A fictional account of the life of Lakshmibai, the heroic warrior-queen, The Rani of Jhansi vibrantly portrays one of the bravest women in Indian history. Along with the throne, Lakshmibai inherits steep challenges she becomes a widow to a deceased king and mother to an adopted heir. Her brother-in-law aggressively contends her right to the throne, and the ominous presence of the British spells uncertainty for Jhansi s future. Meanwhile, war clouds gather as several states prepare to fight against foreign domination. A rebellion seems inevitable. Using a number of characters, some known, others invented, Prince Michael paints a compelling portrait of Maratha aristocracy and their courts in the nineteenth century, of the first nationwide struggle against the British and of Lakshmi woman, ruler and a symbol of steely courage against all odds.