Lakshmibai of Jhansi
Lakshmibai, Rani of Jhansi
6 min read
Queen of the kingdom of Jhansi, in northern India, Lakshmibai became one of the leading figures of the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857 against the British East India Company. Refusing the annexation of her state, she took up arms and died in battle, becoming a national symbol of Indian resistance.
Frequently asked questions
Key Facts
- Born around 1828 in Varanasi (Benares) under the name Manikarnika Tambe.
- Becomes Rani (queen) of Jhansi through her marriage to the maharaja Gangadhar Rao.
- In 1854, the British annexed Jhansi by applying the “doctrine of lapse” after the death of her husband.
- In 1857-1858, she took charge of the defense of Jhansi during the Sepoy Mutiny.
- Died in battle on 17 or 18 June 1858 near Gwalior, at about 29 years old.
Works & Achievements
After the massacre of the British garrison, she administers the city, raises troops and organizes its defense.
She recruits and trains soldiers, cavalrymen and gunners, including women, to resist the Company.
She leads the fortress's resistance against General Hugh Rose's army for nearly two weeks.
A legendary feat: under cover of night she breaks through enemy lines on horseback to join the rebels at Kalpi.
With Tatya Tope and Rao Sahib, she seizes the mighty stronghold of Gwalior, the last major rebel success.
Her death in battle makes her a lasting icon of nationalism and of India's struggle for independence.
Anecdotes
Born Manikarnika and nicknamed “Manu,” the future queen grew up at the Peshwa's court in Bithur where, it is said, she learned horseback riding, fencing, and shooting — activities rare for a girl of her time. This warrior upbringing forged the fighter she would become.
When her husband the maharaja died without a blood heir, the British applied the “doctrine of lapse” and refused to recognize her adopted son Damodar Rao. She is reported to have cried out, “I shall not surrender my Jhansi!” and refused the pension she was offered to give up power.
During the capture of Jhansi by General Hugh Rose in April 1858, legend has it that the rani fled by night on horseback, her adopted son tied to her back with a shawl, leaping the walls of the fortress to join the rebels at Kalpi.
She died weapon in hand near Gwalior in June 1858, dressed as a cavalryman. Her British adversary Hugh Rose himself described her as “the most dangerous of all the rebel leaders,” acknowledging her courage.
Half a century after her death, the poet Subhadra Kumari Chauhan devoted a famous poem to her, “Jhansi ki Rani,” learned by heart by generations of Indian schoolchildren, which made her a heroine of the struggle for independence.
Primary Sources
The Rani of Jhansi, through her personal courage and energy, was the soul of the revolt; she was regarded as the best and bravest of the rebel leaders.
Dressed as a cavalryman, sword in hand, she fought to the death on the battlefield of Gwalior.
She proudly refused the annexation of her state and declared that she would never give up her Jhansi as long as she lived.
Key Places
Holy city on the banks of the Ganges where Manikarnika, the future rani of Jhansi, was born.
Citadel and capital of her kingdom, which she governed and defended against the British siege of 1858.
Town on the Yamuna where the rani took refuge after the fall of Jhansi to join the rebel forces of Tatya Tope.
Great fortress captured by the rebels; it was near here, at Kotah-ki-Serai, that Lakshmibai met her death in battle.
Near Kanpur, court of the Peshwa Baji Rao II where Manu spent part of her childhood and received a warrior's education.
