The Rani, born to a Karhade Brahmin family from Kashi, completed her edu­cation and martial training, which included horse riding, fencing and shooting, when she was still a child. In 1842 she married Raja Gangadhar Rao Newalkar, the Maharaja of Jhansi and her name was changed from Manikarnika to Lakshmibai - the name that the world knows. The Rani gave birth to a son in 185 L Unfortunately he died when he was just four months old. In 1853, Raja Gangadhar Rao fell very ill and insisted that they adopt a son. In order to ensure that the British did not contest the adoption, the Rani had it witnessed by the local British representatives. However, after the Raja's death, Lord Dalhousie, the then Gover­nor General of India, refused to accept the son­ Damodar Rao- as the legal heir to the throne. When Dalhousie decided to annex the state of Jhansi, the Rani appealed her case in London. She not just lost the case; the British Indian authorities even confiscated the state jewels and deducted her husband's debts from her annual pension. Further she was even asked to vacate Jhansi fort, but the Rani fought for her rights. She proclaimed her decision with the famous words - Mi mahji Jhansi nam dehnar (I will not give my Jhansi).

With the outbreak of violence in 1857, Jhansi became the centre of rebellion. The Rani started strengthening the defense of Jhansi and assem­bled a volunteer army which included men and women. In September and October of 1857, the Rani led her army against the invading armies of neighbouring Rajas of Datia and Orchha. In March 1858, after two weeks of fighting, the British Army captured the city of Jhansi. How­ever, the Rani managed to escape in the guise of a man, strapping her son on her back. She fled to Kalpi, joined Tatya Tope and ultimately died on June 17, 1858, during the war of Gwalior. According to folklore, the Rani is said to have jumped off a cliff, having being cornered by two British officers. However, as per actual facts, most sources say that the Rani was either shot or stabbed with a sabre. There is no mention of a cliff.

The British captured Gwalior three days after the Rani died and General Rose commented that she had been the bravest and the best of the rebels. All throughout the revolt, the Rani's main objective was to secure the throne of Jhan­si for her son. She is believed to have even sent letters to the British and professed to have sided with them in the hope that the British would return all privileges to her son. However, the British government never returned his inheri­tance, though after the Rani's death he was given a pension.

The fall of Jhansi and the death of the Rani were among the last events of the revolt of 1857. Due to her bravery, the Rani became a national hero and the epitome of female bravery in India. When the first female regiment of the Indian National Army was created, it was named after her