20. “I Shall Not Surrender My Jhansi!“
The Maharaja of Jhansi and Lakshmibai did not have children, but her husband adopted a boy. Upon her husband’s death, the British resorted to legal chicanery, and refused to recognize the adopted child as heir to Jhansi. Instead, they annexed Jhansi to the territory of the East India Company. When informed of this, the badass in Lakshmibai came out, as she vowed “I shall not surrender my Jhansi!“. It became her war cry in the subsequent rebellion.
In 1857, Indian troops in British service mutinied, and their rebellion quickly spread throughout northern India. Lakshmibai was declared regent of Jhansi, and she governed on behalf of the underage heir. She raised troops and joined the rebels, and disgruntled natives from across India flocked to her standard to offer their support and fight under her command.