Rani Lakshmi Bai (1835-1858) was a great warrior of the First War of Indian Independence of 1857. Her heroic battle against the British has become the subject of many folk songs, ballads and poems in India. Her childhood name was Manikarnika. She was married to Raja Gangadhar Rao of Jhansi, when her only son and her husband died; Jhansi came under the ‘Doctrine of Lapse’. In 1853, Jhansi was annexed by the east India Company. But, Lakshmi Bai decided not to surrender Jhansi to the British. The British force under the leadership of sir Huge Rose captured Jhansi. Like a true heroine, she fought against the British force. She created a battalion exclusively of women. She died on 17th June, 1858 fighting bravely.
image source: 1.bp.blogspot.com/-1zHPgGfAXag/UROTNnf5e3I/AAAAAAAABG8/LPkkD632X3c/s1600/jhansi-ki-rani-lakshmibai-escape-from-jhansi-with-son.jpg