Lakshmi Bai

Born 1835; died June 17, 1858. Princess (rani) of the Jhansi principality; participant in the Indian Popular Uprising of 1857–59; national heroine of India.

In 1854 the Jhansi principality was annexed by British colonialists. In June 1857, when the sepoys there revolted, routed the English, and moved on Delhi, Lakshmi Bai assumed control of the principality; at the same time she announced to the colonial authorities that she considered herself in their service and would return control of the principality. However, the authorities accused Lakshmi Bai of murdering Englishmen. This forced her to defect to the rebel camp. Lakshmi Bai courageously headed the defense of Jhansi against the British army of General Rose, and then, at the head of a cavalry detachment, she heroically fought in the forces of Tantia Topi and fell fighting near Gwalior.