Queen of Jhansi - Rani Lakshmi Bai #BlogchatterA2Z

We all know about Rani Laxmi Bai . She fought and led the rebellion of 1857 against the British.

But in this post I will be telling you about her life story - from her childhood to her struggle.

She was born in Varanasi on 19 November 1828. Her real name was Manikarnika Tambe , nicknamed Manu. 

She was given education at home and was easily able to read and write. Her education also included shooting , horsemanship and Mallakhamba (A sport in which gymnasts perform aerial yoga postures) and fencing (Talvarbaji). She used to do much more than the other children of her age.

Unfortunately her mother died when she was 4.

Now you must be wondering how did her name change from Manikarnika to Rani Lakshmibai . Right ?

Manu was married to the king of Jhansi - Gangadhar Rao Newalkar. She was later called Lakshmibai in honour of the Hindu godess Lakshmi.

In 1851 , she gave birth to her son Damodar Rao who died just 4 moths later.

The maharaja (Gangadhar Rao Newalkar) adopted the son of his cousin . His name was Anand Rao but after adoption he was renamed as Damodar Rao Newalkar.

Just one day after the adoption , Maharaja Gangadhar Rao died and the british applied an annexation policy that rejected Damodar Rao's ruling power.

Hearing this news Rani Lakshmibai yelled "Main apni Jhansi nahi doongi".

Later , Lakshmibai took over the control and fought many battles .

On 17 June 1858 , during a war near Phool Bagh in Gwalior , she put on a soldier's uniform and attacked one of his enemies.

She was wounded by one of his enemy's sabre (a heavy cavalry sword with a curved blade and a single cutting edge).

She sat down bleeding heavily and noticed the soldier . She fired him and soon after he dispatched the young lady with his carbine.

Not wanting the Britishers to capture her body , some local people cremated it a few hours after the death .

She was a very courageous mother and a great warrior .