RANI, the consort of a Ilindu raja or rana, a queen. The Queen-Empress of India is known in India by the Hindu title rani, and by the Afuhaiii inadan title malikah. As Queen-Empress, tho title should be maharani. 3fany towns are called after the rani. Raniah was founded by Rai Singh of Bikanir, and named after his rani, to whom it was assigned. It was taken by Imam Afahmild. Several of the rani of India have been famed. The rani of Jhansi was the widow of a Bundela chief called Gungadhar Rao, who died in 1854, havin„0. adopted a son. But I,ord Dalhousie de clared the Jhansi State' a lapse, and when the revolt and rebellion of 1857 occurred, she insti gated the native regiments there to rise, and the British officers souglit refuge in the fort. Unable to hold out, they capitulated on terms, but, with one exception, the sepoys destroyed man, woman, and child. The rani then reassumed sovereign
power, dug up cannon, and assembled an army of 14,000 men but Sir Hugh Rose opened fire against the Place on the 25th April 1858. It was stoutly defended, even women aiding, but the town and fort fell on tho second and third days ; the rani fled to Calpec, Gwalior, aud Sipri in succession, and fell in, action at 3forar on the 17th June 1858. She was energetic and able.
Rani Chanda, one of the inferior wives of Ilanjit Singh, chief of the Sikh kingdom, and mother of the maharaja Dhuleep Singh. She was the sister of Juwahlr Singh. She proclaimed Dhuleep Singh sovereign in 1813, and *owned regency. From this she vita removed by Lord Harding°, but she continued to Intrigue, and she waft removed to Benares, fnnn which, howeier, sho fled to Nepal, where Abe died.