| Rani of Jhansi | |
|---|---|
| by Subhadra Kumari Chauhan | |
| Original title | Jhansi ki Rani |
| Country | India |
| Language | Hindi |
| Subject(s) | Rani of Jhansi |
Jhansi ki Rani is a poem written by Hindi poetess Subhadra Kumari Chauhan. The poem narrates the tale of Rani Lakshmibai and her fight against the British forces in the 1857 Indian Rebellion. The heroic poetry depicting Lakshmibai became a source of inspitation during later independence movement, getting recited on stage, during morning processions and is now part of multiple Indian education curriculum
Jhansi ki Rani is a poem based on veer ras [Wikidata] and was written during the period when Chhayavad was a prominent feature in Hindi literature The poem is written with the then Bundeli folk songs as its base, and is seen as a strong expression of Indian nationalism within the Hindi literature. It is interpreted as a tribute by the poetess to Rani Laxmibai of Jhansi.
Introduction
An emotionally charged description of the life of the queen of Jhansi(British India) and her participation in the 1857 revolution, it is often taught in schools in India. A couplet repeated at the end of each stanza reads thus:
बुंदेले हरबोलों के मुँह हमने सुनी कहानी थी,
खूब लड़ी मर्दानी वह तो झाँसी वाली रानी थी॥
Subhadra Kumari Chauhan wrote in the Khariboli dialect of Hindi, in a simple, clear style.
Summary
Every stanza of the poem ends with Chauhan recalling that she heard the story of Rani Lakshmibai from the Bundelas and their folktales. Chauhan describes that Lakshmibai was born in a family of braves, and was so herself from her childhood and had heroes like Shivaji. She got married at a young age and came to Jhansi, but later was saddened by death of her childless husband. The poetess contrasts this with Dalhousie, who was excited as it enabled him to siege Jhansi. Chauhan then proceeds to remember other great heroes who contributed in the struggle of freedom. She again contrasts and describes the condition of the contemporary royal families with that of Lakshmibai, and her friends Kana and Mandara who fought bravely and defeated Walker. She describes how they then later headed to Gwalior, but were betrayed by Scindias, which forced them to leave. Rani Lakshmibai then defeated Smith, however not long after, her horse died of injuries. However, she still managed to fight off Hugh Rose, and went ahead. Chauhan then proceeds to explain her death, saying that Lakshmibai was attacked from all the sides, which forced her horse to jump across a drain, but couldn't as the horse was new and unexperienced.
References
- "Jhansi Ki Rani 'Khoob ladi Mardani' staged". The Pioneer. 15 June 2017. Archived from the original on 20 January 2019. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
- "'खूब लड़ी मर्दानी वह तो झांसी वाली रानी थी' कविता अब स्कूलों के पाठ्यक्रम में नहीं". Dainik Bhaskar (in Hindi). 7 October 2017. Archived from the original on 20 January 2019. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
- "अगले साल से सिलेबस में लागू होगा". Dainik Bhaskar (in Hindi). 8 October 2016. Archived from the original on 20 January 2019. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
- Upādhyāya, Viśvamitra (1989). भारतीय क्रांतिकारी आन्दोलन और हिन्दी साहित्य [Indian revolutionary movement and Hindi literature] (in Hindi). Pragatiśīla Jana Prakāśana.
- Singh, Harleen (9 June 2014). The Rani of Jhansi: Gender, History, and Fable in India. India: Cambridge University Press. p. 146. ISBN 978-1-107-04280-3.
- Narain, Sushma (1966). भारतीय राष्ट्रवाद के विकास की हिन्दी-साहित्य में अभिव्यक्ति [Expression of development of Indian nationalism in Hindi literature] (in Hindi). India: Hindī Sāhitya Saṃsāra. p. 170.
- Ājakala. Vol. 59. Prakāśana Vibhāga, Paṭiyālā Hāusa. 2007. p. 6.
- Pareek, Shabdita (15 February 2016). "This Poem Capturing Jhansi Ki Rani's Bravery Is A Timeless Tribute To The Warrior Queen". ScoopWhoop. Archived from the original on 20 January 2019. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
- Rathi, Nandini (13 April 2017). "On Jallianwala Bagh anniversary, this poem by Subhadra Kumari Chauhan is a must read". The Indian Express. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
- "Poems of Bundelkhand". www.bundelkhand.in. Bundelkhand.In. Retrieved 27 June 2017.
- ^ "झांसी की रानी / सुभद्राकुमारी चौहान". Kavita Kosh. Archived from the original on 13 November 2019. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
- अग्रवाल, दीपाली. "हिंदी की वह कवयित्री जो असहयोग आंदोलन में भाग लेने वाली पहली महिला भी थीं". Amar Ujala (in Hindi). Retrieved 15 August 2021.