Lakshmi Bai of India

A revolutionary queen who led rebellion against British colonial rule and became a symbol of resistance and empowerment for Indian women

Lakshmi Bai (1828-1858), also known as the Rani of Jhansi, was an Indian queen whose leadership during the 1857 rebellion against British rule made her a legendary figure in Indian history. Born into a Maratha Brahmin family in Varanasi, she married Gangadhar Rao Newalkar, the Maharaja of Jhansi, at age 14. After her husband's death in 1853, she fought fiercely to prevent the annexation of Jhansi by the British under the Doctrine of Lapse.

During the Indian Rebellion of 1857, she organized armies and personally led troops into battle using innovative guerrilla tactics. Her iconic image riding a horse with her infant son tied to her back became a symbol of courage. Though ultimately defeated at the Battle of Kotah-ki-Serai, her leadership inspired future generations of freedom fighters. She remains a cultural icon celebrated in schools across India through plays like The Legend of Jhansi and historical documentaries on History Channel. Modern scholars praise her for challenging British colonial policies while advocating for women's roles in leadership.