Enroute to my workplace, it is this beautiful black equestrian statue of Rani Laxmi Bai that I pass everyday. So today, I want to share a picture of that statue with you and a small snapshot of her life.
She walked this earth in the 19th Century and was the queen of Jhansi. At that point of time, India was under British control.
Active then was the Doctrine of Lapse that Lord Dalhousie had put into place. That doctrine stated that if a princely state remained without a direct heir, the British had the right to annex the estate. The doctrine deprived the royal family of its inheritance and left the remaining heirs to a meager pension from the British.
The Rani of Jhansi had a son, but the baby died in a few months of its birth. Not soon after the Queen and the King adopted a baby boy – Damodar Rao. But tragedy was not far away. The Queen became a widow soon after the adoption.
The British refused to consider Damodar Rao as the legal heir, because he was adopted and instituted proceedings to annex Jhansi.
The Queen refused to give in so meekly to the British. She took to the battlefield, leading her forces from the front into a fierce battle with the British. Things were not in her favour, and even though different forces joined her, she was still trying to organize resources and so seeking help she reached Gwalior– ruled by the Scindias from a fort that was situated on a hill. She presented her case to the royal court there and was assured of support.
However, when the injured Rani came to know that the promise of support was not genuine and her life was in danger, she escaped by tying her infant son to her back and leaping from a parapet of the fort on her beloved horse. The horse did not survive the jump as it was injured and it was laid to rest at that point. (Even today there is a small spot that marks the place where the horse had fallen).
What happened after that is still not very clearly known and is hugely debated. The queen had been fatally injured and she made it to a hut where she requested that the British must never be able to capture her – alive or dead. After she breathed her last, the hut was set to fire and her mortal remains were given the agni.
What happened to Damodar Rao and further lineage is also not clear. This much is certain that Damodar Rao never got Jhansi.
The Rani of Jhansi is one of the main characters in India’s first war of Independence in 1857 and is a symbol of sheer grit and steely resolve.
She lost her life, but her valour is immortal.
Here!
^WiseGuy^
I love this!
ReplyDeleteI love a little history lesson. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing life and amazing woman.
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting story! I love stories about women who buck the stereotypes. She must have been very brave and determined.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fascinating story. That is a beautiful statue.
ReplyDeleteAwesome show and tell. Great story and great statue.
ReplyDeleteOh wow. Thank you for sharing that, what a powerful piece of India's history.
ReplyDeleteGreat story of a great woman. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting...thanks so much for telling it!
ReplyDeleteThat's a brave and powerful woman! Thanks for telling this, I love hearing/reading about events such as these.
ReplyDeleteVery nice show and tell. Very interesting tale.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing that story.
ReplyDeleteWhat a inspiring story .. thanks
ReplyDeleteI've always loved The Jhansi ki Rani story... nice!
ReplyDeletevery inspiring, thanks for sharing!
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