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Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi

probably ca. 1860
Not on view
This print celebrates Lakshmibai, the queen (rani) of Jhansi, a princely state in Uttar Pradesh. Lakshmibai led an armed revolt against British rule as part of the Indian Rebellion of 1857. Her multiple encounters with British forces are well documented, as was her death while defending Gwalior Fort in June 1858. This extraordinary print was produced soon after. The print depicts the queen dressed in male attire. She is accompanied by her son, Damodar Rao (at far right), and her general, Khuda Bakhsh Basharat Ali. Her beloved stallion, Badal, stands behind. A cartouche contains the artist’s name and the year 1856, which likely refers to the event depicted, not the date the print was made. In the politically charged atmosphere following the Indian Rebellion, this print would have been seen by the British censors as highly subversive.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi
  • Artist: Becheram Das Datta
  • Date: probably ca. 1860
  • Culture: West Bengal, Kolkata
  • Medium: Lithograph with watercolor on paper
  • Dimensions: Sheet: 11 1/8 × 16 3/8 in. (28.3 × 41.6 cm)
  • Classification: Prints
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Friends of Asian Art Gifts, 2020
  • Object Number: 2020.12
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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