|
Rani Lakshmi Bai, the
fiery Queen of Jhansi, also known as the Rani of Jhansi, one of the
great nationalist heroine of the first war of India freedom, a
symbol of resistance to the British rule in India was born on 19th
November 1835 at Kashi (Presently known as Varanasi). Her father
Moropanth was a Brahmin and her mother Bhagirathibai was a cultured,
intelligent and God fearing lady. Mannikarnika (Manu) was the name
of Rani Lakshmi Bai in her childhood. Manu lost her mother at the
age of four. The Complete responsibility of the young girl fell on
the father. She completed her education and also learned horse
riding, Sword fighting and shooting on a target with a gun.
She was married to Raja
Gangadhar Rao, the Maharaja of Jhansi in 1842, and became the Rani
of Jhansi. After the marriage She was given the name Lakshmi Bai.
The Marriage ceremony was perform in Ganesh Mandir, the temple of
Lord Ganesha situated in the city of Jhansi. Rani Lakshmi Bai gave
birth to a son in 1851, but unfortunately this child died when he
was about four months old. After this tragedy, Damodar Rao was
adopted as son. Later on Maharaja Gangadhar Rao also died on 21st
November 1853. After the death of Maharaja Gangadhar Rao, Rani
Lakshmi Bai was left alone. At this time she was eighteen years old.
Rani Lakshmi Bai did not lost her courage, She always remembered her
responsibility.
At that time Lord
Dalhousie was the Governor -General of India. Though little Damodar
Rao, adopted son of late Maharaja Gangadhar Rao and Rani Lakshmi Bai
was Maharaja's heir and successor as per the Hindu tradition, but
the British rulers rejected Rani's claim that Damodar Rao was their
legal heir. Loard Dalhousie decided to annexe the state of Jhansi as
Maharaja Gangadhar Rao had left no legal heir. This misfortune of
Jhansi was used by the Britishers to expand there Empire.
In March 1854 the
British ruler announced 60,000 ( Sixty Thousand) annual pension for
Rani and also ordered to leave the Jhansi fort. Jhansi was in
humiliating condition but it was like a silent volcano before
eruption.Rani Jhansi was determined not to give up Jhansi. She was a
symbol of patriotism and self respect. Britishers were making every
effort to destroy the freedom of country whereas Rani was determined
to get rid of Britishers.
Rani Lakshmi Bai strengthened the defense of Jhansi and she
assembled a volunteer army of rebellions. Women were also given
Military training. Rani was accompanied by her brave warriors, some
of them were Gulam Gaus Khan, Dost Khan, Khuda Baksh, Lala Bhau
Bakshi, Moti Bai, Sunder-Mundar, Kashi Bai, Deewan Raghunath singh
and Deewan Jawahar Singh. Along with all these warriors the local
population of Jhansi irrespective of their religion or caste were
always determined to fight and give their lives with pleasure for
the cause of Independent and their beloved Rani.
The Britishers attacked
Jhansi in March 1858. Rani Jhansi with her faithful warriors decided
not to surrender. The fighting continued for about two weeks.
Shelling on Jhansi was very fierce. In the Jhansi army women were
also carrying ammunition and were supplying food to the soldiers.
Rani Lakshmi Bai was very active. She herself was inspecting the
defense of the city. However, after this great war, Jhansi fell to
the British forces.
On that black day, the
British army entered the Jhansi City. Rani Lakshmi Bai, still full
of courage and deathless patriotism dressed as a man, took up arms,
her son Damodar Rao was strapped tightly to her back. She was
holding the reins of her horse in her mouth. In the fierce fighting
she was using the sword with both her hands. When the situation was
not in control, Rani of Jhansi with some of her warriors departed
from Jhansi.
Rani Lakshmi Bai reched Kalpi. Many other rebellions force joined
her. Tatia Tope from Kalpi was also one of them, from Kalpi Rani
departed to the Gwalior. Again a fierce battle took place. Rani
Jhansi fought with deathless patriotism and martyrdom. However on
the second day of fighting, the great heroine of the first struggle
for India freedom, at the age of 22 years, lost her life. That
unfortunate day was 18th June of 1858.
|
