Essay on Rani Lakshmi Bai
Long and Short Essay on Rani Lakshmi Bai in English for Children and Students
Rani Lakshmi Bai of Jhansi is known as a great patriot and one of the most important freedom fighters during the First War of Independence in 1857, sometimes referred to simply as Rebellion. Although she fought primarily for her kingdom, the fact is that she refused to bow her head to the powerful, cruel and cunning British Empire.
Many folk songs were composed on her life. The poem written by Subhdra Kumari Chauhan on her life and valour is still on the tongue of every citizen. Her strong will power and determination had a strong impact on Indian people. Her enemies also praised her spirit and given her the title of Indian John of Arc. She fought bravely against the British declaring “I do not give my Jhansi”; and sacrificed her life for the freedom of her kingdom.
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Essay on Rani Lakshmi Bai – 1 (200 Words)
Rani Lakshmi Bai of Jhansi was the ideal celebrity in real sense. She was born on 19th November 1828 in Kashi. Her father’s name was Moropant Tambe and mother’s name was Bhagirathi Bai. Rani Lakshmi Bai was called Manu Bai in her childhood.
She was married in 1842 to Raja Gangadhar Rao, who was the king of Jhansi from 1838. Gangadhar Rao was already a widower when Lakshmi Bai married him. In 1851, a son was born to the couple but died four months later. Rani Lakshmi Bai’s husband, Gangadhar Rao, was deeply shocked by this incident and died on 21st November 1853.
During his lifetime, King Gangadhar Rao had informed the English government to consider Damodar Rao, the child of his family as an adopted son but Lord Dalhousie rejected the adoption under the policy of Doctrines of Lapse and announced the merger of Jhansi into the English state. But Rani Laxmibai did not want to let Jhansi and revolted.
Rani Lakshmi Bai formed an army of women and fought against the British bravely with her other warriors. She faced the British forces with her small army and showed a great courage and valour in the battle field. She tied her adopted son Damodar Rao behind her back and started destroying the British army with her sword in which she was badly wounded. Her horse could not succeed to cross a wide drain and a British soldier pierced his sword into her and she was martyred. She had left this world but ignited the war of independence among other Indians.
Essay on Rani Lakshmi Bai – 2 (300 Words)
Rani Laxmi Bai’s name is immortal in Indian freedom struggle. Her patriotism and might still remains a source of inspiration for us. Rani Lakshmi Bai, known as Queen of Jhansi, can never be forgotten by the countrymen.
Rani Lakshmi Bai was born on 15th June 1834 in Kashi. Her childhood name was Manikarnika shortened as Manu Bai. She was rich in talent since her childhood. She also took up arms training in her childhood. She had mastered in sword-play and horse riding. Seeing her skills in these events, even big warriors considered her expertise.
She was married to Gangadhar Rao, the king of Jhansi but irrationality of her fate; she became a widow only after two-years of her marriage.
At that time, the British Empire was gradually occupying the whole of India. After the death of King Gangadhar Rao, the desire to merge Jhansi into the British Empire became strong. Rani Lakshmi Bai did not lose courage even after the death of her husband and started taking the reins of governance with full responsibility.
She had adopted a child, Gangadhar Rao, when her husband was alive; to run the dynasty but the English Empire did not recognized him. Lord Dalhousie, the Governor General, announced the subjugation of all the states whose kings were childless under the policy of Doctrine of Lapse.
Rani Lakshmi Bai of Jhansi clearly opposed this. She opposed the British Empire and refused to obey and follow any of their orders. She, along with some other kings Tatya Tope, Nana Saheb and Kunwar Singh etc., completely prepared themselves to take on the British. She along with others faced the traitors (the British Army) several times and also defeated them bravely.
In 1857, Rani Laxmibai had a historic war with the British. She along with Tatya Tope and Nana Saheb etc. resolved to uproot the British from the country. She did not lose courage even in the face of the huge British army. Her courage and valour added a new vigor to her army. She faced the British with great valour in the war but eventually had to be defeated.
Essay on Rani Lakshmi Bai – 3 (400 Words)
Introduction
Many of us have read the saga of valour and courage of Rani Lakshmi Bai of Jhansi. She faced the British in the freedom struggle which started with the revolution of 1857 and didn’t let the British to conquer Jhansi.
In fact, she was the first heroine of the freedom struggle, at a time when there was a society dominated by men, it was not natural for a queen or a woman to jump into the battlefield.
About 160 years ago, Rani Lakshmi Bai had laid the foundation for women empowerment. For women there can be no more inspiration for women empowerment than Rani Lakshmi Bai.
The British State Usurpation Policy
The policy of Doctrine of Lapse was prepared in 1848 by Lord Dalhousie, Governor General of British India, to deal with the succession questions of Hindu Indian states, in Indian history. Under this policy the British refused to consider Damodar Rao as the successor of Jhansi and it was decided to merge Jhansi into the British Empire.
The British seized the treasure of Jhansi and asked Rani Lakshmi Bai to leave the fort of Jhansi. On 7th March, The British took over the command of Jhansi fort but Rani decided not to give up and started efforts to free Jhansi from the British. Many of the prominent freedom fighters of that time supported her.
The Beginning of the Revolution of 1857
The war had begun from Meerut in 1857. Jhansi also came under the grip of violence. During September and October 1857, the kings of the neighbouring states of Orchha and Datia invaded Jhansi but were thwarted by Rani Lakshmi Bai.
In January, the British Army marched towards Jhansi and in March besieged the entire Jhansi City. Rani Lakshmi Bai managed to escape with her son Damodar Rao. Rani reached Kalpi and met Tatya Tope.
Rani along with Tatya attacked Gwalior and captured the fort of Gwalior. On 17th June 1858, Rani Lakshmi Bai fought her last battle against the British. She fought bravely against the British Army. During the battle her horse couldn’t succeeded to jump over a broad drain; and Captain Hugh Rose pierced his sword into her. She embraced death igniting a fire of freedom into every Indian heart.
Conclusion
For millions of Indians, Rani Lakshmi Bai personifies courage and fearlessness, patriotic and uncompromising, when it came to upholding the pride of India, she fought imperialism with valour and determination. Sir Hugh Rose, who first fought Rani Laxmi Bai’s army during the freedom struggle, later wrote in his diary, ‘Rani was indeed a very brave, intelligent and efficient administrator.
Essay on Rani Lakshmi Bai – 4 (500 Words)
Introduction
Even today, reading and humming the lines of Subhadra Kumari Chauhan, reciting the heroic story of Rani Lakshmi Bai, creates a wonderful communication of patriotism in the mind.
Rani Lakshmi Bai, who played an important role in the country’s first freedom struggle, was also praised by the British, amazed by the unmatched valour and she has become a legend about her stories of incredible valour and courage.
The sacrifice of queen who was martyred in Gwalior on 18thJune 1858 is an example in every respect for the whole country. The personality of Rani Lakshmi Bai was far above that was the reason that when she fought against the British, the common people joined her.
Qualities and Works of Rani Lakshmi Bai as a Ruler
Below are given some of her qualities and works as a ruler which are still exemplary for any ruler:
- Rani and Secularism
Rani Lakshmi Bai fought her final battle against the British in Gwalior; she was accompanied by a special squad of Pathan soldiers. The tomb tells the martyrdom of those Pathans on Nau Gaja Road, Gwalior, remains even today. Her army consists of Hindus and Muslims without any discrimination.
- Strict Towards Miscreants
She was extremely strict towards the miscreants who had fretted over the interests of common people. For this, she didn’t trust her officers and feudal lords too. Many examples are there when she helped the poor by charitable works.
- Tolerance
When she captured the fort of Gwalior, she ordered her chiefs to not to attack on the subjects. Its direct effect was seen in the contribution of local people in the revolution and war.
- Emphasis on the Self-Respect of Women Power
Rani Lakshmi Bai had complete confidence in the power of women. When the mutiny was going on in the whole region including Gwalior, women also fought a lot in Bhind and Etawah. She had also formed an army of women who were trained in horse riding and weapons.
- Democratic View
Farmers in villages around Gwalior, Kalpi and Bhind contributed her a lot in the fight. She appointed common man in her army without any discrimination.
Rani Lakshmi Bai and the Era of Women Empowerment
This great personality was born on 19th November 1828 in Kashi. In this era of women empowerment, who can be a greater inspiration for young women than Rani Lakshmi Bai, who fought bravely against the British while commanding her kingdom at the age of just 23, in a period dominated by men.
Whenever there is talk of empowerment of women in India, there is a discussion about the great Rani Laxmi Bai. Rani Lakshmi Bai is not only a great name but she is a role model for all women who consider themselves brave and also a role model for women who think they cannot do anything because they are women.
Conclusion
Rani Lakshmi Bai’s name is immortal in our country’s freedom struggle. Her patriotism and might still remain a source of inspiration for us. Rani Laxmibai, popularly known as ‘Jhansi Ki Rani’, can never be forgotten by the countrymen.
Essay on Rani Lakshmi Bai – 5 (600 Words)
Introduction
Rani Lakshmi Bai was the queen of the Jhansi kingdom ruled by the Marathas and was one of the celebrities playing the bugle against the British rule in the first war of Indian freedom struggle of 1857. She was such a woman of valour who fought bravely against the British at the age of only 23 and got martyrdom in the battlefield, but did not let the British occupy her kingdom Jhansi in her life.
Early Life of Rani Lakshmi Bai
Although she was born in Kashi but her parents were from Maharashtra. When Laxmibai was only four years old, her mother died. Her father was in the service of Maratha Bajirao Peshwa. After the demise of her mother, there was no one to take care of Manu (nickname of Lakshmi Bai) in the house, so her father took Manu with him to Bajirao’s court.
There Manu’s nature and behaviour fascinated everyone and people started lovingly calling her Chhabili. Along with the teaching of the scriptures, Manu was also taught weapons and horse riding.
Marital Life of Rani Lakshmi Bai
In 1842, Manu was married to Gangadhar Rao Nimbalkar, the king of Jhansi and thus she became the queen of Jhansi and was renamed Lakshmi Bai. In 1851, the couple was blessed with a son, but he died at the age of four months.
On the other hand, Gangadhar Rao’s health was deteriorating. He was advised to have an adopted son if his health deteriorated rapidly. He did the same and after adopting the son, Gangadhar Rao died on 21st November 1853. His adopted son was named Damodar Rao.
Policy of the British and Jhansi
Under the state grab policy of Governor General Dalhousie of British India, the British refused to consider the child Damodar Rao as the heir to the Jhansi kingdom and decided to merge the Jhansi kingdom into the British Empire under the policy of Doctrine of Lapse.
On 7th March 1854, the British acquired their power on the fort of Jhansi and seized the treasury. They declared annual rehabilitation money for the queen but started deducting a large amount in order to clear the debt. They ordered Rani to leave the fort. Rani was compelled to take shelter in Ranimahal. But Rani Lakshmi Bai did not lose hope and decided to protect Jhansi with her small army.
Her Struggle against the British
Rani Laxmibai started to form a volunteer army to fight against the British rule. Women were also recruited in this army and trained in war. The general public of Jhansi also supported the queen in this struggle. Jhalkari Bai, the resemblance of Lakshmi Bai, was given a prominent position in the army.
Queen Lakshmi Bai’s war against the British, many deposed rulers like Begum Hazrat Mahal, Begum Zeenat Mahal, Nana Sahib’s advocate Azimullah, King of Shahgarh, Vanpur’s King Mardan Singh, Bahadur Shah Zafar, Kunwar Singh and Tatya Tope etc. all started trying to cooperate in the struggle with the Queen.
In January 1858, the English army started marching towards Jhansi and surrounded the city. After nearly two weeks of struggle, the British captured the city, but Rani Laxmi Bai escaped from the English army with her son Damodar Rao. Rani Laxmibai reached Kalpi after escaping from Jhansi and met Tatya Tope.
The combined forces of Tatya Tope and Lakshmi Bai captured a fort in Gwalior with the help of rebel soldiers from Gwalior. Rani Laxmibai fought the English Army bravely, but on 17th June 1858, she was badly injured and died near Gwalior.
Conclusion
The queen of Jhansi was defeated in the freedom struggle but she sowed the seeds of freedom for the countrymen. The courage and valour with which she fought against the English army brought courage and zeal to all the countrymen.
The British themselves, seeing Lakshmi Bai’s bravery, called her the Indian John of Arc. Her sacrifice for the independence of the country will always be immortal in Indian history.
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