THE RANI OF JHANSI Lakshmibai

Rani (Queen) Lakshmibai of Jhansi never wanted to be a rebel. She did everything she could to stay on the right side of the law. But when the British East India Company finally pushed her too far, she took up the sword – literally – to fight for her kingdom, her son, and her life!

Return guest Pamela Toler is back to tell us about this incredible, unexpected “heroine of Indian Independence.”

Lakshmibai smoking a hookah, c1859
public domain

The Rani Mahal (Palace of Lakshmibai) in Jhansi
photo by VisitIndia

The Seal of Rani Lakshmibai
image from “The Indian War Of Independence 1857” by Vinayak Damodar Sawarkar

The place from which Lakshmibai jumped from the walls of Jhansi Fort (or did she?)
photo by Avinashmaurya

Gangadhar Rao,Lakshmibai’s husband.
public domain

Hugh Rose, sitting third from left, with John Lawrence, Viceroy of India and other council members. c. 1864
public domain

Armed with a PhD in history, a well-thumbed deck of library cards, and a large bump of curiosity, author, speaker, and historian, Pamela D. Toler translates history for a popular audience. She goes beyond the familiar boundaries of American history to tell stories from other parts of the world as well as history from the other side of the battlefield, the gender line, or the color bar. Toler is the author of eight books of popular history for children and adults. Her most recent books are Women Warriors: An Unexpected History and Across the Minefields.

THE RANI OF JHANSI Lakshmibai

Music featured in this episode included

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