When one thinks of South Asian leaders in the Civilization series, Mahatma Gandhi is the top name that comes to mind. He deserves the recognition, as the protests he led throughout multiple decades contributed greatly to India’s independence from British rule. Various historical leaders besides Gandhi have graced Civ, as well, and it looks like another great ruler will join them in the form of Lakshmibai. She will be released as a leader in Civilization 7 through the Right to Rule expansion, and there are various reasons behind her rightful inclusion.
India is one of the civilizations that consistently appear in all Civ games.
While Mohandas Gandhi is the most popular leader who represents the country, the games have also included the Murya Emperor Chandragupta Maurya and his grandson Ashoka, as well as former prime minister Indira Gandhi. Lakshmibai already appeared in Civilization 6 as a Great General during the Industrial Era, providing a five-point boost to Combat Strength and a one-point increase to movement of Industrial and Modern units in a two-tile proximity to her. The figure is being called up to the big leagues in Civilization 7, and her life story could provide hints as to what kind of leader she will be.
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Essential Things to Know About Civilization 7’s Upcoming Leader Lakshmibai
Lakshmibai’s Exceptional Early Life
Lakshmibai was born in 1827 as Manikarnika to a family of scholars and religious leaders in North India, with her father being an adviser to the prime minister of the Maratha Empire. According to an article in the New York Times by Alisha Haridansi Gupta, she didn’t yield to the country’s societal expectations of womanhood growing up. Apart from becoming literate at an early age, Lakshmibai also learned the skills that she would be known for as a great general and leader in Civilization: horseback riding and sword fighting.
Lakshmibai was married to a much older maharaja (king) of Jhansi named Gangadhar Rao in 1842. It was around this time that she changed her identity from Manikarnika to Lakshmibai, which is based on the Hindu goddess of fortune. Just 11 years later, her husband became gravely ill and she was tasked to take the reins of Jhansi.
By the time her husband died, Lakshmibai refused to take part in the ancient tradition of “Sati,” which required widows to be burned alive with their husbands. She stood firm as Jhansi’s Rani (queen consort).
Doctrine of Lapse: The Document that Became the Tinder of Lakshmibai’s Revolution
The couple’s son was supposed to succeed Gangadhar when he passed. Per tradition, the couple adopted a son from a relative and gave him the title of heir. The East India Company, in cooperation with the colonial efforts of the British Empire, refused to acknowledge this succession. They pointed to a “Doctrine of Lapse,” which supposedly gave a corporation to annex a kingdom that did not have a natural-born male successor. However, the Rani refused to yield Jhansi to the oppressors.
Lakshmibai: Warrior Queen
Lakshmibai tried to legally negotiate to keep her control over her kingdom, but the British Empire came out on top. Refusing to yield her Jhansi to British forces, Lakshmibai trained and rallied her troops to defend Jhansi. She fought, sword in hand, along with these soldiers and other rebel troops for over a year in the Indian Rebellion of 1857. Around a year later, opposing troops broke through the walls of Jhansi, and Lakshmibai’s army fought using their own heavy artillery. Her army was overwhelmed, and she had to flee, taking her adopted son with her. The British soldiers moved into Jhansi shortly after and killed thousands of residents in their siege.
Lakshmibai returned to battle through campaigns in Kalpi and Gwalior and her army successfully retook the latter with her troops continuing to march Eastward. A counterattack by the British General Rose overwhelmed her army, and she died in battle. The country became independent a century later, and it’s mostly thanks to leaders like Lakshmibai, who fought in the face of overwhelming oppression. Here’s to hoping that Civilization 7’s Lakshmibai exhibits the same fervor as the warrior queen of the Indian revolution.
Sid Meier’s Civilization VII
9/10
- Released
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February 11, 2025
- ESRB
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Everyone 10+ // Alcohol and Tobacco Reference, Mild Language, Mild Violence, Suggestive Themes
- Multiplayer
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Online Multiplayer