How is the Rani of Jhansi Memorised in the History of the Nineteenth-Century India? Selection of Historical Accounts

Abstract

The article examines the visual sources and historical first-hand accounts depicting Rani Lakshmi Bai, the queen of the princely state of Jhansi, who became a symbol of Indian resistance against British rule during the 1857–1858 struggle for freedom. The study covers the colonial period of Indian history. The paper’s main argument is that there are differences in the representation of Rani by British and Indian authors. Within their narratives, Indian writers favourably present the queen, while the British tend to show her less flattering portrayal. Concentrating on visual sources, the study analyses Rani’s figure by looking at two stages of her life: the youth and the time of the revolt. The article also focuses on the queen’s image in the contemporary political discourse. The paper is based on a qualitative approach emphasising historical perspective. Therefore, it analyses the printed materials, including archival primary sources. Based on a postcolonial literature review, the use of British and Indian sources is comparative.