The Queen - Lakshmibai, Rani of Jhansi

Originally named Manikarnika at birth (nicknamed Manu), she was born on 19 November 1828 at Kashi (Varanasi) to a Maharashtrian brahman family Moropant Tambe and Bhagirathibai Tambe. She was also known as Chulbuli because of her jolly ways & beauty. She lost her mother at the age of four. She was educated at home. 

An Old Haveli : the House in Which Laxmibai, Rani of Jhansi was Born

Her father Moropant Tambe worked at the court of Peshwa at Bithur and then travelled to the court of Raja Bal Gangadhar Rao Newalkar, the Maharaja of Jhansi, when Manu was thirteen years old. 

Samadhi of Raja Gangadhar Rao ( Image : Atul Gaur )

She was married to Gangadhar Rao, the Raja of Jhansi, at the age of fourteen and was given the new name 'Lakshmi Bai'. Because of her father's influence at court, Rani Lakshmi Bai had more independence than most women, who were normally restricted to the zenana: She studied self defence, horsemanship, archery, and even formed her own army out of her female friends at court.

Rani Lakshmi Bai gave birth to a son in 1851, however this child died when he was about four months old. After the death of their son, the Raja and Rani of Jhansi adopted Anand Rao. However, it is said that her husband the Raja never recovered from his son's death, and he died on 21 November 1853 of a broken heart.

Rani Lakshmibai was accustomed to riding on horseback accompanied by a small escort between the palace and the temple although sometimes she was carried by palanquin. 

Image : magictravels

Her horses included Sarangi, Pavan and Badal; according to tradition she rode Badal when escaping from the fort in 1858.

The Rani Mahal, the palace of Rani Lakshmibai, has now been converted into a museum. It houses a collection of archaeological remains of the period between the 9th and 12th centuries AD.

Samadhi of Rani at Gwalior 

On 17 June in Kotah-ki-Serai  near the Phool Bagh of Gwalior, a squadron of the 8th (King's Royal Irish) Hussars, under Captain Heneage, fought the large Indian force commanded by Rani Lakshmibai which was trying to leave the area. The 8th Hussars charged into the Indian force, killing many Indian soldiers, taking two guns and continuing the charge right through the Phool Bagh encampment. In this engagement, according to an eyewitness account, Rani Lakshmibai put on a sowar's uniform and attacked one of the hussars; she was unhorsed and also wounded, probably by his sabre. Shortly afterwards, as she sat bleeding by the roadside, she recognized the soldier and fired at him with a pistol, whereupon he "dispatched the young lady with his carbine". According to another tradition Rani Lakshmibai, the Queen of Jhansi, dressed as a cavalry leader, was badly wounded; not wishing the British to capture her body, she told a hermit to burn it. After her death a few local people cremated her body.

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Thanks to copsey family for the excellent work on Jhansi Ki Rani.. the best so far by all means.