Rani Lakshmi Bai: Iconic Queen of Jhansi & Indian Independence
At the age of 14, she was married to Gangadhar Rao, the Maharaja of Jhansi, and was subsequently named Lakshmi Bai in honor of the Hindu goddess Lakshmi.
She gave birth to a son, Damodar Rao. Unfortunately, the child did not survive and died after four months.
After the death of their first child, the couple adopted Gangadhar Rao's cousin's child, Anand Rao, who was renamed Damodar Rao. Rani Lakshmi Bai and the Maharaja wanted to ensure that Jhansi would have an heir.
Maharaja Gangadhar Rao passed away. Before his death, he appealed to the British officials to recognize his adopted son Damodar Rao as his legitimate heir.
Despite the late Maharaja's appeal, under the policy of Doctrine of Lapse initiated by Lord Dalhousie, the British East India Company annexed the state of Jhansi, refusing to recognize Damodar Rao as the legal heir.
Rani Lakshmi Bai sent a letter to the British Governor-General protesting the annexation. Despite her appeal, the British did not alter their decision, which would be a leading cause of the rebellion in Jhansi.
British forces, under the command of Sir Hugh Rose, besieged Jhansi. Despite being vastly outnumbered, Rani Lakshmi Bai managed to hold off the British for about two weeks before the city fell.
Rani Lakshmi Bai was killed in combat during the Battle of Gwalior. Dressed as a cavalry leader, she fought valiantly but
was eventually overwhelmed by the British forces. Her death marked an end to the resistance in Jhansi but her bravery made her an enduring symbol of resistance against the British Raj.