Historical Figure
Rani Lakshmibai
d. 1858
Prominent leader of the 1857 Indian rebellion
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Biography
The Rani of Jhansi, also known as Rani Lakshmibai, was one of the leading figures of the Indian Rebellion of 1857. The queen consort of the princely state of Jhansi from 1843 to 1853, she assumed its leadership after the outbreak of the conflict and fought several battles against the British. Her life and deeds are celebrated in modern India and she remains a potent symbol of Indian nationalism.
Timeline
The story of Rani Lakshmibai, told in moments.
Born Manikarnika Tambe in Varanasi. Her father was a court advisor to the Peshwa of Bithur. She grew up among boys, learning to ride, fence, and shoot. Unusual for a girl in that era.
Married Maharaja Gangadhar Rao of Jhansi at about 14. She took the name Lakshmibai. Their son died as an infant. They adopted a boy, Damodar Rao.
The British East India Company annexed Jhansi under the Doctrine of Lapse, refusing to recognize the adopted heir. Lakshmibai reportedly said: "I shall not surrender my Jhansi."
Joined the Indian Rebellion against the British. She led her troops from the front, often on horseback with her adopted son strapped to her back.
Killed in battle at Gwalior. She was about 29. British officer Hugh Rose called her "the most dangerous of all the rebel leaders." She was dressed as a cavalry soldier.
In Their Own Words (3)
Although a lady, [she] was the bravest and best military leader of the rebels.
Major General Hugh Rose quoted in "What makes Rani Lakshmibai a symbol of Indian womanhood 150 years after martyrdom", Journalism Of Inclusiveness (Nov 2024), 2024
Whatever her faults in British eyes may have been, her countrymen will ever remember that she was driven by ill-treatment into rebellion and that she lived and died for her country, we cannot forget her contribution to India.'
— Colonel Malleson in Edwardes Red Year: one of two quotations to begin pt. 5, ch. 1 (p. 111); History of the Indian Mutiny was begun by John Kaye but Malleson both rewrote parts of it and completed the work.
[Rani Lakshmibai is] "personable, clever and beautiful"... "the most dangerous of all Indian leaders".
Artifacts (15)
My career and my identity has really been defined by HIV.
worlds of science and politics. === HIV/AIDS epidemic === In a 2020 interview with The Guardian, Fauci remarked, "My career and my identity has really been defined by HIV." He was one of the...
global pandemic which would then have significant implications for
and that "public health officials need to take [COVID-19] very seriously". In the latter interview, Fauci said that COVID-19 could become a "global pandemic which would then have significant...
could lead to a shortage of masks for the people who really need
not be walking around with masks", but "if you want to do it, that's fine". In the same interview, Fauci said that buying masks "could lead to a shortage of masks for the people who really need" them:...
false narrative to take comfort in a lower rate of death
ses, and was experiencing a "resurgence of infections". On July 7, 2020, during a press conference, Fauci stated that it was a "false narrative to take comfort in a lower rate of death" for COVID-19...
at this moment, there is no need to change anything that you're doing on a day-b...
uring the outbreak. Included were statements Fauci made during a February 29, 2020, interview where he stated that "at this moment, there is no need to change anything that you're doing on a...
This idea that we have the power to protect the vulnerable is total nonsense bec...
rwise healthy, are far more likely than young adults to become seriously ill if they get COVID-19." He added, "This idea that we have the power to protect the vulnerable is total nonsense because...
Fauci was the 13th most-cited scientist among the 2.5 to 3.0 million authors in ...
nfection and the scope of the body's immune responses to HIV. In 2003, the Institute for Scientific Information stated that from 1983 to 2002, "Fauci was the 13th most-cited scientist among the 2.5 to...
While NIAID is an active participant in the global effort to address the public ...
away from producing sufficient quantities of cures or vaccines for widespread trials. Specifically, Fauci said, "While NIAID is an active participant in the global effort to address the public health...
right now in the United States, people [who are not infected] should not be walk...
ten times more severe than the 0.1% reported rate for seasonal flu. In a March 8, 2020, interview, Fauci stated that "right now in the United States, people [who are not infected] should not be...
You've misconstrued that, Senator, and you've done that repetitively in the past...
Paul then asserted New York's high fatality rate showed that mitigation efforts were insufficient, Fauci replied, "You've misconstrued that, Senator, and you've done that repetitively in the past."...
a consistent spokesperson for science, a person who more than any other figure h...
articles in scientific journals." As a government scientist under seven presidents, Fauci has been described as "a consistent spokesperson for science, a person who more than any other figure has...
As we continue to expedite research while enforcing high safety and efficacy sta...
tages of understanding how infection with the Ebola virus can be treated and prevented." Fauci also remarked in the hearing: "As we continue to expedite research while enforcing high safety and...
several White House officials are concerned about the number of times Dr. Fauci ...
at Fauci "is a nice man, but he's made a lot of mistakes." By July 12, 2020, a White House official told media outlets that "several White House officials are concerned about the number of times Dr....
older adults, even those who are otherwise healthy, are far more likely than you...
of the population had underlying health conditions that made them vulnerable to the virus and that "older adults, even those who are otherwise healthy, are far more likely than young adults to become...
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