PRIMARY DOSSIER № 03 / 07
RANI LAKSHMIBAI
LEADER OF ARMED RESISTANCE · 1857 REBELLION (JHANSI)
Symbol of 1857 anti-colonial defiance who fought against Lord Dalhousie's Doctrine of Lapse, defending Jhansi Fort and dying in battle at Kotah-ki-Serai.
PRIMARY INVESTIGATION & FINDINGS
Defied Lord Dalhousie’s Doctrine of Lapse in 1854 when the Company annexed Jhansi upon the death of Maharaja Gangadhar Rao, famously declaring 'Mera Jhansi nahi doongi' (I will not surrender my Jhansi).
Commanded the defense of Jhansi Fort against General Sir Hugh Rose in March–April 1858, escaped through enemy encirclement on horseback with her adopted son, and joined forces with Tatya Tope at Kalpi.
Fell in battle near Gwalior (Kotah-ki-Serai) on 18 June 1858. General Hugh Rose described her as 'the bravest and best military leader of the rebels.'
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