Rani of Jhansi: Difference between revisions

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2023}}

| reign        = 1843 – 21 November 1853

| reign2      = 21 November 1853 – 1858

| birth_place  = [[Varanasi|Benares]], [[Banaras State|Kingdom of Kashi-Benares]]

| death_place  = [[Gwalior]], [[Gwalior State]], [[Company rule in India|Company India]]

| father      = Moropant Tambe

'''Rani Lakshmibai''', the '''Rani of Jhansi''' ({{audio|Laxmi bai.ogg|pronunciation}}; 19 November 1828<!-- Please do not add birth year 1835 as historians no longer accept it as correct; see cited sources and discussion on Talk page --> — 18 June 1858),<ref>[[Karl E. Meyer|Meyer, Karl E.]] & [[Shareen Blair Brysac|Brysac, Shareen Blair]] (1999) ''Tournament of Shadows''. Washington, DC: Counterpoint; p. 138 – "Known to history as Lakshmi Bai, she was possibly only twelve in 1842 when she married the aging and infirm Rajah of Jhansi ..."</ref><ref name="ReferenceA">Though the day of the month is regarded as certain historians disagree about the year: among those suggested are 1827 and 1835.</ref> was the [[Maharaja|Maharani]] consort of the princely state of [[Jhansi State|Jhansi]] in [[Maratha Empire]] from 1843 to 1853 by marriage to [[Gangadhar Rao|Maharaja Gangadhar Rao Newalkar]]. She was one of the leading figures in the [[Indian Rebellion of 1857]], who became a national hero and symbol of resistance to the [[Company rule in India|British rule in India]] for Indian nationalists.

 

Born into a [[Marathi people|Marathi]] [[Karhade Brahmin]] family in [[Varanasi|Benares]], Lakshmibai married the Maharaja of Jhansi, Gangadhar Rao, in 1842. When the Maharaja died in 1853, the [[East India Company|British East India Company]] under Governor-General [[James Broun-Ramsay, 1st Marquess of Dalhousie|Lord Dalhousie]] refused to recognize the claim of his adopted heir and annexed Jhansi under the [[Doctrine of Lapse]]. The Rani was unwilling to cede control joined the rebellion against the British in 1857. She led the successful defence of Jhansi against Company allies, but in early 1858 Jhansi fell to British forces under the command of [[Hugh Rose, 1st Baron Strathnairn|Hugh Rose]]. The Rani managed to escape on horseback and joined the rebels in capturing [[Gwalior State|Gwalior]], where they proclaimed [[Nana Saheb Peshwa II|Nana Saheb]] as [[Peshwa]] of the revived [[Maratha Empire]]. She died in June 1858 after being mortally wounded during the British counterattack at Gwalior.

Rani Lakshmibai (or Rani Lakshmi Bai) was born on 19 November 1828<ref name=" Reference A name=Meyer, Karl E. 1999 p. 138">Meyer, Karl E. & Brysac, Shareen

Blair 1999) ''[[Great Game|Tournament of Shadows]]''. Washington, DC: Counterpoint; p. 138 – "Known to history as Lakshmi Bai, she was possibly only twelve in 1842 when she married the aging and infirm Rajah of Jhansi ..."</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Copsey|first1=Allen|title=When was she born?|url=http://www.copsey-family.org/~allenc/lakshmibai/qanda.html#id2247378|website=Lakshmibai, Rani of Jhansi|access-date=28 June 2014}}</ref> (some sources say 1835)<ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref>{{cite web |title=Lakshmi Bai |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Lakshmi-Bai |publisher=Encyclopædia Britannica |access-date=18 June 2022 |language=en}}</ref><ref>The 177th anniversary of the Rani's birth according to the Hindu calendar was celebrated at Varanasi in November 2012: {{cite news|url=http://article.wn.com/view/2012/11/13/Lakshmi_Bai_birth_anniversary_celebrated/|title=Lakshmi Bai birth anniversary celebrated|date=13 November 2012|work=[[The Times of India]]|publisher=World News|access-date=6 December 2012}}</ref> in the town of [[Varanasi|Benares]] (now Varanasi) into a [[Maratha people|Marathi]] [[Karhade Brahmin]] family.<ref>{{cite book| title= Women Against the Raj: The Rani of Jhansi Regiment| first= Joyce| last= Lebra|year=2008|publisher=Institute of South Asian Studies, Singapore|quote=Myth and history intertwine closely in the life of the Rani of Jhansi, known in childhood as Manu...She was born in the holy city of Varanasi to a Karhada brahmin, Moropant Tambe|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fuw1Wt1-O7EC&pg=PA2|page=2| isbn= 978-9812308092}}</ref> She was named Manikarnika Tambe and was nicknamed Manu.<ref>{{cite web|first=Allen |last=Copsey |url=http://www.copsey-family.org/~allenc/lakshmibai/early.html |title=Lakshmibai, Rani of Jhansi – Early Life |publisher=Copsey-family.org |date=23 September 2005 |access-date=7 July 2012}} (gives date of birth as 19 November 1835)</ref> Her father was Moropant Tambe<ref>Edwardes (1975), p. 115</ref> and her mother Bhagirathi Sapre (Bhagirathi Bai). Her parents came from the Tambe village of the Guhagar taluka located in the Ratnagiri district of  [[Maharashtra]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84026749/1922-04-16/ed-1/seq-24/|title=The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1902–1939, April 16, 1922, Sunday Morning, Image 24|date=16 April 1922|pages=5|via=chroniclingamerica.loc.gov}}</ref> Her mother died when she was four years old. Her father was a Commander during the war of Kalyanpranth. Her father worked for [[Peshwa]] [[Baji Rao II]] of [[Bithoor district]].<ref>Later in his life Moropant Tambe was a councillor in the court of Jhansi under his daughter's rule; he was executed as a rebel after the capture of the city.{{cite web|url=http://www.copsey-family.org/~allenc/lakshmibai/victims.html|title=Lakshmibai, Rani of Jhansi; Victims|publisher=Allen Copsey|access-date=17 May 2013}}</ref> The Peshwa called her "Chhabili", which means "beautiful " and "lively and cheerful". She was educated at home and was taught to read and write, and was more independent in her childhood than others of her age; her studies included shooting, horsemanship, fencing<ref>David (2002), p. 350</ref><ref>N.B. Tambe and Sapre are clan names; "Bai" or "-bai" is honorific as is "-Ji" the masculine equivalent. A Peshwa in a Maratha state is the chief minister.</ref> and [[mallakhamba]] with her childhood friends [[Nana Sahib]] and [[Tantia Tope]].<ref name=Book1>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=h747vxHZd9wC&q=mallkhamb&pg=PT10|title=Rani Lakshmibai|first=Deepa|last=Agarwal|year= 2009|publisher=Penguin UK|isbn=978-8184758061|via=Google Books}}</ref><ref>David, Saul (2002) ''The Indian Mutiny 1857'', London: Penguin, p. 350</ref>{{dubious|date=June 2019}} Rani Lakshmibai contrasted many of the patriarchal cultural expectations for women in India's society at this time.<ref>[http://www.copsey-family.org/~allenc/lakshmibai/index.html Lakshmibai, Rani of Jhansi]; accessed 15 August 2019</ref> And she was known for her unique perspectives and her courage to fight against social norms even in front of the whole society.

==History of Jhansi, 1842 – May 1857==

Manikarnika was married to the [[Maharaja]] of Jhansi, [[Gangadhar Rao|Gangadhar Rao Newalkar]], in May 1842<ref name="Reference A name=Meyer, Karl E. 1999 p. 138" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.copsey-family.org/~All-encompassing/lakshmibai/timeline.html|title=Lakshmibai, Rani of Jhansi; Timeline|access-date=3 June 2015}}</ref> and was afterwards called Lakshmibai (or Laxmibai) in honour of the Hindu goddess [[Lakshmi|Devi Lakshmi]] and according to the Maharashtrian tradition of women being given a new name after marriage. In September 1851, she gave birth to a boy, later named Damodar Rao, who died four months after birth due to a chronic illness. The Maharaja adopted a child called Anand Rao, the son of Gangadhar Rao's cousin, who was renamed [[Damodar Rao of Jhansi|Damodar Rao]], on the day before the Maharaja died.<ref>{{Cite web |date=21 July 2017 |title=Who is Manikarnika? |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/who-is/who-is-manikarnika-4760894/ |access-date=22 November 2022 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> The adoption was in the presence of the British political officer who was given a letter from the Maharaja instructing that the child be treated with respect and that the government of Jhansi should be given to his widow for her lifetime.

After the death of the Maharaja in November 1853, because Damodar Rao (born Anand Rao) was an adopted son, the [[British East India Company]], under Governor-General [[James Broun-Ramsay, 1st Marquess of Dalhousie|Lord Dalhousie]], applied the [[Doctrine of Lapse]], rejecting Damodar Rao's claim to the throne and annexing the state to its territories. When she was informed of this she cried out ''"Main apni Jhansi nahi doongi"'' (I shall not surrender my Jhansi). In March 1854, Rani Lakshmibai was given an annual pension of Rs. 60,000 and ordered to leave the palace and the fort.<ref>Edwardes, Michael (1975) ''Red Year''. London: Sphere Books, pp. 113–114</ref><ref>N.B. Rao only means "prince; the Maharaja was Gangadhar Newalkar of the Newalkar clan"</ref>

According to Vishnu Bhatt Godse, the Rani would exercise at weightlifting, wrestling and [[Steeplechase (horse racing)|steeplechasing]] before breakfast. An intelligent and simply-dressed woman, she ruled in a businesslike manner.<ref>{{cite book | last = Khilnani | first = Sunil | title = Incarnations: India in 50 Lives | publisher = [[Allen Lane]] | location = [[London]] | year = 2016 | isbn = 978-0241208229|page=246 }}</ref>

On 10 May 1857, the [[Indian Rebellion of 1857|Indian Rebellion]] started in [[Meerut]]. When news of the rebellion reached Jhansi, the Rani asked the British political officer, Captain Alexander Skene, for permission to raise a body of armed men for her own protection; Skene agreed to this.<ref>Edwardes, Michael (1975) ''Red Year''. London: Sphere Books, p. 115</ref> The city was relatively calm in the midst of the regional unrest in the summer of 1857, but the Rani conducted a [[Haldi Kumkum]] ceremony with pomp in front of all the women of Jhansi to provide assurance to her subjects, and to convince them that the British were cowards and not to be afraid of them.<ref name="Jones2000">{{cite book|first=David E.|last=Jones|title=Women Warriors: A History|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AEF6t0wDRKQC|year= 2000|publisher=Potomac Books Incorporated|isbn=978-1-57488-206-3|page=46}}</ref><ref>Vishnubhat Godse ''Maja Pravas''</ref>

Until this point, Lakshmi Bai was reluctant to rebel against the British. In June 1857, rebels of the 12th [[Bengal Native Infantry]] seized the Star Fort of Jhansi, containing the treasure and magazine,<ref>Edwardes (1975), pp. 115–116</ref> and after persuading the British to lay down their arms by promising them no harm, broke their word and massacred 40 to 60 European officers of the garrison along with their wives and children. The Rani's involvement in this massacre is still a subject of debate.<ref>David, Saul (2002) ''The Indian Mutiny 1857'', London: Penguin, p. 368</ref><ref>"One Indian source [Vishnubhat Godse] alleges that the day before the sepoys mutinied, Skene went to the Rani and asked her to 'take charge of the state'. But there is no supporting evidence. Nor is there any real basis for the assertion that she was involved in conspiracy with the sepoys before they mutinied." – Edwardes ''Red Year'', p. 115</ref> An army doctor, Thomas Lowe, wrote after the rebellion characterising her as the "[[Jezebel]] of India ... the young rani upon whose head rested the blood of the slain".<ref>Lowe, Thomas (1860) ''Central India during the Rebellion'', cited in Edwardes, Michael (1975) ''Red Year''. London: Sphere Books, p. 117</ref>

Four days after the massacre the sepoys left Jhansi, having obtained a large sum of money from the Rani, and having threatened to blow up the palace where she lived. Following this, as the only source of authority in the city the Rani felt obliged to assume the administration and wrote to Major Erskine, commissioner of the [[Saugor and Nerbudda Territories|Saugor division]] explaining the events which had led her to do so.<ref>Edwardes, Michael (1975) ''Red Year''. London: Sphere Books, p. 118</ref> On 2 July, Erskine wrote in reply, requesting her to "manage the District for the British Government" until the arrival of a British Superintendent.<ref name="Edwardes, Michael 1975 p. 119">Edwardes, Michael (1975) ''Red Year''. London: Sphere Books, p. 119</ref> The Rani's forces defeated an attempt by the mutineers to assert the claim to the throne of a rival prince Sadashiv Rao (nephew of Maharaja Gangadhar Rao) who was captured and imprisoned.

The leaders (the Rani of Jhansi, Tatya Tope, the Nawab of [[Banda (state)|Banda]], and Rao Sahib) fled once more. They came to Gwalior and joined the Indian forces who now held the city (Maharaja Scindia having fled to Agra from the battlefield at Morar). They moved on to [[Gwalior state|Gwalior]] intending to occupy the strategic [[Gwalior Fort]] and the rebel forces occupied the city without opposition. The rebels proclaimed [[Nana Sahib]] as [[Peshwa]] of a revived Maratha dominion with Rao Sahib as his governor (subedar) in Gwalior. The Rani was unsuccessful in trying to persuade the other rebel leaders to prepare to defend Gwalior against a British attack which she expected would come soon. General Rose's forces took [[Morar Cantonment|Morar]] on 16 June and then made a successful attack on the city.<ref>Edwardes, Michael (1975) ''Red Year''. London: Sphere Books, pp. 124–25</ref>

On 17 June in Kotah-ki-Serai near the [[Gwalior Fort|Phool Bagh]] of Gwalior, a squadron of the [[8th King's Royal Irish Hussars|8th (King's Royal Irish) Hussars]], under [[Clement Walker Heneage|Captain Heneage]], fought the large Indian force commanded by Rani Lakshmibai, who was trying to leave the area. The 8th Hussars charged into the Indian force, slaughtering 5,000 Indian soldiers, including any Indian "over the age of 16".<ref>Gold, Claudia, (2015) ''Women Who Ruled: History's 50 Most Remarkable Women'' {{ISBN|978-1784290863}} p. 253</ref> They took two guns and continued 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 recognised the soldier and fired at him with a pistol, whereupon he "dispatched the young lady with his carbine".<ref>David (2006), pp. 351–362</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Allen |last=Copsey |url=http://www.copsey-family.org/~allenc/lakshmibai/smith-gwalior.html |title=Brigadier M W Smith Jun 25th 1858 to Gen. Hugh Rose |publisher=Copsey-family.org |access-date=7 July 2012}}</ref> 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.

London, 1878–

in [[Thiruvananthapuram]], [[Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College]] in [[Jhansi]] are named after her. [[Rani Lakshmi Bai Central Agricultural University]] in Jhansi was founded in 2013. The [[Rani Jhansi Marine National Park]] is located in the [[Andaman and Nicobar Islands]] in the [[Bay of Bengal]].

=== Rani of Jhansi Regiment ===

A women's unit of the [[Indian National Army]] was named the [[Rani of Jhansi Regiment]]. In 1957 two postage stamps were issued to commemorate the centenary of the rebellion.  Indian representations in novels, poetry, and film tend towards an uncomplicated valorization of Rani Lakshmibai as an individual solely devoted to the cause of Indian independence.<ref>The Rani of Jhansi: Gender, History, and Fable in India (Harleen Singh, Cambridge University Press, 2014)</ref>

The regiment was led by Captain Lakshmi Swaminathan, who was a doctor and a member of the Indian National Army. Under her leadership, the regiment fought bravely against the British forces and played a significant role in the Indian independence movement.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gupta |first=Ateendriya |date=7 March 2020 |title=Women in command: Remembering the Rani of Jhansi Regiment |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/society/history-and-culture/women-in-command-remembering-the-rani-of-jhansi-regiment/article30999665.ece |access-date=9 March 2023 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

A number of patriotic songs have been written about the Rani. The most famous composition about Rani Lakshmi Bai is the [[Hindi]] poem ''Jhansi ki Rani'' written by [[Subhadra Kumari Chauhan]]. An emotionally charged description of the life of Rani Lakshmibai, it is often taught in schools in India.<ref>{{cite web|title=Poems of Bundelkhand|url=http://www.bundelkhand.in/POEM/khoob-ladi-mardani-woh-to-jhansi-wali-rani-thi|website=www.bundelkhand.in|publisher=Bundelkhand.In|access-date=27 June 2017}}</ref> A popular stanza from it reads:

Translation: “From the Bundele Harbolas’ mouths we heard stories / She fought like a man, she was the Rani of Jhansi.”<ref>{{Cite book |last=चौहान |first=सुभद्रा कुमारी |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CdWbBQAAQBAJ |title=मुकुल तथा अन्य कविताएं (Hindi Poetry): Mukul Tatha Anya Kavitayein (Hindi Poetry) |last2=Chauhan |first2=Subhadra Kumari |date=2014 |publisher=Bhartiya Sahitya Inc. |isbn=978-1-61301-461-5 |language=hi}}</ref>

* ''Seeta'': This mutiny novel written by [[Philip Meadows Taylor]] in 1872 shows the admiration of Taylor for the Rani.<ref name="rani jhansi">{{Cite journal|last=Sen|first=Indrani|date=2007|title=Inscribing the Rani of Jhansi in Colonial 'Mutiny' Fiction|journal=Economic and Political Weekly|volume=42|pages=1756}}</ref>

* ''The Rane: A legend of the Indian Mutiny:'' In this novel written by Gillean, a British military officer, in 1887 the Rani is shown as an unscrupulous and cruel woman.<ref name="rani jhansi"/>

* ''The Queen's Desire:'' This novel written by [[Hume Nisbet]] in 1893 focuses on the Rani's sexuality. However, she does not want to use her sexuality to manipulate the British, but she cannot resist a British officer and consequently falls in love with him.<ref name="rani jhansi"/>

* ''Lachmi Bai, Rani of Jhansi: The Jeanne D’Arc of India:'' This novel written by Michael White in 1901 depicts the Rani in a romanticised way.<ref name="rani jhansi"/>

* ''[[Quest for a Throne]]'' by [[Emilio Salgari]] in 1907, a novel of the [[Sandokan]] series. The Rani of Jhansi appears commanding a relief force by the end of the novel, when the protagonists are besieged in the capital of [[Assam]].

* ''[[Nightrunners of Bengal]]'', a 1951 novel in English by [[John Masters]].

* ''[[Flashman in the Great Game]]'' by [[George MacDonald Fraser]](1975), a historical fiction novel about the Indian Revolt describing several meetings between [[Harry Paget Flashman|Flashman]] and the Rani.

* ''Jansi Ki Rani'' or ''[[Jhansi Ki Rani (1953 film)|The Tiger and the Flame]]'' (1953), directed and produced by [[Sohrab Modi]].

* In 1988 Doordarshan serial ''[[Bharat Ek Khoj]]'' produced and directed by [[Shyam Benegal]] also included a full episode on Revolt 1857. The titular role of Rani Lakshmibai was played by noted TV actress [[Ratna Pathak Shah]]

* In 2001 the Hindi historical drama series ''[[1857 Kranti (TV series)|1857 Kranti]]'' telecasted on [[DD National]], the character of [[Rani Laxmibai]] was played by noted actress [[Barkha Madan]].

* In 2005 the Hindi movie ''[[Mangal Pandey: The Rising]]'' directed by [[Ketan Mehta]], the character of Rani Lakshmibai was played by noted actress [[Varsha Usgaonkar]].

* ''[[The Warrior Queen of Jhansi]]'' (2019), a British film starring [[Devika Bhise]] as Rani Lakshmibai.

* ''[[Fate/Grand Order]]'', a mobile turn based RPG based on the popular Fate franchise, Lakshmibai appears as a playable "Servant" in the "Saber" class. Her design is based on that of "Fate" Jeanne D'Arc, in reference to the 1901 novel ''Lachmi Bai, Rani of Jhansi: The Jeanne D’Arc of India'' by Michael White which described her as "The Jeanne D'Arc of India".

* ''[[Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls]]'', a children's book which features short stories about women models to children, includes an entry on the queen.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ramkumar |first1=Anitha |title=Why Good Night Stories For Rebel Girls Is A Must Read For Both Girls and Boys [#BookReview] |url=https://www.womensweb.in/2017/05/good-night-stories-for-rebel-girls-book-review/ |website=Women's Web |language=en |date=16 May 2017}}</ref>

* [[Vishnubhat Godse|Vishnu Bhatt Godse]].''Maza Pravas: 1857 cya Bandaci Hakikat'' (Marathi "My journey: the truth about the 1857 rebellion")

* Meyer, Karl E. & Brysac, Shareen Blair. ''Tournament of Shadows'' Washington D.C.: Counterpoint, 1999; pp.&nbsp;138–145.

* Verma, Janki Sharan ''Amar Balidani''

* ''Zila Vikas Pustika'', 1996–97, Jhansi

* {{cite book |title=Remaking Queen Victoria |editor1-first=Margaret |editor1-last=Homans |editor2-first=Adrienne |editor2-last=Munich |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=1997 |isbn=978-0521574853 |chapter=How we lost the empire: retelling the stories of the Rani of Jhansi and Queen Victoria |first=Maria |last=Jerinic |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yC4n0FfjVB0C&pg=PA123}}

* Jerosch, Rainer (2008). ''The Rani of Jhansi: Rebel Against Will'', Delhi: Aakar Books; {{ISBN|978-8189833145}}.

 

* [https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/14/obituaries/queen-laxmibai-rani-of-jhansi-overlooked.html Overlooked No More: Laxmibai, India's Warrior Queen Who Fought the British]

* [https://blogs.bl.uk/untoldlives/2017/12/the-rani-of-jhansi.html The Rani of Jhansi] in the [[British Library]]