Manikarnika

“बुंदेले हरबोलों के मुंह हमने सुनी कहानी थी, खूब लड़ी मर्दानी, वह तो झांसी वाली रानी थी।।”

Rani Laxmi Bai ; Source : Google Images

As famous as this quote is, the rani that is being spoken about was remarkable to the same extent. Being one of the bravest souls to have the will power to stand up to the whole British army in order to not give her kingdom to them, Rani Laxmi Bai was a perfect example of women empowerment, strength, valor and a sense of justice.

Rani Laxmi Bai, the queen of Jhansi, or perhaps infamously called as Jhansi Ki Rani, was the first woman to stand up to the white guests who claimed to be the rulers of her country, India as well as prove that a woman can as spectacularly rule a kingdom as that a man can.

Jhansi Ki Rani, born and brought up in Poona in 1828, was known as Manikarnika. That was her birth name. Manikarnika was very much interested in sword fights and all the other things that a man was taught in order to learn to fight or perhaps take over a kingdom. Not only that, but she also excelled in everything she did, be it sword fighting or taking care of a kingdom.

Manikarnika had not only set an example of honor, bravery and dedication towards her kingdom, but she was also a set example of beauty. Hence, at a very young age, Manikarnika was married to the heir of Jhansi, Gangadhar Rao. It was after her marriage that she was given the name of Rani Laxmi Bai.

Rani Laxmi Bai, being the glorious woman that she was, often helped her husband in making decisions that always proved to be beneficial for the kingdom and its people. Not only that, but besides being a good wife, she was also a good queen. Everyone in the kingdom as well as the royal family loved her and the way she handled and took care of everything.

Moving ahead in life, Rani Laxmi Bai gave birth to a beautiful baby boy, Damodar Rao. However, that point in her life was the last glimpse of happiness that existed in her life. Not a lot of time passed by when the queen lost her baby boy, just after four months of him opening his eyes for the first time in the world.

That moment and the news broke the king and the queen from inside out. Not just the royal family but the whole kingdom was affected by the demise of the baby prince. The king couldn’t take the news and the loss of his child and very soon, the kingdom lost its king as well. Gangadhar Rao was no more.

Just before a day the kingdom lost its king, Rani Laxmi Bai adopted a son and named him the same, Damodar Rao. However, as per the rule and the policy of the ‘Doctrine of Lapse’, Damodar Rao couldn’t be the heir or the future ruler of Jhansi as he was not the real blood but adopted. This made the possibility of Jhansi being passed on to the British Raj.

However, being as strong minded as she was, Manikarnika loved her kingdom too much to just let it go to her sworn enemies, the British.

“मैं मेरी झांसी नहीं दूंगी”

This is when this infamous quote from the queen took over the whole of the British raj. To not let her enemies take over her home, Rani Laxmi Bai fought until her last breath on the battleground. Giving the glimpse of how remarkable she was, Jhansi Ki Rani fought the whole battle with her son, Damodar Rao, tied to her back, with swords in her hands.

***“बुंदेले हरबोलों के मुंह हमने सुनी कहानी थी,

खूब लड़ी मर्दानी, वह तो झांसी वाली रानी थी।।”***

This isn't just a phrase, but words that give goosebumps to every Indian who reads or hears them. Jhansi Ki Rani was a true symbol of valor and honor as well as integrity and dedication. She was the first woman to have stood up to the British raj along with handling her kingdom better than any other, be it her own husband too.

Rani Laxmi Bai on the battlefield with her son, Damodar Rao tied to her back. ; Source: IndoreHD