Rani Avantibai, queen of Ramgarh State in central India, is remembered for her valiant fight against the British during the 1857 War of Independence, when she made the supreme sacrifice of her life for the freedom of motherland.

The Revolt of 1857 which shook the British rule to its roots was the culmination of traditional opposition against the foreign domination of India which started with the Battle of Plassey of 1757. Millions of peasants, artisans and soldiers participated in the Revolt. The traditional ruling class consisting of the princes, zamindars, taluqdars and local chieftains who were natural leaders in the respective local contexts also played a central role in the uprising. The British officials, in their greed for wealth and power, had resorted to numerous annexations of the Indian States and confiscations of the estates of the zamindars. These blat ant annexations antagonised the local rulers and as the events of the Revolt of 1857 unfolded. they became the most dangerous opponents of the British.

Avantibai was the queen of King Vikramaditya Singh of Ramgarh. When Vikramaditya Singh became incapable of handling the affairs of the State due to ill health. Avantibai rose to the occasion and took charge of the administration. Her rule was based on fairness and justice , and she soon won the respect and appreciation of her subjects.

In 1851, Avantibai felt humiliated by the appointment of an English Tehsildar for Ramgarh. The Rani could see through the annexationist ploy of the British and vowed to win back her country. However, before she should could muster her resources for a struggle, she had to suffer a personal loss- the death of Vikramaditya  Singh.

Meanwhile, resentment against the East India Company was growing and various kings and zamindars were uniting against the common enemy. When the Revolt of 1857 broke out, Rani Avantibai raised an army of four thousand and led it herself. In the first encounter which took place in a village named Kheri, she routed the British troops. However, stung by the defeat the British came back with vengeance and launched an attack on Ramgarh. Avantibai's courage and fighting spirit was not enough to match their mighty military machine with all its brutal strength. The Rani was forced to leave Ramgarh and move to the dense forests on the hill of Devharigarh.

Surrounded and faced with the prospect of defeat Avantibai thought it better to sacrifice her life rather than to surrender. On 20th March 1858, Rani Avantibai became a martyr.

The Department of Posts is happy  to issue a postage stamp in honour of Rani Avantibai.

Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India