Childhood Days of Rani Laksmi Bai

Since childhood, Manu was inclined towards the use of weapons. She thus learned horse-riding, sword fighting, and martial arts and mastered these. She was a beautiful, intelligent and brave girl. Manu spent her childhood in the company of Nana Sahib, the son of Peshwa Baji Rao II. She had great courage and presence of mind which she proved once while saving Nana Sahib from getting crushed by the horse’s feet.

Marriage with Maharaja of Jhansi

In May 1842, Manu got married to Raja Gangadhar Rao Newalkar, Maharaja of Jhansi, and was now known as Rani Lakshmi Bai. In 1851, she gave birth to Damodar Rao who died when he was just 4 months old. Thus, in 1853, Gangadhar Rao adopted a child and named him after his son, Damodar Rao. But, unfortunately, Gangadhar Rao died soon due to illness and Lord Dalhousie, the then Governor-General of India denied this adoption.