Indian history · 1857 · Kings and queens

Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi (c. 1828–1858): Doctrine of Lapse, "Main Apni Jhansi Nahi Dungi", the Siege of Jhansi and the Fall at Gwalior — Exam Notes

Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi is the best-known figure of the Revolt of 1857 and one of the most searched names in Indian history. A queen whose kingdom was annexed under the Doctrine of Lapse, she defended Jhansi against a British siege, escaped on horseback and died fighting near Gwalior. This guide sets out her life and the facts examiners ask.

By PunjabExams Editorial Team · Updated 29 October 2026 · 6 min read · How we prepare guides

Life at a glance

Childhood at Bithoor

Manikarnika lost her mother at about four. Her father took her to Bithoor, near Kanpur, where the exiled Peshwa Baji Rao II lived. She grew up with the Peshwa's adopted son Nana Sahib and with Tatya Tope, and — unusually for girls of her time — learned horse riding, sword fighting and shooting as well as reading and writing.

Queen of Jhansi

In 1842 she married Gangadhar Rao, the Maratha ruler of Jhansi in Bundelkhand, and took the name Lakshmibai. Their son died in infancy. Shortly before his death in November 1853, Gangadhar Rao adopted a boy, Damodar Rao, in the presence of a British officer, and asked that the boy be recognised as heir, with the Rani ruling as regent.

The Doctrine of Lapse

The Governor-General Lord Dalhousie (1848–1856) applied the Doctrine of Lapse: if a ruler of a dependent state died without a natural heir, the state would "lapse" to the Company; adopted sons could inherit personal property but not the throne.

Jhansi was annexed in March 1854. The Rani was given a pension and ordered to leave the fort. She is remembered for declaring, "Main apni Jhansi nahi dungi" ("I will not give up my Jhansi"). She appealed to the Company, engaging the Australian lawyer John Lang, but the appeal failed. The annexation of Awadh in 1856, though made on grounds of misgovernment rather than lapse, added to the anger.

Jhansi in 1857

When the revolt spread in June 1857, sepoys at Jhansi rose and killed many British officers and civilians who had taken shelter in the fort. The Rani's role in this killing is debated by historians; British officials at the time blamed her. She then took charge of Jhansi's administration, recruited soldiers — including women — strengthened the fort's defences and repelled attacks by neighbouring rulers of Orchha and Datia.

The siege of Jhansi (March–April 1858)

The British Central India Field Force under Sir Hugh Rose besieged Jhansi from 23 March 1858.

• Tatya Tope came with a relief army of about 20,000 but was defeated at the Battle of the Betwa (1 April 1858).
• On 3–4 April, the British stormed the town.
• According to accounts, the Rani escaped at night on horseback with her adopted son tied to her back, and rode to Kalpi, about 150 km away, to join Tatya Tope and Rao Sahib (Nana Sahib's nephew).

Women in her army included Jhalkari Bai, who is remembered for disguising herself as the Rani to mislead the British during the siege.

Kalpi and Gwalior

After losing at Kalpi (May 1858), the rebel leaders made a bold move: they marched to Gwalior, whose ruler Jayajirao Scindia was loyal to the British. Gwalior's troops went over to the rebels and the city was captured on 1 June 1858. Nana Sahib was proclaimed Peshwa.

Death at Kotah-ki-Serai (18 June 1858)

British forces quickly moved against Gwalior. On 18 June 1858, at Kotah-ki-Serai near the Phool Bagh area of Gwalior, the Rani fought in cavalry dress and was mortally wounded. Accounts say her followers cremated her body nearby to keep it from the British. Her samadhi stands in Gwalior. Gwalior was retaken by the British on 20 June.

Sir Hugh Rose later wrote that she was the most dangerous of the rebel leaders. Tatya Tope continued guerrilla warfare until he was betrayed, captured and hanged in April 1859.

Legacy

• Subhadra Kumari Chauhan's Hindi poem "Jhansi ki Rani" ("khoob ladi mardani…") made her a household name.
• The women's regiment of Subhas Chandra Bose's Indian National Army was named the Rani of Jhansi Regiment (1943), led by Captain Lakshmi Sahgal.
• Jhansi's railway station was renamed Virangana Lakshmibai Railway Station in 2021.
• The Rani Lakshmibai Central Agricultural University is at Jhansi.

Exam traps

• Doctrine of Lapse — Lord Dalhousie; first state: Satara (1848); Jhansi 1854.
• Awadh (1856) was annexed for "misgovernment", not by lapse.
• The British commander was Sir Hugh Rose; she died at Kotah-ki-Serai, Gwalior, on 18 June 1858.
• Jhalkari Bai was a soldier in her army, not her sister.

Key points to remember

• Born Manikarnika in Varanasi; grew up at Bithoor with Nana Sahib and Tatya Tope.
• Married Gangadhar Rao (1842); adopted Damodar Rao (1853).
• Jhansi annexed by Doctrine of Lapse (1854, Dalhousie).
• Siege by Hugh Rose (March–April 1858); escape to Kalpi; capture of Gwalior.
• Died 18 June 1858, Kotah-ki-Serai; INA's Rani of Jhansi Regiment.

Practice questions

1. Q1. Rani Lakshmibai's childhood name was:

   • (a) Manikarnika
   • (b) Jhalkari
   • (c) Durgavati
   • (d) Ahilya
   Show answer

   Answer: (a) Manikarnika — She was born Manikarnika, nicknamed Manu.

2. Q2. Jhansi was annexed under the Doctrine of Lapse in:

   • (a) 1848
   • (b) 1854
   • (c) 1856
   • (d) 1857
   Show answer

   Answer: (b) 1854 — Lord Dalhousie annexed Jhansi in March 1854.

3. Q3. Which state was the first to be annexed under the Doctrine of Lapse?

   • (a) Jhansi
   • (b) Nagpur
   • (c) Satara
   • (d) Awadh
   Show answer

   Answer: (c) Satara — Satara was annexed in 1848.

4. Q4. The British commander who besieged Jhansi in 1858 was:

   • (a) Colin Campbell
   • (b) Hugh Rose
   • (c) John Nicholson
   • (d) Henry Havelock
   Show answer

   Answer: (b) Hugh Rose — Sir Hugh Rose led the Central India Field Force.

5. Q5. Rani Lakshmibai died in battle on 18 June 1858 near:

   • (a) Kalpi
   • (b) Jhansi
   • (c) Gwalior
   • (d) Kanpur
   Show answer

   Answer: (c) Gwalior — She fell at Kotah-ki-Serai near Gwalior.

6. Q6. The women's regiment of the INA was named after:

   • (a) Rani Durgavati
   • (b) Rani Lakshmibai
   • (c) Begum Hazrat Mahal
   • (d) Rani Chennamma
   Show answer

   Answer: (b) Rani Lakshmibai — It was called the Rani of Jhansi Regiment.

Frequently asked questions

What was the Doctrine of Lapse?

Dalhousie's policy that a dependent state whose ruler died without a natural heir would pass to the East India Company; adopted heirs were not recognised as rulers.

Who wrote the poem 'Jhansi ki Rani'?

Subhadra Kumari Chauhan.

Where is Rani Lakshmibai's samadhi?

In Gwalior, near the place where she fell.

Practise modern history MCQs All preparation guides