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– Birth of Rani Lakshmibai
• Rani Lakshmibai was born as Manikarnika Tambe in Varanasi (Kashi), India, into a Brahmin family.
• She was later nicknamed Manu in her childhood. -
– Marriage to Raja Gangadhar Rao of Jhansi
• At the age of 14, Manikarnika married Raja Gangadhar Rao of Jhansi, who was the king of the princely state of Jhansi.
• She was given the name Lakshmibai after marriage, symbolizing prosperity and good fortune. This union marked the beginning of her life as the queen of Jhansi. -
– Birth of Lakshmibai’s Son
• In 1851, Rani Lakshmibai gave birth to a son, Damodar Rao, who became her heir.
• However, the child tragically died at a young age, leaving the succession of the throne uncertain. -
– Death of Raja Gangadhar Rao
• Raja Gangadhar Rao died unexpectedly, leaving the throne of Jhansi without a male heir. Rani Lakshmibai adopted a child, Damodar Rao, and petitioned to make him the heir to the throne.
• However, the British East India Company refused to recognize Damodar Rao as the legitimate heir, citing the Doctrine of Lapse as the basis for annexing Jhansi. -
– British Annexation Plans
• The British try to annex Jhansi under the Doctrine of Lapse, denying her adopted son’s claim to the throne. -
– The Indian Rebellion of 1857 (First War of Indian Independence)
• On May 10, 1857, the Indian Rebellion began, with Indian soldiers rising against
British rule.
• Rani Lakshmibai emerged as a key leader, rallying troops in Jhansi to resist British forces. -
– Siege of Jhansi
• March 1858: British forces under Sir Hugh Rose laid siege to the Jhansi Fort in an attempt to capture it from Rani Lakshmibai.
• Despite being heavily outnumbered, Rani Lakshmibai led the defense of the fort with extraordinary bravery and military strategy. -
– The Fall of Jhansi
• After weeks of heavy fighting, the British forces succeeded in breaching the walls of Jhansi Fort in April 1858. Rani Lakshmibai and her troops, however, continued to resist with fierce determination.
• Facing inevitable defeat, Rani Lakshmibai managed a courageous escape from Jhansi, along with her adopted son and loyal followers, moving to Gwalior to continue her fight against the British. -
– The Battle of Gwalior
• June 1858: Rani Lakshmibai joined forces with Tatya Tope and Nana Saheb at Gwalior, where they prepared to resist the advancing British forces.
• The Battle of Gwalior ended in defeat for the Indian rebels, but Rani Lakshmibai’s courage became legendary. -
– Death of Rani Lakshmibai
• On June 18, 1858, Rani Lakshmibai was fatally wounded in battle near Gwalior while attempting to escape British forces.
• Her death marked the end of the Indian Rebellion of 1857, and her last words were a cry for vengeance against the British.