The first freedom movement to liberate India from the slavery of the British was fought by a woman. This fight is also called a rebellion against the British soldiers. The leader of this movement was Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi, who gave a tough time to the British at the age of just 16. Her heroic saga is recorded in the pages of history and is told to every child in the form of a story or tale so that they become courageous. This is an incomparable example of women's empowerment. June 18 is the death anniversary of Rani Lakshmibai, which is remembered as her sacrifice day. In the last battle of her life, she wrote such a unique story of bravery on the last day, which will be remembered for centuries. Let us know the heroic saga of Rani Lakshmibai and how was the last day of her life.

Biography of Rani Lakshmibai

Rani Lakshmibai was born on 19 November 1828 in a Marathi family in Banaras. Her childhood name was Manikarnika and people affectionately call her Manu. In 1842, she was married to Maharaja Gangadhar Rao Nevlekar of Jhansi. After marriage, she was named Lakshmibai.

After marriage, her son died at the age of just four months. After 11 years of marriage, the Maharaja also died. Rani Lakshmibai, who was broken by the loss of her husband and son, adopted Maharaja Gangadhar's cousin Damodar as her son to handle her empire.

However, the British refused to accept the adopted son Damodar as the heir of Jhansi and turned against Lakshmibai. They asked to hand over the fort of Jhansi to the British rule.

Invasion of Jhansi
The British, under the leadership of Sir Hughrose, laid siege to Jhansi on 23 March 1858 and attacked the next day. The army of Jhansi taught a lesson to the British army. She kept protecting the fort somehow but on 2 April, the British planned to attack the fort of Jhansi and started heavy shelling. The British army was successful in infiltration.

The queen of Jhansi left the fort

To save the lives of the queen and Damodar Rao, they had to leave the fort and go to Tatya Tope or Nana Saheb. Lakshmibai tied Damodar Rao on her back and jumped from the fort on horseback. During this, her horse died. But she reached Kalpi.

On 22 May, the British attacked Kalpi and the queen had to flee from there along with her companions. Rani Lakshmibai, Tatya Tope and Rao Saheb reached Gwalior.

The British attacked Gwalior on 17 June. The queen fought directly with the British. During this time, the queen was in the attire of a soldier. During the fight, the queen was shot. She was bleeding a lot, and then a sword hit her head and she was martyred.

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