Rani Lakshmi Bai of Jhansi is known as “India’s Joan of Arc”. This young lady, who was still in her twenties, was the widow of Gangadhar Rao, the last ruler of Jhansi. He died in 1853 without leaving a son.
The British enunciated the Doctrine of Lapse by which they became the heirs of those of India’s Maharajas who died without a male issue. The Kingdom of Jhansi was thus annexed by the British and the Rani was given a small pension.
Rani Lakshmi Bai swore undying vengeance against those who had usurped her kingdom. Thus, she assumed the leadership of the freedom-fighters when the Indian Army rose in revolt four years later.
They fought British troops at several places including Kanpur and was initially very successful, but the more disciplined and well-officered troops of the East India Company finally crushed the rebellion.
On May 22, 1858, the forces of Tantia Topi (also Tantia Tope) and Rani Lakshmi Bai were defeated at Kalpi. The Rani moved into the Gwalior Fort for a last stand. On June, 1858, she was slain while leading her troops, sword in hand, against a charge by the British cavalry. The simple cenotaph of the Rani is about a mile from the Gwalior station.