ഭാരതപ്പെണ്ണഴകിന്റെ
സൂര്യകാന്തം
ധീരറാണിയായ്‌
സൂര്യസ്വര്‍ഗത്തേയ്‌ക്ക്‌.
(ആണത്തവും പെണ്ണത്തവും
ആത്മാഭിമാനികള്‍ക്ക്‌
വച്ചുമാറാനാകാത്തത്‌).

* (സൂര്യകാന്തം = സൂര്യരശ്‌മി തട്ടിയാല്‍ തീ പുറപ്പെടുന്ന കല്ല്‌
സൂര്യസ്വര്‍ഗം = വീരമൃത്യുക്കള്‍ക്കുള്ള ലോകം)

Lakshmi Bai, the fiery Queen of Jhansi, also known as the Rani of Jhansi, one of the great nationalist heroines of the first Indian freedom war, a symbol of resistance to the British rule in India was born on 19th November 1835 at Kashi (Presently known as Varanasi). Rani of Jhansi, the great heroine of the first struggle for Indian freedom; lost her life at the age of 23.

Mannikarnika (Manu) was the name of Rani Lakshmi Bai in her childhood. Manu lost her mother at the age of four. She completed her education and learned horse riding, sword fighting and shooting on a target with a gun.

She was married to Raja Gangadhar Rao, the Maharaja of Jhansi in 1842, and became the Rani of Jhansi. After the marriage she was given the name Lakshmi Bai. When Rani Lakshmi Bai was eighteen years old her husband died. Rani Lakshmi Bai did not lose her courage, she always remembered her responsibility.

Lord Dalhousie was the Governor -General of India. Though little Damodar Rao, adopted son of late Maharaja Gangadhar Rao and Rani Lakshmi Bai was Maharaja's heir and successor as per the Hindu tradition, the British rulers rejected Rani's claim. Lord Dalhousie decided to annex the state of Jhansi as Maharaja Gangadhar Rao had left no legal heir. The British used this trick to expand their Empire.
In March 1854 the British ruler announced 60,000 (Sixty Thousand) annual pension for Rani and also ordered to leave the Jhansi fort. Jhansi was in humiliating condition but it was like a silent volcano before eruption.

Rani Jhansi was determined not to give up Jhansi. She was a symbol of patriotism and self- respect British were making every effort to destroy the freedom of country whereas Rani was determined to get rid of British.

Rani Lakshmi Bai strengthened the defense of Jhansi and she assembled a volunteer army of rebellions. Women were also given Military training. Rani was accompanied by her brave warriors. Along with all these warriors the local population of Jhansi irrespective of their religion or caste was always determined to fight and give their lives with pleasure for the cause of independence and their beloved Rani.

The British attacked Jhansi in March 1858. Rani Jhansi with her faithful warriors decided not to surrender. The fighting continued for about two weeks. Shelling on Jhansi was very fierce. In the Jhansi - army women were also carrying ammunition and were supplying food to the soldiers. Rani Lakshmi Bai was very active. She herself was inspecting the defense of the city. However, after this Great War, Jhansi fell to the British forces. The British army entered the Jhansi City. Rani Lakshmi Bai, still full of courage and deathless patriotism dressed as a man, took up arms, her son Damodar Rao was strapped tightly to her back. She was holding the reins of her horse in her mouth. In the fierce fighting she was using the sword with both her hands. Rani Lakshmi Bai reached Kalpi. Many other rebellion- forces joined her. From Kalpi Rani departed to Gwalior. Fierce battle took place. Rani Jhansi fought with deathless patriotism. On the second day of fighting, the great heroine of the first struggle for Indian freedom, at the age of 23 years, lost her life on 18th June of 1858.