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Birth
Manikarnika (later laxmibai) was born on November 19,1828 in Varanasi,India .At the age of 7, she moved to the Maratha kingdom of Jhansi.She was known for her intelligence, bravery, and strong will. -
Marriage and Becoming Queen of Jhansi
She married Raja Gangadhar Rao, the King of Jhansi, at the age of 14. She took the name Lakshmibai after her marriage, meaning "Goddess of Wealth." Lakshmibai gave birth to a son, but the child died shortly after birth later adopted a child named Damodar Rao as his heir. -
Death of King Gangadhar Rao
After the death of King Gangadhar Rao in November 1853, Lakshmibai was left a widow. The British, led by Lord Dalhousie, refused to recognize the adopted son, Damodar Rao, as the legitimate heir to the throne of Jhansi. -
Indian Rebellion (First War of Indian Independence)
Revolt against British rule began across India, with a large portion of the Indian Army in the East India Company rising up against their British officers.
The mutiny reached Jhansi, and the city was increasingly caught in the political and military unrest surrounding the rebellion.Lakshmibai initially tried to secure an amicable relationship with the British but was eventually drawn into the revolt -
Rani Lakshmibai's Role in the Rebellion
Rani Lakshmibai led the forces of Jhansi she gathered an army of rebels, including soldiers, peasants, and other supporters, and worked to fortify the fort of Jhansi. The British began their siege on Jhansi, and after months of fierce resistance, the fort was surrounded, and the British launched a full-scale attack. -
The Siege of Jhansi
The British forces, under General Hugh Rose, laid siege to Jhansi. Lakshmibai led her soldiers in defending the fort, fighting valiantly with her troops. She is known for her bravery during the siege, riding on horseback and wielding a sword. After weeks of heavy fighting and with her army exhausted she decided to seek refuge in the nearby town of Kalpi, continuing to fight the British. -
The Final Battle and Death
During the Battle of Gwalior, the British army, led by General Hugh Rose, launched a decisive attack on the fort. The rebels, were defeated by the British forces. After the defeat, Lakshmibai tried to escape the battlefield with her loyal soldiers. She was mortally wounded while attempting to cross the river on horseback. She is said to have died while still leading the charge against the British.