During the Revolt of 1857, the rebels of Ramgarh state (in present-day Madhya Pradesh) were led by:

During the Revolt of 1857, the rebels of Ramgarh (in the Mandla region of present-day Madhya Pradesh, now in Dindori district) were led by Rani Avantibai Lodhi.

About Rani Avantibai:

• She was born in 1831, in a Lodhi Rajput family, in the Seoni district.
• She was married to Vikramaditya Singh Lodhi, the Raja of Ramgarh.
• When her husband became ill and unable to rule, she managed the affairs of the state.
• After his death, the British placed the state under the Court of Wards (under British management), as her sons were minors, and appointed an administrator.
• She resented this British interference and the removal of her authority.

Her role in the Revolt:

• In 1857, she took control of Ramgarh and expelled the British officials.
• She raised an army of about 4,000 soldiers and appealed to neighbouring chiefs and landlords to join her.
• She fought the British forces in the Mandla region, and won some early battles.
• When the British attacked with a large force, she retreated into the forests of Devhargarh and continued guerrilla warfare.

Her death:

• In March 1858, when she was surrounded by British forces and about to be captured, she took her own life with her sword, rather than surrender.
• She is remembered as a heroine of the Revolt, especially in Madhya Pradesh.
• A postage stamp was issued in her honour.

Other women of the Revolt:

• Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi.
• Begum Hazrat Mahal of Awadh.
• Jhalkari Bai, a soldier in the army of Jhansi.
• Uda Devi, who fought at Lucknow.

Why not the other options?

• ✗Rani Lakshmibai was the Rani of Jhansi.
• ✗Begum Hazrat Mahal led the rebels at Lucknow.
• ✗Rani Durgavati of Gondwana fought the Mughals in the 16th century.