Project Tiranga

Because of her bravery, courage, and wisdom and her progressive views on women's empowerment in 19th century India, and due to her sacrifices, she became an icon of Indian independence movement. The Rani was memorialized in bronze statues at both Jhansi and Gwalior, both of which portray her in equestrian style.

Rani died on 17 June, 1858 during the battle for Gwalior with 8th Hussars that took place in Kotah-Ki-Serai near Phool Bagh area of Gwalior. She donned warrior's clothes and rode into battle to save Gwalior Fort, about 120 miles west of Lucknow in what is now the state of Madhya Pradesh. The British captured Gwalior three days later. In the report of the battle for Gwalior, General Sir Hugh Rose commented that the Rani "remarkable for her beauty, cleverness and perseverance" had been "the most dangerous of all the rebel leaders".

Although the Rani's forces were small in numbers, the extraordinary courage of the Sirdars and the war strategy and courage of the Rani inflicted defeat on the British army. The day’s victory was due to the Rani. Next day (18th) before sunrise the British war bugle sounded. The pardon proclaimed by Maharajah Jayaji Rao had tempted some soldiers and they had joined the British. Information was also received that two brigades which were under the Rao Saheb had again transferred their allegiance to the British.

Even in Kapli the Rani was busy getting together an army. Hugh Rose laid siege to Kalpi. When defeat was certain, Rao Saheb, Tatia and others fled with the Rani towards Gwalior.They reached Gopalpur and took rest in a grove. During the night Rao Saheb, Tatia and the next morning met the Rani. They had lost the will to fight.

When the British gained the upper hand and Hugh Rose’s army entered Jhansi City, the Rani herself took up arms. She put on the cloths of a man and she fought like the Goddess of War. Whenever she fought the British army bowed down. Her organization of her forces and her fight – worthy of a man – surprised Hugh Rose.

An army under the command of Sir Hugh Rose reached Jhansi. He sent word to the Maharani to come unarmed along with her friends and meet him.But the Rani refused. She replied that she would go to any meeting only with her army.Within a period of ten months (June 1857 to March 1858(after Lakshmi Bai took over the administration of Jhansi from the British, It had improved. The treasury was full. The army was well organized. There was an army of women matching the army of men.

Rani Lakshmi Bai, the fiery Queen of Jhansi, also known as the Rani of Jhansi, one of the great nationalist heroine of the first war of India freedom, a symbol of resistance to the British rule in India was born on 19th November 1835 at Kashi (Presently known as Varanasi). Her father Moropanth was a Brahmin and her mother Bhagirathibai was a cultured, intelligent and God fearing lady. Mannikarnika (Manu) was the name of Rani Lakshmi Bai in her childhood. Manu lost her mother at the age of four. The Complete responsibility of the young girl fell on the father.

Lakshmibai, The Rani of Jhansi , known as Jhansi Rani, was the queen of the Maratha-ruled princely state of Jhansi, was one of the leading figures of the Indian Rebellion of 1857, and a symbol of resistance to British rule in India. She has gone down in history as a legendary figure, as India's "Joan of Arc."