Rani Lakshmibai

Rani Lakshmibai was born Manikarnika Tambe on November 19, 1828, in Varanasi to Moropant Tambe and Bhagirathi Sapre, receiving a tomboyish upbringing with training in horse-riding, sword-fighting, archery, and martial arts under Dhyan Singh and others. Nicknamed Manu, she married Maharaja Gangadhar Rao Newalkar of Jhansi in 1842 at age 14, adopting the name Lakshmibai and giving birth to a son who died in infancy. After her husband's death in 1853, she adopted Damodar Rao, but British Governor-General Lord Dalhousie invoked the Doctrine of Lapse to annex Jhansi, denying the adoption and offering her a pension she rejected, famously declaring "Meri Jhansi nahin dungi" (I will not give my Jhansi).​

Resistance and the 1857 Revolt

When the Indian Rebellion erupted in Meerut in May 1857, rebels seized Jhansi Fort, massacring Europeans; Lakshmibai proclaimed herself regent for Damodar Rao, restoring order and suppressing initial mutiny before aligning with the uprising. British forces under Sir Hugh Rose besieged Jhansi in March 1858; she fortified defenses, led troops personally in male attire, and held out for two weeks despite being outnumbered, organizing innovative strategies and inspiring soldiers with speeches. After Jhansi fell on April 3, she escaped at night on horseback with Damodar Rao tied to her back, accompanied by warriors like Ghulam Ghaus Khan, reaching Kalpi to join Tantia Tope and Rao Sahib.​

Battles at Kalpi and Gwalior

At Kalpi in May 1858, Lakshmibai's forces defeated British attacks twice, showcasing tactical brilliance with cavalry charges. She then captured Gwalior Fort in June, a major blow to British prestige, allying with rebel leaders and rallying troops with cries of swaraj. On June 18, during the Battle of Gwalior, she led a fierce assault on British positions near Kotah-ki-Serai; wounded by bullets and sabers while fighting dismounted, she urged her soldiers to continue before succumbing at age 29, her body cremated per Hindu rites.​

Administration and Personal Traits

As regent, Lakshmibai governed justly, promoting welfare, training a mixed-gender army, and maintaining religious tolerance despite her devotion to Hinduism. Her physical prowess—riding bareback, wielding weapons—combined with compassion for subjects made her a beloved leader.​

Legacy

Rani Lakshmibai's defiance galvanized the 1857 Revolt, inspiring future nationalists like Subhas Chandra Bose; statues, poems (Subhadra Kumari Chauhan's "Khoob ladi mardani woh toh Jhansi wali Rani thi"), and her image on coins symbolize female valor. For Veergatha, she fits as a female warrior in freedom fighters' biographies, aligning with user's content on Indian heroes.​

Major Achievements of Rani Lakshmibai

1. Defied Doctrine of Lapse, rejecting British pension to rule Jhansi as regent.​
2. Fortified and defended Jhansi Fort for two weeks against Sir Hugh Rose in 1858.​
3. Led victories at Kalpi (May 1858) with daring cavalry tactics.​
4. Captured strategic Gwalior Fort, boosting rebel morale.​
5. Trained and commanded inclusive army, symbolizing women's leadership in revolt.​
6. Inspired nationwide resistance through personal bravery and iconic escapes.