Queen of Jhansi – Lakshmi Bai

Queen of Jhansi – Lakshmi Bai

    The brave Queen of Jhansi, Lakshmi Bai’s 181st birthday is celebrated today (19th November 2011). Born on 19th November 1835, the young woman was considered to be the heroine of the first war of Indian Freedom fight. She is one of the marvelous examples of Indian bravery, and is still greatly praised for her extreme courage in the war fields. 
 
    She was named Manikarnika by her parents, and was renamed as Lakshmi Bai after she got married to the King of Jhansi, Raja Gangadhar Rao Newalkar. Though she was crowned as the Queen of Jhansi at the age of seven, the spirited lady faced lot of hardships in her life. Her tutor Tatya Tope gave her excellent training in self defence, horsemanship and archery. She attained motherhood at the age of 16. But unfortunately, her son Damodar Rao died when he was just four months old. Then the couple adopted a child named Anand Rao and renamed him Damodar Rao in rememberance of their lost son. In spite of it, the Raja expired at 1853, unable to revive from the son’s death. The British Government refused to accept the adopted child as the legal heir for the throne and hence Lord Dalhousie of the East India Company decided to buy the empire. They came forth to pay Rs. 60,000 as a pension to the 18-year old young widow and ordered her to leave the fort. But the brave lady firmly stated that she will never surrender her kingdom to the British. As a result, she was cunningly defeated at a battle with them at 1857. 

     She escaped with her only son and with some of her women guards, collected more rebel forces and attacked Gwalior with more confidence. She defeated the King of Gwalior and occupied the fort. But however, she was again attacked by the British forces at 1858. Fighting furiously at the battle field, the bold lady lost her soul on 17th June 1858, when she was just 23.
 
    Apart from her bravery, she was a light hearted woman ready to help the needy at any time. She was a beautiful radiant young woman well skilled in swordmanship and shooting too. The Raja married her attracted by her beauty, bravery and her helping heart. She was so spiritual too, never missing her meditation and prayers, fond of Ramayan and she usually muttered Bhagavad Gita even at the boiling battle fields.
 
    Greatly inspired by the woman of confidence, News Chips proudly dedicates this post to the great Indian warrior, well remembered for her bravery for ages to come. She is a marvel in Indian History.