Rani Lakshmibai was born on 19 November 1828 in Varanasi. She was named Mnaikarnika. She was married to the Maharaja of Jhansi, Raja Gangadhar Rao Newalkar, in May 1842 and afterwards called Lakshmibai (or Laxmibai) in honour of the Hindu goddess Lakshmi. She was one of the leading warriors of the India's first struggle for independence.