Today we pay tribute to Lakshmi Bai – the Rani (queen) of Jhansi – killed in battle on this day in 1858 by British Imperialists during India’s First War of Independence. She was twenty-two years old. The story of this freedom-fighting warrior heroine is the stuff of legend. Like Boudicca, she trained and personally led an army against occupying forces. Like Joan of Arc, she rode into battle dressed as a man. And, like the fictitious Scarlet Pimpernel, so mysterious and mythologised is the Rani that it’s difficult to identify the truth. Was she beautiful, as most accounts claim? Or was her face disfigured by smallpox? Was she a diplomatic head of state, or a ruthless and cunning rebel? Even the details of her death are uncertain. Many Western sources cite the date as 17th June 1858, while orthodox Indian references state the 18th. According to some versions, she died riding into battle against the British. Others say that she was shot while holding the ramparts of Gwalior Fort. Whatever the truth, the story of a female leader battling for her kingdom against the might of the British fired the Indian nationalistic imagination. During the long struggle for freedom, it was the Rani of Jhansi who served as the emblematic symbol of resistance.
So how did this real-life Xena manage to lead an army in the modern era, in direct opposition to the perceived notions of nineteenth-century Indian (and worldwide) feminine decorum?
In 1848, the power-hungry British East India Company under the leadership of Lord Dalhousie adopted the “doctrine of lapse” – allowing the British to annex an Indian state if the ruler did not have a male heir. Resistance to the policy, and the subsequent Great Rebellion of 1857, brought the Rani of Jhansi – the young widow of the last ruler of the state of Jhansi – into the political spotlight. After Jhansi “lapsed” to the British in 1854, the Rani repeatedly petitioned the British for her adopted son’s rightful inheritance. To Dalhousie she wrote: “It is notorious, my Lord, that the more powerful a state … the less disposed it is to acknowledge an error or an act of arbitrary character.” She later appealed to the Court of Directors of London, writing that the lapse represented a “gross violation and negation of the Treaties of the Government of India.” Her diplomatic pleas were rejected.
When British army Sepoys (Indian-born soldiers) rebelled in Jhansi, the Rani was held accountable despite her lack of involvement in the mutiny. In retaliation, the British army led by Major-General Sir Hugh Rose attacked Jhansi in March 1858, and laid siege upon the fort. Lakshmi Bai escaped and was tracked to Banda, where Rose’s forces reported that “… though the fellows did their utmost, she got away … She is a wonderful woman, very brave and determined. It is fortunate for us that the [Jhansi] men are not all like her.” In June 1858, 20,000 Indian rebels led by the Rani – donned in full warrior’s regalia – mounted an attack on Rose’s forces outside Gwalior. And it was here that the queen met her death. Rose wrote of his foe: “The Rani was remarkable for her bravery, cleverness and perseverance; her generosity to her Subordinates was unbounded. These qualities, combined with her rank, rendered her the most dangerous of all the rebel leaders.” The British captured Gwalior three days later, and burnt the royal library containing thousands of ancient Sanskrit scriptures.
In 1942, an all-women regiment of the Indian National Army formed to fight British colonial rule, was named in honour of the Rani of Jhansi. She was a most potent symbol of women’s empowerment, courage, tenacity and capacity for India – and for us all!
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i like verrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrryyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy much jansi rani
yes i also like
I like the Queen of jansi veeeeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrryymuch im siman sani from India
l like jhansi rani . she is the heroine of every girl’s mind.
Actually she was very brave she is also a great queen for jhanshi I salllute him… Jai hind
i love jhansi ki rani queen soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much
i like rani laxmi bai very much.she is great
I also love her……….
rani Is a good fighter and brave mother
RANI LAXMI BAI WAS AN ENIGMA OF INDIA. I LIKE HER VERY MUCH.
I also miss her
U all are write rani laksmibai is my favourite
sindya family involve in death of legendary ZASHI KI RANI
l am so proud of rani laxmi by …………
U r the greatest leader ever..no one can take ur plc…
Beeeeeeeeeest film in world
Iv been watching it so many times and it gets me
❤️ worlds most Strongest heroine ever❤️
Nobody love it more than me
Every one should know about the great Lakshmi bai
i know about Rani of jhansi as she was a strong fearless and brave warrior, and every women of india should be like her. and i salute her for her bravery
my idel is maha rani ralaxami bai she is a god gift
jhansi ki rani AMAR rahe…!!
jai hind…
No words to describe the bravery of Rani jhansi!
My salute to late Maharani Laxmibai.
Considering what mean britishers did to our beloved motherland, it is a shame we still behave like slaves to
white woman.
Why just to white women, I think to men as well, but fault is ours, as some of our forefathers were driven by greed, and sold there souls and there kind to the white.
Iilove janshi ki rani very. Strong leady
Every lady should know that she has enough bravery to fought against disorder law like lakshmi bai
my only wish is to spread the bravery and sacrifice of maharani for india and i have to stay in jhansi atleast for a week…………..
JHANSI RANI KO JAI!!!!!!!!!!
and i am thinking her as my god and a devotee …..
so i wish you also to be a devotee of her
She is verrrrryyyy braveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
It is a pity that modern Indians are so British oriented that look upon everything British as their goals in life. They have forgotten how they were humiliated in the past. How could a foreign power introduce something as absurd as “The Doctroine of Lapse” and using it as an excuse to rob land belonging to others. They did it in the past and they are still doing it today in the Middle East. There ought to be more Lakshimi Bais in India today. The last great Lashmi was the late Dr. Lashmi Sahgal of the INA. She formed the all-women”Rani of Jhansi Regiment” in an attempt to liberate India from British colonial rule during the 2WW
I want to become like rani lakshmibai
i am very proud of rani lakshmi bai
jhansi ki rani sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo grate and brave i like it i am thankful to her.
Maharani Laxmi Bai is the incarnation of Maa Durga.
Every Indian must read the history of Jhansi Maharani the Maharani of Mankind
not one time but 100 times. then only you can be a true Indian.
It is my prayer that the aathma of Maharani take birth once again in India.
and save India.
she did as Indira Gandhi. same date of birth and life history and resemblance.
she motivates me as I am in a marriage surrounded by people well versed with English and indian literature aim to own a superior status based on their caste, he is Brahmin and I am shatriya, my husbands parents and like Jhansi husband my husband is also weak and just want to go by being very proper.
Seven yrs ago, I challenged his parents as god showed me how his dad asked their son to brainwash kids, boys, against their mother and pull them on his side. My husband was secretly doing this even before.
After quietly and respectfully managing my life and their ways, I was furious to see how ur own spouse and his parents can take liberty to own and interfere in a family and marriage of 18yrs.
With not much to fall back in foreign land, my inspiration came from Krishna and brave Jhansi ki rani.
I hope to motivate other beings, man or woman, who hv been unjustfully exploited.
I only wish that I would see Rani Lakshmibai In Real
my god , my friend,my heart , i love uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu jansirani ni illa na nan ella jansirani vallka…………
Jhansi ki rani is my role model.
her realname was manekarnika
She is my favorite freedom fighter……
And every girl should be like her brave & powerful………….
yes
her nick name is manu
She was married to Gagadhar Rao.
When the righteousness means rebelling alone against one of the greatest power of world, still she felt the responsibility of showing others the path towards freedom with bravery and graceful martyrdom. A women in her twenties only, widow, with child, had infact started the freedom train of india.
She proved that there has to be fire in someone to fight for the cause. Being a lady challenging the mightiest empire ever on earth, fighting courageously without any slightest fear, thereby igniting the valoursness of indian manhood.
There are very few examples of such brave ladies in history. Though death is ultimate destination of every body, but yet act of 23 old lady is going to be admired for ever. She took a stand when everybody was frightened and confused. She shown the true meaning of bravery, setting herself as example.
I totally agree with you and love to watch the episodes of Maharani Laxmi Bai. Her character is an example for the mankind. She was a true leader and a pillar of strength and bravery. I salute her courage and personality. Today we need her, I wish her to come in this world again and replay her story.
Ranil Luxmi Bai was brave woman if we want to stop the crime againest the women,then we should inspire them to fallow the path shown by her ,this is the only way through which women will feel safer. all the protections and securety provided by the police and goverment are in vain unless women are preare themselves for their procetion and securety
i really lyk her a lot . i hope women learn to b brave lyk her n try to get sum justice fr thmselves .. wish she would have been thr in our tym !!
shes jst the best no one can like
hers story is bravest i hav evr heard of
no no no 1 can be like RANI LAXMIBAI shes just the best
i llllllllllllluuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu
rani bai
u will always remain in our heart
v really really really luvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu ummmmmma
I proud to be an Indian and I proud to be a part of Jhansi..
My Dream is to See Rani Laxmi Bhai,I she would born again then the Crime of in India will Definetly Lost.
You can find her wherever you find justice,bravery and self confidence. Though many people read English history and think she was selfish then they need to know that she had done everything she could for others and had also divided the treasure of jhansi among her subjects. No one can ever be like her but they can fulfill her wish ……… you may know her wishrs,..don’t you
my heart is jhansi rani…….
she was the real heroine of world.
india ki har ladkiyan jhansi rani jesi ho ne chahie
I love u laxmi bai
ooooooooooooooo
I wish I was born in the era of jhansi Rani and chopped the heads of British.
jansi ki rani laxmibai is a brave women of india which want free india from angrej
Iam really proud of jhansi.
i worship her .i really salute to her
i feel proud when anybody talk about her.She is my ideal. nd i alwaya salute her
सच मे रानी लक्ष्मी बाई इज द BEST
YES
it is very brove rani lashkmi bai it is love for india
¶hlypjhhph
I am an asian british yet I wish that we never won the battle. Rani lakshmi bai is my role model I will always look up to her and I pray that her soul rests in peace
she is very brave women in the world
I hade just read this article . I like it but I am eager to know that what happened to his son and her kingdom jansi after her death.
I have to make a project on her in skul nd jst by getting alot information of her i wud jst sy dat she iz jst fab, hatts off to her!!!!
To share with are children and youth every where, we just launched an ipad/iphone App named Tales of India – Rani Jhansi The Warrior Queen.
Pleasse check out our website and help us reach more people.
Thanks
rani laxmi bai is the great lady ,i m proud of her , i salute her bravery
am really happy and i follow for RANI LAKSHMI BAI!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rani of Jhansi Rules!
سوبهس شازنى جانسى
ئهگهر کوردستان وریا نهبێت بهم زوانه بیانیهکان وهک جانسی لێدهکهن. Wake up Kurdish politicians!
I also like jhansi ki rani (queen) lakshmi bai
she was abrave queen the time she was in the battle with captain nelson she was very sencerble and very active lady may the lord be with her
I like very much
I am admired this brave Indian Lady, all Hindstan should be proud on her(Queen Rani)
my name is jansi rani
she is my gift of nature
i want 2 like her
she is 1 of the brave women in the world
tribute to her.har har mahadev .i salute her .
She was married at the age of 15 and she died at the age of 23.
wow and she had kids
I have heard so many stories before but it is not very excitement as jhansi ki rani laxmibai, she is very brave women in the world, and the proud of indian history but indian people have to be like her, protect their country from enemies and you have to make another history like laxmibai, i wish she is still alive because i want to see her. and i really like to visit indian historical places like jhansi, it is very amazing place so, i will visit someday. india has so many stories that doesn’t told, anyway i want to say laxmibai is a very brave, fearless, strong, prideful women as i have heard. but i have a question, IS THE STORY OF JHANSI KI RANI LAXMIBAI REAL STORY IN INDIA?… THANYOU.
you have gone to jhansi to meet
Yeah this is real
Its amazing to that such a woman existed on the earth. Wooooow !
When you imagine all the atrocities of the British and Muslims in India, you hate them.
i love barvery of rani laxmi bai and i am also thakful that i was born in jhansi and belong from jhansi
I was so glad I stumbled onto this site. Queen Rani’s bravery is inspiring! I want read more about her!
i like the QUEEN WARRIOR OF JAHNSI very muchhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh and oneday i will vist indiaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
existing! what abrave queen l wish I was there.
She is my favorite freedom fighter……
And every girl should be like her brave
& powerful………….
Is there any connection of Jhansi ki Rani’s Death and Sai (shiridi wale).
I heard somewhere that sai has connection with the person who betrayed Jhansi ki rani
I do not believe in Saiyyad Mohd Chand Miyan (Sai Baba) so i am just going into depth of all roumers and chamatkars of baba.
the english must honor JHANSI KI RANI WHOLE HEARTEDLY EVEN TO DAY
Laxmi bai is my hero ad my role model
Bharat ki mardangi hai laxmi bai
i respect her for her fight against britishers………..
I WANT BECOME LIKE RANI LAKSHMI BAI
I LIKE RANI LAKSHMI BAI
she is very great and brave woman in our country
I am like ….rani laksmi bhi
She was a gr8 personality in da indian history and no one was as brave as her…
She was a legendary fighter
I proud jhansi ki rani lakshmi bai we r very thankfullllllll jhansi ki rani
do you guys know how did rani of jansi die like did she get hit by an arrow
wasn’t she like severely wounded on her way to somewhere safe and unfortunately she was very near her end. in the show it said that she told tatya tope her teacher to take her son somewhere safe
idk what happened next it wasn’t in the show
after all it was abt HER not what happened after that
i like rani lazmi bai veryveryvery much i need to settle my life in jhansi and know about her family and life
I want be a jhansi rani and make her name much proud.She did not die she is still standing as indian flag in my heart.She is the only one rolemodel for me. Her dead was a brave death . I mean veera maranam. She is like rolemodel for brave ladies.
What a great leader
Jhansi ki Rani Laxmi Bai sakshat Maa Ranchandika ka swaroop thi . JHANSI KI RANI mere liye maa Durga h or jitni izzat or pyar mera meri maa k liye h utni hi izzat Jhansi ki Rani ki h. Jhansi ki rani meri role model h meri ideal h . mjhe unse jine ki himmat or burai,galat , dukho , sanghrasho se ldne ki taqat milti h.i know its impossible but m jhansi ki rani se 1baar milna chahta hu . .unke charan chukar aashirwad lena chahta hu . Bhagwan se pray krta hu ki unke jesi himmat,nidarta, josh , or umang mujhe bhi de or hrr hindustani nari ko de jiske sath anyay,atyachar hote h . Jhansi ki Rani swatantrata senaniyo m meri most favourite yodha h . mujhse bda unka koi fan nhi ho skta .Bhagwan se vinti
h ki mere mrne k baad Heaven m unse zarur milu ………….. wo mere liye meri maa or maa durga jesi hi pujniya h…
I really really miss my Kaliyug’s Goddess Ranchandika JHANSI KI RANI LAXMI BAI….
m ik baar jhansi jana chahta hu . or pure holidays whi spend krna chahta hu . wha rhkr m unke or unke family se milna chahunga . or jhansi mahal . jhansi fort . jokham bagh . phool bagh. kalpi. or hr wo jagah jha pr rani laxmi bai . gyi
wha zarur jana chahunga . or us complete area ko dekhna chahta hu jha unki mojudgi thi . or wha jakr unhe anubhav krna chahunga …
i love it every night i dream me learning from her.also check out malikat jansi the movie it is in her memory i looooooooooooooovvvvvvvvvve her
i like rani lazmi bai veryveryvery much i need to settle my life in jhansi and know about her family and life
Jhansi ki rani is so brave
I salute Rani Lakshmi Bai ! I also want to be like her !!!!!!!!!!!
Jhansi ki Rani Laxmi Bai …..
We all r very proud of u …. And our motherland who has gave birth to such a great warrior like u . You were a excellent source of alarm of danger to d British ” firangi “
Gud ….. Of course… I too salute Rani Laxmibai and her contributions to the people of India . I am proud that I belong to India . I’m also grateful yo god for making me as I am …
A great salute too laxmi bai
i can feel rani lakshmi by 19 century God
My inspiration…
apply rani lakshmi bhai the great
Lakshmi kannan
In lucky women I am .missed the chance to join with her in sepoymutiny…love u maathaaa.real durgaa
Unlucky*
I salute you Laxmibai , you are really great!
She is strong
The Great lakshmi bai
It is learn that jhansi ki rani arrested and send to england secretly by ship the kill was jhalkai bai.
the film speaks the great hero ever I wish I could be brave like her
she is great
I bow to Queen Lakshmibai
A
lthough am a Ghanaian girl i really want to be like Rani Lakshmibai.
Wow! I wish she was still alive, I would have come from Ghana to salute her..such a great queen has left a great legacy for all freedom fighters across the globe. The entire world will continue to keep her memories!
She died at in war
she really left a vast history that can never be forgotten
I LIKE JHANSI RANI VERYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY MUCH SHE MADE MANY WOMEN STAND AND FIGHT FOR THIER NATION AND THEIR FREEDOM NOT TO BE UNDER BRITISH RULE
Rani is extremely great, I love her for her bravery,