Question

In which of the following years did Rani Lakshmibai die fighting with British colonial rulers?
1. 1856
2. 1834
3. 1858
4. 1867

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 3 : 1858

The Correct Answer is "1858".

• Lakshmi Bai, rani (queen) of Jhansi and a leader of the Indian Mutiny of 1857–58.
• The Rani of Jhansi was born as Manikarnika in the city of Varanasi.
• She was grown up with the boys in the Peshwa's court of Bithoor district. 
• She married the Maharaja of Jhansi, Gangadhar Rao.

• Lord Dalhousie, the British governor-general of India, refused to recognize the adopted heir and annexed Jhansi in accordance with the doctrine of lapse.
• After her husband’s death, the East India Company applied the Doctrine of Lapse stating that an adopted son cannot be heir to the throne.
• The Rani went to a British lawyer and later filed an appeal in London, but all in vain. The English confiscated the state jewels and asked her to leave the fort after giving her a pension of Rs. 60,000.
• But Lakshmibai was keen on protecting the State of Jhansi.
• She strengthened its defenses and rallied a volunteer army of 14,000 rebels. 
• The 22-year-old queen refused to handover Jhansi to the British.
• The First War of Independence began in 1857 and the chaotic time ensured the British were focussing their attention elsewhere, and so Lakshmibai was left alone.
• The Rani’s reluctance to take on the British ended when Sir Hugh Rose laid siege to Jhansi.
  • ​ The Rani decided not to surrender. 
• In the battle for Gwalior she donned warrior clothes and rode into battleground.
• She died in battle on June 18, 1858, aged barely 30.

 

• Tantia Tope and Lakshmi Bai then mounted a successful assault on the city-fortress of Gwalior.
• The treasury and the arsenal were seized, and Nana Sahib, a prominent leader, was proclaimed as the Peshwa (ruler).
• After taking Gwalior, Lakshmi Bai marched east to Morar to confront a British counterattack led by Rose.
• Dressed as a man, she fought a fierce battle and was killed in combat.