Rani Avantibai 2001
A commemorative postage stamp on Rani Avanti Bai, a Lodhi queen from Ramgarh, Madhya Pradesh :
Issued by India
Issued on Sep 19, 2001
Issued for : The Department of Posts is happy to issue a postage stamp in honour of Rani Avantibai.
Credits :
Stamp & FDC : Suresh Kumar
Cancellation : Alka Sharma
Type : Stamp, Mint Condition
Colour : Four Colour
Denomination : 400 Paise
Overall size : 2.90 x 3.91 cms.
Printing Size : 2.54 x 3.55 cms.
Perforation : 13 x 13
Paper : Imported un w/m stamp paper
Stamps Printed : 0.4 million
Number per issue sheet : 40
Printing Process : Photo Offset
Printer : Eagle Press Pvt. Ltd.
Name : Avanti Bai Lodhi
Born on Aug 16, 1831 at Dindori, Madhya Pradesh, India
Died on Mar 20, 1858 at Devhargarh hill, Madhya Pradesh, India
About :
- 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 restored to numerous annexations of the Indian States and confiscations of the estates of the zamindars. These blatant 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 moved to 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.
- Text : Based on material furnished by the sponsors.
