While most of us are aware of the contributions of Rani Lakshmibai in revolt against British oppression in 1857, there was another queen who had also fought valiantly against the imperialist power. Avanitbai or Avanti bai Lodhi was the wife of Maharaja Vikramaditya Singh, the ruler of the Ramgarh estate, which at present comes under Madhya Pradesh.
Role as administrator
Born in 1831, she was married to Prince Vikramaditya at an early age. However, when Vikramaditya became the King and could not handle the administration due to his failing health, Avantibai rose to the occasion and took charge of the affairs of state.
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Humiliation by British
After the King’s death in 1951, the British did not accept her sons Aman Singh and Sher Singh as heirs to the throne as they were minors and declared the princely state as ‘Court of Wards’ appointing their own administrator there. Britishers were then annexing the kingdoms which had no biological heir in the name of doctrine of lapse policy. In those days, such an act was considered a humiliation, Avantibai vowed to fight the British to regain her land and her throne. The queen threw the administrator out and declared war against British.
Role in revolt of 1857
She raised an army of 4,000 and personally led it against the British in 1857. Seeking to infuse patriotism and to unite, the queen wrote a strong-worded letter to the rulers of the neighboring estate. She had written, “If you think you have a duty towards our enslaved mother India, raise your swords and jump into the war against the British, otherwise wear these bangles and hide your self in houses.”
Her appeal aroused a wave of revolution in the central provinces. She was joined by the ruler of Vijayraghavgarh, Suraj Prasad, the entire northern region joined her for an armed rebellion.
In the first encounter which took place in a village named Kheri, British troops were handed a stunning defeat. However, the British came back with vengeance and launched an attack on Ramgarh. The courage of the Queen was, however, not enough to defeat the might British military. The invaders came back with full force and launched an all out military attack on Ramgarh. Avantibai was forced to move to the dense forests on the hill of Devharigarh. She later resorted to guerrilla warfare and attacked the camp of British General Waddington and dispersed his army.
The supreme sacrifice
Facing an imminent defeat, the valiant queen decided to sacrifice her life rather than going through the humiliation of surrender. On 20th March 1858, Rani Avantibai Lodhi became a martyr.
Source: Indian Revolutionaries A Comprehensive Study, 1757-1961: Volume 1 by SriKrishna Sarla
