Avantibai Lodhi (died 20 March 1858) was an Indian freedom fighter and the queen of Ramgarh (present-day Dindori) in Madhya Pradesh. An opponent of the British East India Company during the Indian Rebellion of 1857, information concerning her is sparse and mostly comes from folklore.
Avantibai Lodhi was born in Lodhi Rajput family on 16 August 1831 in Mankehadi village district Seoni. Her father’s name was Jujhar Singh. She was married to Prince Vikramaditya Singh Lodhi, the son of Raja Laxaman Singh of Ramgarh (present-day Dindori). She had two children Aman Singh and Sher Singh. In 1851 Raja Laxaman Singh died. Raja Vikramditya became King of Ramgarh. As a Queen she efficiently administrated state affairs. As the guardian of the minor sons, the state power came to the queen. The queen ordered the farmers of the state not to obey the instructions of the British, this reform work increased the popularity of the queen.
When the revolt of 1857 broke out, Avantibai raised and led an army of 4000.[citation needed] Her first battle with the British took place in the village of Kheri near Mandla, where she and her army were able to defeat the British forces. However, stung by the defeat the British came back with vengeance and launched an attack on Ramgarh. Avantibai moved to the hills of Devharigarh for safety. The British army set fire to Ramgarh, and turned to Devhargarh to attack the queen.Avantibai resorted to guerilla warfare to fend off the British army. She took the sword from guards sword and pierced it into herself and thus committing suicide on 20 March 1858 when facing almost certain defeat in battle.