अब आप न्यूज्ड हिंदी में पढ़ सकते हैं। यहाँ क्लिक करें
Home » Lifestyle » Rani Lakshmi Bai 162nd Death Anniversary: Know inspiring story and facts about great Indian warrior ‘Rani of Jhansi’

Rani Lakshmi Bai 162nd Death Anniversary: Know inspiring story and facts about great Indian warrior ‘Rani of Jhansi’

Rani Lakshmi Bai's raw courage and a nationalistic endeavour made even her enemies take note of her fearlessness.

By Newsd
Published on :

Rani Lakshmi Bai was born to defend her territory from the British marauder. Famously known as ‘Jhansi Ki Rani,’ she was one of the leading warriors in India’s First War of Independence which was fought in 1857. One of the central figures of this fight was Rani Lakshmibai, the queen of Jhansi. Her raw courage and a nationalistic endeavour made even her enemies take note of her fearlessness.

Her life was surrounded with honour, devotion and patriotism.

While her territory was being attacked, even the British General, who was in command praised her for her bravery and intelligence. Her early life and her throne as Rani of Jhansi, inspired generations of Indian warriors and freedom fighters.

Manikarnika was born in the town of Varanasi into a Marathi Karhade Brahmin family. Her struggles in life began at the age of four, when her mother passed away. She was raised solely by her father who worked as an advisor in the court of Peshwa. He would always support her in learning horsemanship, archery, self-defence and shooting. In 1842, Manikarnika got married to the king of Jhansi, Gangadhar Rao Newalkar and got the name of Rani Lakshmibai. A few years later after marriage, in 1851 the queen of Jhansi gave birth to a bay boy who could not survive and died after four months.

The couple later adopted Rao’s cousin’s son, Anand Rao who was later renamed as Damodar. Maharaja died due to an illness in 1853, and Rani Lakshmibai was only 18-year-old at that time. As courageous she always was, Rani Lakshmibai took over her responsibilities as the Queen of Jhansi. After the King’s demise, Britishers planned to annex Jhansi with treachery. But Rani Lakshmibai revolted against them with the help of other Indian rebellion leaders. The Englishmen were surprised seeing her extraordinary fighting spirit and grit in battles fought in Jhansi, then Kalpi and finally at Gwalior. Her energetic attitude inspired many generations of freedom fighters in India, thus becoming immortal in history.

Here are some of the interesting facts about Rani Lakshmi Bai’s life:

The exact date of birth of Rani Lakshmibai is not known but it is believed she was born as Manikarnika Tambe in a Maratha family in Varanasi on November 19, 1828.

• She was affectionately called as Manu while growing up and lost her mother at the age of 4.

• She was educated at home and excelled in horse riding, shooting and fencing.

• Rani Lakshmibai was married at a very young age of 14 to the ruler of Jhansi – Gangadhar Rao.

• Post her marriage, Manikarnika Tambe was named as Laxmibai after the Hindu goddess of wealth and prosperity.

• She gave birth to a boy named Damodar Rao in 1851 but he died just 4 months later.

• Rani Lakshmibai and Gangadhar Rao adopted their cousin’s son Anand Rao and renamed him as Damodar Rao.

• After the death of the King of Jhansi – Damodar Rao in 1853, Lord Dalhousie sought to annex the kingdom on pretext of the Doctrine of Lapse which forbids the British to acknowledge adopted heirs. Remembering The Brave Queen of Jhansi Who Embraced Martyrdom For Motherland.

• Rani Lakshmibai fought against Sir Hugh Rose and his army for two weeks when they came to capture her fort. She was defeated and had to escape to Kalpi with her son despite a valiant fight.

Related