Saturday, September 22, 2007

Friday, September 21, 2007

Eye Opener -1

Book: India's Struggle for freedom
Author: Bipin Chandra

An Eye Opener: P 32-33 [Chapter-1, The First Major Challenge: The Revolt of 1857]

"The most outstanding leader of the revolt was Rani Lakshmibai, who assumed the leadership of the sepoys at Jhansi. Lord Dalhousie, the Governor-General, had refused to allow her adopted son to succeed to the throne after her husband died and had annexed the state by the application of the Doctrine of Lapse. The Rani had tried everything to reverse the decision. She even offered to keep jhansi 'safe' for the British if they would grant her wishes. When it was clear nothing was working she joined the sepoys and, in time, became one of the most formidable enemies the British had contended with."