Rani Avanti Bai Lodhi (1831–1858)

•    Rani Avanti Bai Lodhi (1831–1858) was an important woman leader of the Revolt of 1857, associated with Ramgarh in present-day Madhya Pradesh.

• Birth: 16 August 1831, Manakehni village, Seoni district, Madhya Pradesh.
• Family: Daughter of Rao Jujhar Singh, a zamindar.
• Marriage: Married Vikramaditya Singh, son of Ramgarh ruler King Lakshman Singh.
• Ramgarh: After Vikramaditya Singh became ruler but remained ill, Avanti Bai took over the administration.
• British Intervention: The British declared her husband incapable and her sons Aman Singh and Sher Singh minors, bringing Ramgarh under the Court of Wards.
• Resistance: She expelled the British-appointed officials and resumed administration of Ramgarh.
• Revolt of 1857: She mobilised local rulers, zamindars and malguzars against British rule.
• Khairi Battle: On 23 November 1857, her forces defeated the army of Waddington, the then Deputy Commissioner of Mandla.
• Death: In March 1858, while surrounded by British forces, she chose self-sacrifice rather than capture.
• Legacy: Remembered for courage, leadership, resistance to colonial rule and sacrifice.

Prelims Trap

Rani Avanti Bai Lodhi → Ramgarh → Mandla region → Revolt of 1857 → Madhya Pradesh

Prelims Question — English

Q. With reference to Rani Avanti Bai Lodhi, consider the following statements:

1. She was associated with the Ramgarh princely state in present-day Madhya Pradesh.
2. She played an important role in the Revolt of 1857.
3. She defeated the British forces under Waddington at the Battle of Khairi.
4. She was associated with Jhansi during the Revolt of 1857.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1, 2 and 3 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: (b) 1, 2 and 3 only

Explanation: Rani Avanti Bai Lodhi was the queen of Ramgarh and a prominent leader in the 1857 uprising in the Mandla region. She defeated Waddington’s forces at Khairi. She was not associated with Jhansi; Jhansi was associated with Rani Lakshmibai.