Portraits of Strength and Grace: Queen Lakshmi

Lakshmi, originally named Manikarnika, was a Maratha queen during the Jhansi rule in north-central India. 🛕👸🏻

She was one of the greatest heroes of the first Indian War of Independence. When British forces invaded Jhansi in March 1858, she fought for two weeks with an army of men and women. On the last day that the British occupied the city, the Queen strapped her little boy to her waist and rode with him on horseback. She went to Kelpi with some of his trusted people and fought the English leaders there.✊🏻⚜️

With her child on her back, she held the reins of the horse with her mouth and struck a sword with both hands. She fought so much that she was wounded. ⚔️ She didn't want her body to fall into the hands of the British and asked Zahedi to cremate his body. Her bravery is mentioned in British historical reports. 🌼 She has been described as "smart, personable and beautiful" and "one of India's most dangerous leaders".❤️⚜️