Subhadra Kumari Chauhan (b. 16 Aug 1904– d.15 Feb 1948) A typical Indian housewife and a matured woman at sixteen parenting five children. We can imagine that how experienced she was that time. It is true that maturity comes by experience. Thus, one who travelled through several emotional phases of life. The treasured memories often make us fall in love with writing. And, hence it was Subhadra Chauhan. Despite her being mother, she took parts in Satyagrah and reasoned the first Indian female became Satyagrahi. Being a protester at the age of 20 she got arrested in Nagpur, jailed twice in the British Government.
However, her career in politics, her evolving interest of writing caught the attentions of many country lovers when she wrote a poem on Jhansi Ki Rani (queen of Jhansi during the British Empire). The poem upon reading brings emotional fearless potential in any Indian. Therefore, it pumps up the readers with the feelings of patriotism. Thus, she became the most celebrated poet in the Indian literature.
Poem “Jhansi Ki Rani” by Subhadra Chauhan (English version)
The dynasties that shook the throne had raised eyebrows, There was a new youth again in old India too. Everyone knew the price of lost freedom, Everyone had decided to run Firangi away. The sun-shone in fifty-seven, that sword was old, We heard the story from the mouth of Bundel bard, Fought gallantly, she was the Queen of Jhansi. Kanpur's maternal grandfather's sister-in-law was adorable, The name Lakshmibai, that child was the only one of the father, She used to study with Nana, she played with Nana, And was the only friend of Spear, Shield, Kirpan, Dagger. He remembered the tales of Veer Shivaji. We heard the story from the mouth of Bundel bard, Fought gallantly, she was the Queen of Jhansi. Was it Lakshmi or was it Durga, she herself was the incarnation of bravery, Seeing the Marathas would be blown away by the blows of her swords, Plenty of hunting and playing fake battle-array, Military encirclement, breaking the fort, these were her favorite games. Maharashtra-Kul-Devi, Bhavani was also her adorable, We heard the story from the mouth of Bundel bards, Fought gallantly, she was the Queen of Jhansi. The engagement with the glory of bravery took place in Jhansi, Rani Married, Became Rani Laxmibai and came to Jhansi, Greetings rang in the palace, happiness prevailed in Jhansi, She had come to Jhansi like the disgrace of Sughat Bundelas. Chitra found Arjun, Shiva got Bhavani, We heard the story from the mouth of Bundel bards, Fought gallantly, she was the Queen of Jhansi.
Poem: Jhansi Ki Rani | खूब लड़ी मर्दानी वह तो झाँसी वाली रानी थी ( In Hindi Version)
सिंहासन हिल उठे राजवंशों ने भृकुटी तानी थी, बूढ़े भारत में भी आई फिर से नयी जवानी थी, गुमी हुई आज़ादी की कीमत सबने पहचानी थी, दूर फिरंगी को करने की सबने मन में ठानी थी। चमक उठी सन सत्तावन में, वह तलवार पुरानी थी, बुंदेले हरबोलों के मुँह हमने सुनी कहानी थी, खूब लड़ी मर्दानी वह तो झाँसी वाली रानी थी॥ कानपूर के नाना की, मुँहबोली बहन छबीली थी, लक्ष्मीबाई नाम, पिता की वह संतान अकेली थी, नाना के सँग पढ़ती थी वह, नाना के सँग खेली थी, बरछी, ढाल, कृपाण, कटारी उसकी यही सहेली थी। वीर शिवाजी की गाथायें उसको याद ज़बानी थी, बुंदेले हरबोलों के मुँह हमने सुनी कहानी थी, खूब लड़ी मर्दानी वह तो झाँसी वाली रानी थी॥ लक्ष्मी थी या दुर्गा थी वह स्वयं वीरता की अवतार, देख मराठे पुलकित होते उसकी तलवारों के वार, नकली युद्ध-व्यूह की रचना और खेलना खूब शिकार, सैन्य घेरना, दुर्ग तोड़ना ये थे उसके प्रिय खिलवाड़। महाराष्ट्र-कुल-देवी उसकी भी आराध्य भवानी थी, बुंदेले हरबोलों के मुँह हमने सुनी कहानी थी, खूब लड़ी मर्दानी वह तो झाँसी वाली रानी थी॥ हुई वीरता की वैभव के साथ सगाई झाँसी में, ब्याह हुआ रानी बन आई लक्ष्मीबाई झाँसी में, राजमहल में बजी बधाई खुशियाँ छाई झाँसी में, सुघट बुंदेलों की विरुदावलि-सी वह आयी थी झांसी में। चित्रा ने अर्जुन को पाया, शिव को मिली भवानी थी, बुंदेले हरबोलों के मुँह हमने सुनी कहानी थी, खूब लड़ी मर्दानी वह तो झाँसी वाली रानी थी॥
Also, read about Patriot Evoking Poem Of Kazi Nazrul Islam, The Rebel and Kipling’s Poem: “The White Man’s Burden” On Colonial Control.
