Indian History is full of the heroic deeds of great heroes and heroines. Rani Laxmi Bai is one of them. She was the most remarkable personality of her age. She was a great freedom fighter. The saga of the brave lady warrior is immortalized in golden letters in history. She sacrificed her life but did not bow down before the English rulers.
This star of heroism was born in a noble family in Benaras. Her father was Moropant Tambe and her mother was Bhagirathi Sapre. They were blessed with a daughter who would be a blazing sword in the hands of Bharat Mata. Her parents named her Manikarnika after the river Ganga. In her childhood, she was called Manu. Her mother died when she was four years old. The Peshwa of Bittor; Bajirao II called her "Chhabili" because of her spirited demeanour. She was fond of horse riding, fencing and Shooting. Her trainer was the Great Tatya Tope. Once she jumped from her own horse and saved the life of Nana Saheb. Physically she was tall, strong, and beautiful. Her father took a keen interest in giving her the best education in every field of life. She was a great patriot, fearless, and brave. Her horses were Sarangi, Pavan & Baadal. She was married to Raja Gangadhar Rao Newalkar, the ruler of Jhansi, and became Maharani Lakshmi Bai of Jhansi. She gave birth to a baby boy who died only after three months. Jhansi under the able rule of Queen Lakshmi Bai soon became a stronghold of revolutionaries of the Independence struggle. This irked British who were eyeing to usurp Jhansi. When Raja Gangadhar Rao died, the English rulers wanted to capture Jhansi, but Rani ruins their plans to capture Jhansi. She fought bravely and defended her state from the Britishers. Rani Lakshmi Bai decided to join the revolutionary forces and began training an army in the state of Gwalior. Her active engagement and strategic prowess inspired everyone. The people of Jhansi were praying for the success of the country. Its temples blessed the soldiers who went to the battlefield and tended to the wounded who returned. The final battle was fought in June, 1858. Rani Lakshmi bai fought fiercely for the motherland, martyring her life for India's freedom. As soon as she was dead, in accordance with her last wish, her body was cremated, unseen by the enemy and untouched by the shackles of slavery. Rani Lakshmi Bai's spirited fight against the enemy of the country left an indelible mark on Indian history. The devotion of the queen towards the motherland awakened the spirit of freedom among thousands of people. She sacrificed her life for the dignity and freedom of her people. No doubt, She was a true queen, great daughter & a brave fighter.
The revolutionary war of 1857 saw one of the strongest all-pervasive resistance to British colonialism. It showed how a common goal of liberation of the motherland can connect people of different class, creed and religion and bring them together to lead a national struggle. This spirit must be rekindled and revered. That would be a true homage to the sacrifices made by Maharani Lakshmi Bai.
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