Indian women in the 18th and 19th centuries rose to British the occasion and proved their courage of conviction and hidden ability to fight out the injustice done to them either by the people around them or the British rulers. They never gave up their struggle until they had accomplished their mission. Rani Rashmoni (1793-1861) of Kolkata was one such brave woman whose fighting qualities put her in good stride when facing adverse situations in her eventful life.

Early life

   Born on 28 September 1793 into a Zamindar family in Kona village, in present-day North 24 Parganas, she was brought up with love and care by her family Her father was Zamindar Harekrishna Das of Mahishya family. When she was just eleven years old, as it was a custom in those days among the Hindus, her father gave her in marriage to one Babu Rajachandra Das of Janbazar, Kolkata, another wealthy Zamindar.

   When she was into the prime of....