Rani Lakshmibai – Queen of Jhansi

Why in News?

Recently, on the death anniversary of Rani Lakshmibai (June 18), she was remembered for her enduring historical legacy.

• Doctrine of Lapse and Annexation of Jhansi – It held that if a ruler of a princely state under British suzerainty died without a natural male heir, the state would “lapse” and be annexed, adopted heirs not recognized.
• It was introduced by Lord Dalhousie.
• Jhansi was annexed after Gangadhar Rao’s death when Damodar Rao’s claim was rejected, motivating Rani Lakshmibai to lead resistance against the East India Company. 
• Role in Revolt of 1857 – She reorganised her forces and fought the colonialists, despite her vigorous attempt at fighting the British, she lost the battle and her life in Revolt of 1857.

Revolt of 1857 started at May 10^th 1857 and officially ended in July 08^th 1859.

Nationalists' Recognition

• Oral traditions and folklore transformed her into India’s greatest heroine.
• Rabindranath Tagore – Jhansir Rani (1877) was among the earliest literary works.
• Subhadra Kumari Chauhan – An iconic poem Jhansi ki Rani (1930) immortalised her valour.
• Vrindavan Lal Verma’s novel (1946) and Mahasweta Devi’s Jhansi Rani (1956) further canonised her legacy.
• Prachi Deshpande – Observed that her as idealised Indian womanhood in nationalist writings.
• INA Connection – Subhas Chandra Bose named the women’s regiment of the Indian National Army (INA) as the Rani of Jhansi Regiment, cementing her place as a freedom struggle icon.

Reference

Indian express | Rani Lakshmibai