The name of Rani Avantibai of Ramgarh State, today in Mandala district, Madhya Pradesh, will be remembered among the valiant women who sacrificed their lives in the 1857 War of Independence.

Avantibai was the daughter of Rao Jujhar Singh, the jagirdar of Mankeri in Shivani district. She was married to Vikramaditya Singh, the grandson of Gaj Singh, the King of Ramgarh. Vikramaditya Singh was initially an  able and efficient administrator, but instead of managing state affairs he became involved in religious congregations and activities. His two sons, Sher Singh and Aman Singh were minors when Vikramaditya Singh became incapable of hand­ ling state affairs due to ill-health. The responsibility of the state fell on Rani Avantibai's shoulders.

In 1851, Avantibai felt humiliated by the appointment of an Enalish Tehsildar to look after the affairs of Ramgarh State against her wishes. She vowed to win back her land from the  English.  Meanwhile  Vikramaditya  Singh passed away. Various kings and jamindars in the country began uniting against the English. Avantibai also raised an army of about four thousand and led it herself during 1857. With the intention of capturing Mandala, the Rani marshalled her troops in a village named Kheri. In this, her first encounter with the English army, the English commander Wadington was defeated. Wadington  attacked1 Ramgarh. The Rani left Ramgarh, moving with her army to the dense forests on the hill  of Devharigarh. The English army surrounded this hill. In the fierce battle which followed Rani Avantibai could not hold out for long against the huge and well­ equipped English army despite her courage and skill.

Surrounded and faced with the prospect of defeat Avantibai thought it better to sacrifice he life than to surrender, and on 20th March, 1858, Rani Avantibai became a martyr.

Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India