Rani Avantibai Biography

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Rani Avantibai was the first female martyr Veerangana to play a major role in the freedom struggle of 1857. In the freedom struggle of 1857, Rani Avantibai of Ramgarh was the architect of the liberation movement in Rewanchal. The ruler of Ramgarh State from 1817 to 1851 was Laxman Singh. After his death, Vikramajit Singh took the throne. He was married in his childhood to Avantibai, the daughter of Rao Jujhar Singh, the landlord of Mankehni. Vikramajit Singh was of a brave nature since childhood, so his wife Rani Avantibai continued to do the work of running the state. They had two sons - Aman Singh and Sher Singh. By then the British had established their feet in many parts of India, to uproot them, Rani Avantibai started the revolution and Rani Avantibai of Ramgarh, the first woman revolutionary in India, waged a historic decisive war against the British, which was a big step in India's independence. This is the contribution due to which Rani Avantibai of Ramgarh is named as Amarshaheed Veerangana Rani Avantibai all over India.

The queen of Ramgarh was Avantibai and her husband was Vikramaditya Singh, ...
... but the British declared her insane. Both his sons Aman Singh and Sher Singh were minors at that time. After the death of Vikramaditya, he was not considered the heir to the kingdom. The British declared that princely state as 'Court of Wards' and appointed its administrator there. Showing indomitable courage, the queen expelled the administrator and declared war against the British.

Rani Avantibai sent messages to the surrounding states through her messengers. On reading the message, the kings realized the determination of the queen. Bangles were also sent along with the message, in which it was written that if you are determined to free Mother India, then raise your sword against the British, otherwise wear bangles and hide in your homes.

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Thus a woman challenged her man and reminded him of his duty. Seeing those bangles, his man woke up and raised his eyebrows and his sword and stood up. Raja Jagatsingh of Shahpur attacked Narayanganj, on the other hand Bahadur Singh Lodi took over the front of Shahpur. Raising the flag of rebellion, Indian soldiers of the British army met Baldev Tiwari, the Subedar of Patan, in Salimabad. Both Rani Avantibai and Raja Surajprasad of Vijayraghavgarh paved the way for rebellion in the entire northern region of Narmada.

Rani Avantibai formed a front near a village named Khairi under Mandla. She wanted to attack Mandla, but before that the British commander Waddington came to fight with the queen. In this very first battle, the queen's sword shone and lightning was flashing in front of her, killing the enemy's army. Riding on a horse, General Waddington tried to surround the queen. The queen, riding on a horse, attacked Waddington with her sword with full force, but at the same time her horse moved forward a little and the sword hit Waddington's horse. Due to the intensity of the blow, his neck was cut and fell on the ground. Waddington ran away in panic and disappeared into the crowd of soldiers. The queen's sword put countless soldiers to death.

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Waddington was troubled by his defeat, he again made preparations and surrounded the queen in her fort Ramgarh. Avoiding Waddington's huge army, the queen moved away from Ramgarh and marched towards the hills of Deohargarh.

Capturing the surrounding areas, he set fire to Ramgarh and went in search of the queen.

Rani Avantibai started a guerilla war from the hills itself. Waddington's army was dismembered by attacking the military camp. At the same time, the army of some states of North India and Rewa state reached to help the British and the queen also continued to fight them with full valor.

When the queen felt that she would now be surrounded, she told her confidant companion Umrao Singh that brother, before falling into the unholy hands of the British, I want to end this leela. Umrao Singh said that sister, first let me show you my Jauhar, then do whatever you think is appropriate. In this way, Umrao Singh started cutting the British army like radish-carrot and he progressed a lot. Now the queen felt that she was left alone, immediately her sword struck her stomach and fell unconscious.

After some time, Waddington saluted him and asked the names of his associates. In reply, I just said that I myself am responsible for the war - by saying this I closed my eyes forever and ever. After chanting 'Hariom', on 20 March 1858, a heroine became a martyr for the freedom of her country.