When the day is done, the lights turn soft and dreamland is calling
We long to read something special, a tale evergreen and enthralling;
Something that tickles hearts and minds, and sets imagination ablaze
Something with songs, books, poems, plays and movies in its praise.
What can we add to what’s been said? Well, here’s our humble try –
Let’s gather close to hear once more the legend of Rani Lakshmibai;
Varanasi was the city where baby Manikarnika let out her first cry
Her family pampered her, she was the apple of their eye.
She lost her mother young, and was brought up by her dear father
He worked for the Peshwa who too had a deep fondness for her;
Since Manikarnika was brought up with the boys from royalty
She was trained in fighting wars and commanding armies easily.
She grew up to be brave and beautiful and married a Maharaja
And was renamed “Lakshmibai” in a tradition uniquely Maratha;
They soon had a baby boy, but he passed away very young
The parents were heartbroken, the pain too deeply stung.
Soon after, the Maharaja also died, leaving Jhansi in her care
But before he passed away, he adopted a young boy as his heir;
Enter the British with the “Doctrine of Lapse” and their games sly
They claimed to own Jhansi, denying the rights of the young boy.
At first Queen Lakshmibai tried to use reason and legal recourse
The British did not listen so she knew she had to use force;
“I will not surrender my Jhansi” was her unforgettable battle cry
As she took on the foreign occupants who were bleeding India dry.
She was not alone, for in the year 1857 the spark was truly lit
And the Indians finally rose up to fight against the occupying Brits;
On the day of the final battle, Lakshmibai’s bravery was on display
When defeat seemed imminent, she escaped to fight another day.
She strapped her son to her body, her loyal Badal neighed closeby
Badal plunged from the fort wall, knowing fully well he might die;
Bidding him a quick goodbye the Queen walked instead of riding
Alas, she did not make it far before she was caught in firefighting.
She fought well but eventually was shot and injured by the enemy,
She lives on still, brave and free, in the nation’s collective memory.
