Rani of Jhansi ( Rani Laxmi Bai ) began to strengthen her position. Jhansi became the focal point of uprising. Source : Youtube The Battle for Jhansi (Rebillion of 1857) Image Source : Google Rani’s forces were joined by other warriors and their forces, often from nearby villages or other regions. She strengthened its defences and assembled a volunteer army.
Rani Jhansi ( Rani Laxmi Bai) was determined not to give up Jhansi. She was firm on the decision not to give up the dominion of Jhansi to Britishers. In March 1854 Rani of Jhansi ( Rani Laxmi Bai) was granted an annual pension of 60,000 and was ordered to leave the Jhansi fort. Laxmibai was firm about protecting the state of Jhansi. Also, an order was passed asking the Rani to leave Jhansi fort and move to the Rani Mahal in Jhansi. The British authorities confiscated the state jewels. Thereafter, she filed an appeal for the hearing of her case in London. Rani Lakshmi Bai went to a British lawyer and consulted him. As per the Doctrine of Lapse, Lord Dalhousie decided to seize the state of Jhansi. However, the British rulers refused to accept him as the legal heir. As per the Hindu tradition, he was their legal heir. British Want Jhansi Image Source : Googleĭuring that period, Lord Dalhousie was the Governor General of British India. Under the Doctrine of Lapse, Lord Dalhousie decided to annex the state of Jhansi as Maharaja Gangadhar Rao had left no legal heir. Though little Damodar Rao, adopted son of late Maharaja Gangadhar Rao and Rani Lakshmi Bai was Maharaja’s heir and successor as per the Hindu tradition, the British rulers rejected Rani Laxmi Bai claim that Damodar Rao was their legal heir. AnnexationĪt that time Lord Dalhousie was the Governor-General of India. Rani Laxmi Bai always remembered her responsibility. After the death of Maharaja Gangadhar Rao, she was left alone. Maharaja Gangadhar Rao expired the following day. To ensure that the British would not be able to contest the adoption, the Rani had it witnessed by the local British representatives. In 1853 Gangadhar Rao fell very ill and he was persuaded to adopt a child. After their marriage, she was given the name Lakshmi Bai. Rani Laxmi Bai was married to Raja Gangadhar Rao, the Maharaja of Jhansi in 1842 and became the Queen of Jhansi. She completed her education and also learned horse riding, sword fighting and shooting. The complete responsibility of the young girl fell on the father. Mannikarnika (Manu) was the name of Rani Lakshmi Bai in her childhood. Rani Lakshmi Bai was a Maharashtrian Brahmin born sometime around 1828 at Kashi (presently known as Varanasi). She also took formal training in martial arts, which included horse riding, shooting and fencing. Her father raised her in an unconventional way and supported her to learn to ride elephants and horses. At a tender age of four, she lost her mother.
Rani Laxmi Bai was born to a Maharashtrian family at Kashi (now Varanasi ) in 1835.
Rani Lakshmi Bai was the queen of a small state, but the empress of a limitless empire of glory. Rani Lakshmi Bai was the embodiment of self-respect and heroism. Rani Lakshmi Bai was one of the leading figures of the Indian rebellion of 1857 and a symbol of resistance to British rule in India. Rani Lakshmi Bai ( The Rani of Jhansi )was the queen of the Maratha ruled princely state of Jhansi in North India.