An Indian Queen Hits The Tabletop From Wargames Illustrated
June 3, 2019 by brennon
Wargames Illustrated has shown off their newest Giants In Miniature, the Indian Queen Lakshmi Bai.
She is a rather impressive individual and here's a bit of her background...
"Rani Lakshmi Bai was an Indian queen of the Jhansi region. She led her people against the occupying British who refused to recognise her status as queen and treat her people with respect.
She is most famous for her escape from a besieged fort in her capital, Jhansi. According to folklore, she jumped from the fort’s walls on her horse Badal, with Damodar Rao, her adopted infant son, on her back; they survived but the horse died. Our figure features her carrying her son.
She continued to be a major figure during the First War of Indian Independence (Indian Mutiny) and died fighting the British at the battle of Gwailor."
I love the idea of an Indian warrior queen and it would be absolutely awesome to see that scenario played out at on the tabletop where she escaped from British captivity.
Beyond using her in a Historical context I reckon she'd also be a fantastic character to use as part of a Fantastical force, or maybe even a Pulp adventure where you're heading off into a Temple Of Doom-style scenario perhaps in the midst of the jungle.
I'm sure this period of history would also be fantastic to explore in more detail too with a myriad of different gaming systems.
Will you be picking up Lakshmi Bai?
"I'm sure this period of history would also be fantastic to explore in more detail too with a myriad of different gaming systems..."
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That looks really good.
very characterful model!
Perfect for a Game of Sharp Practice. Break the Rani out of Jhansi past all the British and Company Troops would look great.
Word of Warning for anyone wanting to look into the Indian Mutiny, it’s not pleasant.
Innocent Men, Women and Children slaughtered by the Mutineers and the whole thing was sparked by a lie about Greased Cartridges. Then at the end the Mutineers were “Blown from the Guns” which is even more unpleasant than it sounds, basically you get a cannon and strap someone’s gut to the front of it and well you can figure out the rest.
The Whole thing was very nasty, the British at Cawnpore (Two Thirds Civilian) were offered a surrender and they took it only to be betrayed and attacked after they had surrendered. A Similar thing happened at Jhansi but we aren’t sure whether the Rani organised it or just let it happen.
The Spark for the whole thing was the Muslim and Hindu Troops had been told the new Enfield Cartridges were greased wit Cow and Pig Fat. They were BUT once Company Officers learned about this they sent a letter that basically informed the British Government they made perhaps the worst mistake possible at the worst time possible and could they please actually consult experienced officers in India rather than just give them new cartridges.
They changed to formula to be religiously inclusive, held an official inquiry into the matter and even changed the drill to tear with the fingers not the teeth but it didn’t stop the rumors from spreading.
A really good book on the Indian Mutiny is “Flashman in the Great Game” by George MacDonald Fraser, his books are brilliantly researched and very enjoyable. The Great Game is the name given to the struggle between Britain and Russia over Afghanistan and to some extent India.
I’ll pick her up and maybe she’ll get me to finally collect some Indian Mutiny Minis.