The Warrior Queen of Jhansi
A fearless leader who fought for her kingdom and her people.
“I will not give up my Jhansi!”
Rani Lakshmibai, born Manikarnika, was the courageous queen of the princely state of Jhansi. Her defiant vow to never surrender her kingdom to the British became a rallying cry for the Indian Rebellion of 1857, where she emerged as one of the most prominent leaders of the uprising.
1857
The Year of the
Great Rebellion
19
Years Old
at the time of the Revolt
A Life of Courage: A Timeline
1828: Early Life
Born Manikarnika in Varanasi, she was trained in martial arts, swordsmanship, and horse riding from a young age.
1842: Queen of Jhansi
She married the Maharaja of Jhansi, Gangadhar Rao Newalkar, and was given the name Rani Lakshmibai.
1853: The Doctrine of Lapse
After her husband’s death, the British East India Company, under the Doctrine of Lapse, refused to recognize her adopted son as the rightful heir and annexed Jhansi.
1857-58: The Great Revolt
Lakshmibai courageously led her troops in the defense of Jhansi, and after its fall, she fought alongside Tatya Tope and other rebels, becoming a beacon of hope for the freedom fighters.