As
a young girl her favourite pursuits were horse-riding, archery and
self-defence, not usual hobbies for young ladies, but then Manikarma was not a
regular girl. She was destined to be the queen who would soon show the world
that courage and valour know no gender.
Born
to Marathi parents on November 19, 1835 in Varanasi, her father worked at the
court of the Peshwa of Bithoor. Her mother died when she was four. Thereafter,
the Peshwa treated the young girl like his own daughter and took personal interest
in her upbringing. She was given a liberal education by able tutors who taught
her at home. She was brought up as independent and strong minded young lady
full of self-respect, fit to be a queen. Soon she was married to the Maharaja of
Jhansi, Raja Gangadhar Rao and as was customary, she was given a new name –
Lakshmibai, after the goddess of wealth and fortune. Fate however was inclined
to make her a goddess of war.
In
1851 she gave birth to a son who could not survive and died in infancy.
Meanwhile the Raja’s health was deteriorating rapidly and the physicians
expressed helplessness. He wanted to ensure an heir and a son for his beloved
Rani and a future King for Jansi. He adopted his nephew Damodar Rao
and ensured that a British political officer was present at the adoption to act
as witness so that no succession issues would be raked up by the British later.
His fears were not unfounded. As fate would have it, the very next day he died.
In accordance with the Doctrine of Lapse passed by Lord Dalhousie, adopted
children would not be treated as legitimate heirs and all territories without
heirs would be annexed by the British. Accordingly Jhansi was sent a notice to
hand over the territory to the British and the Rani was given a pension of Rs.
60,000.
The
Rani would have none of it. She wrote to the British reminding them of her
husband’s letter to them just before his death. He had requested that his son be
treated with kindness and Jhansi be given to his widow after him. The actions of the British inflamed her as they
were not only unfair but also an insult to the last wishes of her husband. She
tried through repeated petitions to change the mind of the Company men and make
them see reason. She even offered to ‘hold Jhansi safe’ for them. Her appeals
fell on deaf ears as the Company was focused on profits and things like
legitimacy or fairness were far from their mind. By use of this doctrine, the
Company annexed many states adding four million pound sterling to its annual
revenue. This blinkered policy ultimately became its undoing.
On
seeing the unyielding attitude of the colonisers, the Rani began to strengthen
the defences of Jhansi preparing her people for the oncoming battle. She raised
a volunteer force of men and women, giving them military training and
motivation to fight. She oversaw all war preparations herself. The people were
ready to lay down their lives for their beloved queen and their motherland
Jhansi. Lakshmibai’s courage, competence and strength of character inspired the
absolute loyalty of her generals who were all courageous and capable warriors.
She led them in battle and they followed her till the end.
The
British attacked Jhansi in March 1858. An impressive resistance was put up and
the attackers were kept out for two weeks despite heavy shelling. The odds were
not even and the inevitable happened. The British troops broke through the
defences and entered Jhansi. Surrounded on all sides, the Rani strapped her
infant child on her back and rode out on her favourite horse Badal, slashing
and fighting her way through the baffled Red-coats, surrounded by her faithful
commanders. They rode out relentlessly and finally reached Kalpi where they
joined forces with Tantia Tope and other rebels. She fought shoulder to
shoulder with the rebels and was awe-inspiring. On the second day of battle,
the 23 year old Rani lay down her life on the battle field. Sir Hugh Rose, the
commander who captured Jhansi paid a rich tribute to the admirable Rani when he
said “Here lay the woman who was the only man among the rebels.” She was the
most outstanding leader of the revolt and a shining example of successful women
leaders in the history of the world.
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