१८५७ का स्वातन्त्र्य समर (वीर विनायक दामोदर सावरकर - अंग्रेजों द्वारा छपने से पूर्व प्रतिबन्धित महाग्रन्थ)

Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi was only eighteen years of
age when the responsibilities of the State fell on her
shoulders on the death of her husband Gangadhar Rao.
Filled with deep resentment at the conduct of the British
authorities in annexing the State of Jhansi, and at the many
wrongs done to her later, the Rani openly declared before
the British Resident that she would "never give up Jhansi".
Then, at the first call of the War of Indian Independence in
1857, against the British, she took to horse, and, for months
in male attire, headed bands, squadrons and at length the
formidable corps of the Mahrattas, until she became, in her
way, another Joan of Arc to her frenzied and fierce follo-
wers. It was admitted by the British that her unbounded
liberality to her troops, and her fortitude which no reverses
could shake, rendered her an influential and dangerous
adversary.
A rare picture of RANI LAKSHMIBAI by a court-artist at
Jhansi showing her before she became a widow.
THE WARRIOR RANI LAKSHMIBAI OF JHANSI
From an old painting
"She was the bravest and best man on the side of the Mutineers."
— Sir Huge Rose