New Delhi, March 22 -- These words by Rani Lakshmibai, "If defeated and killed on the field of battle, we shall surely earn eternal glory and salvation." present a case for a mindset influenced by war, sacrifice and an unquestionable sense of duty. This quote, sworn during the Indian Rebellion of 1857, stands as a symbol of resistance against colonial oppression.

In essence, the statement implies that death in battle is an honour and not a defeat. For Lakshmibai, it is better to die fighting for what is right than to live on. Even in defeat, a warrior's sacrifice is respected and commemorated for all time.

The reference to "eternal glory and salvation" is more than just physical victory. In the Indian philosophical context, dying whilst...