History may have overlooked her great beauty, her cascading hair that fell to her thighs - hair that was kept at bay as she took the male mantle of a ruler upon her shoulders. However, an exponent of Hindu Tantra will recognize and bow before the Tantra energy of this woman.

She is the woman who proves that feminism then was not the same concept as we know it today. At that time, this Tantric avatar of a woman did not charge in battle to prove anything to anyone about her abilities as a woman.

She did what she, a woman of great responsibility and innate Tantric power, knew she had to do - fight for her people. This is true power … the power that does not need to be shown, but shines through of its own accord. It is the very essence of ancient Tantra in powerful, fluid and dynamic motion.

Yes, Rani Laxmibai was a true Tantra Goddess, fuelled by largely unfulfilled desires that she translated into a flawless act of Tantra love onto the battlefield. She had only just been married when her husband passed away, leaving her unloved and childless.

According to Tantra philosophy, a virgin is to be worshipped - and not without good reason. A woman can best utilize her power if her sensual divine is left untapped. A virgin girl who has never had relief from her erotic desires has the power to transform those desires into whatever she wants. For Rani Laxmibai, her untapped erotic power turned into zeal to protect her kingdom and country.

When left without any semblance of a family life, Rani Laxmibai turned to those considerations that could keep her life together - her kingdom and her people. It would not be completely accurate to say that her life at that time was devoid of any intimate relations, but fulfilment was elusive. Her maternal core adopted her people and ruled them with love and care.

In Tantra philosophy, it is understood that a woman is a passive-active force, while a man is active-passive force, and so they balance out very well. The degrees of intensity vary from woman to woman - but for Rani Laxmibai, it was high … and that is this intensity she displayed on the battlefield.

Tantra philosophy shows how sensual energy - the strongest manifesting energy we have - can create a Tantra Goddess out of any woman and bring a man in touch with his creative feminine side. If you need an example of true Tantra manifestation - the epitome of a sensual Goddess coming into her own with her power - look no further than the Rani of Jhansi, Rani Laxmibai.