HomeMost PopularRole and Contributions of Rani Lakshmi Bai in India's Freedom Struggle

Role and Contributions of Rani Lakshmi Bai in India’s Freedom Struggle

Rani Laxmibai also called the Rani of Jhansi was a key figure in the Indian Rebellion of 1857. She is also considered one of the greatest freedom fighters in India. Rani Lakshmibai was born on 19 November 1828 in the city of Varanasi. She was given the name Manikarnika Tambe and nicknamed Manu. Her father was Moropant Tambe and her mother was Bhagirathi Sapre (Bhagirathi Bai) who was from modern day Maharashtra.

Her mother died when she was four years old. Her father was a war commander under Peshwa Baji Rao II of Bithorr district. Educated at home, she could read and write and was more independent as a child than others her age; her studies included shooting, horse riding and fencing, which went against the cultural expectations for women in Indian society at the time.

• At the age of 14 in 1842, she married the Maharaja of Jhansi Gangadhar Rao.

• Her name after marriage was Laxmibai.

• Her son Damodar Rao was born in 1851. But he died after four months.

• Gangadhar Rao died in 1853. Before he died he adopted his cousin Anand Rao’s son who was renamed Damodar Rao.

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 Contributions of Rani Lakshmi Bai in India’s Freedom Struggle

Known for her extraordinary bravery, Rani Lakshmi Bai was an important name in the freedom struggle against the British. This section highlights her major activities against the British government to fulfill the dream of Free India.

10 points on Rani Lakshmi Bai’s role in the 1857 rebellion:

• Lord Dalhousie (born 22 April 1812) sought to annex Jhansi when the Maharaja died under the Doctrine of Lapse as the king had no natural heir.

• On this the Rani was granted a year’s pension and was asked to leave the Jhansi fort.

• The rebellion of 1857 broke out in Meerut and the Rani ruled over Jhansi as regent for her minor son.

• British forces under Sir Hugh Rose arrived at Jhansi Fort with the intention of capturing it in 1858. He demanded that the city surrender or be destroyed.

• Rani Laxmibai refused and declared, “We are fighting for independence. In the words of Lord Krishna, if we are victorious, we will enjoy the fruits of victory, if we are defeated and killed on the battlefield, we will surely get eternal glory and salvation.”

• For two weeks the battle continued where the Rani led her army of men and women bravely against the British. Despite a brave fight, Jhansi lost the battle.

• The Rani, tying her young son on her back, fled to Kalpi on horseback.

• Along with Tatya Tope and other rebel soldiers, the Rani captured the Gwalior fort.

• She then proceeded to Morar, Gwalior to fight the British.

• Rani Laxmibai died during the fighting at Gwalior on 18 June 1858 at the age of 23. She was dressed as a soldier when she died.

Legacy

Sir Hugh Rose commented: “Remarkable for her beauty, cleverness and endurance, she was the most dangerous of all rebel leaders. The best and bravest of them all.”

• Rani Laxmibai became a symbol of resistance against British rule for later nationalists in India.

• She will forever be remembered as a great martyr who gave her life for freedom. It is a symbol of courage, heroism and female power.

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