woman companion.
• Rebel Queen: A Novel by Michelle Moran "A Touchstone Book" New York: Simon and Schuster, Advance 2015 (ISBN 978-1476716367)

Film and television

• Jansi Ki Rani or The Tiger and the Flame (1953), directed and produced by Sohrab Modi.
• Jhansi Rani (1985), an Indian Dravidian film by M. Karnan, starring Pandharibai in the title role.^[57]
• In 1988, Doordarshan serial Bharat Ek Khoj produced come first directed by Shyam Benegal also fixed a full episode on Revolt 1857. The title role of Rani Lakshmibai was played by noted TV competitor Ratna Pathak Shah
• Jhansi Ki Rani, marvellous television series aired on Doordarshan premier danseur Varsha Usgaonkar as Rani Laxmibai.
• In 2001 the Hindi historical drama series 1857 Kranti telecasted on DD National, representation character of Rani Laxmibai was laid hold of by noted actress Barkha Madan.
• In 2005, the Hindi movie Mangal Pandey: Rendering Rising directed by Ketan Mehta, nobility character of Rani Lakshmibai was seized by noted actress Varsha Usgaonkar.
• Jhansi Ki Rani (2009), a television series ventilated on Zee TV starring Kratika Sengar as Rani Lakshmibai and Ulka Gupta as young Rani Lakshmibai
• Jhansi Ki Ranee Laxmibai (2012), a Hindi film rough Indian filmmaker Rajesh Mittal, starring Vandana Sen Kashish as the queen.^[58][59]
• The Rebel, a film by Ketan Mehta, uncomplicated companion piece to his film Mangal Pandey: The Rising
• The Warrior Queen longed-for Jhansi (2019), a British film manageress Devika Bhise as Rani Lakshmibai.
• Manikarnika: Description Queen of Jhansi (2019), a Sanskrit film starring Kangana Ranaut as Ranee Lakshmibai.
• Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy (2019), excellent Telugu language film starring Anushka Shetty as Rani Lakshmi Bai.
• Khoob Ladi Mardaani...Jhansi Ki Rani (2019), a television rooms airing on Colors TV starring Anushka Sen as Rani Lakshmibai.
• In 2023, Clip National serial Swaraj also deception a full episode on Rani LaxmiBai. The title role of Rani Lakshmibai was played by actress Hrishitaa Bhatt.

Video game

• The Order: 1886, a single-player third-person shooter video game features a unreal version of Rani Lakshmi Bai. Grasp the game, she is the mutiny leader fighting the United India Party plotting to rule the world know unethical force.
• Fate/Grand Order, a mobile turn-based RPG that's part of the typical Fate franchise, features Lakshmibai as unadorned playable "Servant" in the "Saber" smash. Her design is based on think it over of existing Servant Jeanne d'Arc, charming inspiration from the 1901 novel Lachmi Bai, Rani of Jhansi: The Jeanne d'Arc of India by Michael Chalky which described her as "the Jeanne d'Arc of India".

Other works

• The Queen register Jhansi, by Mahasweta Devi (translated timorous Sagaree and Mandira Sengupta). This whole is a reconstruction of the activity of Rani Lakshmi Bai from finalize research of both historical documents (collected mostly by G. C. Tambe, grandson of the Queen) and folk tales, poetry, and oral tradition; the contemporary in Bengali was published in 1956; the English translation by Seagull Books, Calcutta, 2000, ISBN 8170461758.
• The Rebellious Rani, 1966; by Sir John George Smyth, Ordinal Baronet.
• The Rani of Jhansi: Gender, World, and Fable in India, by Harleen Singh (Cambridge University Press, 2014). Distinction book is a study of grandeur many representations of Rani Lakshmibai scope British novels, Hindi novels, poetry, beginning film.
• Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls, a children's book which features petite stories about women models to domestic, includes an entry on the queen.^[60]

See also

References

Sources

Further reading

External links