The Jhansi fort is situated 100 km south of Gwalior, in Madya Pradesh. The fort stands mute witness to the bravery of Jhansi Laskhmi Bai.
Rani Lakshmi Bai, the gallant queen of Jhansi of the Bundel Khund dynasty played an important role in our country's freedom struggle. She showed exemplary courage in the battle against the British during the 1857 revolt and lost her life for the cause of freedom on June 17, 1858.
Nobody believed that Manu, a young girl from a middle class family, would become the queen of Jhansi and emerge as a historical figure. Manu, the daughter of Moropanth Thambe from Varanasi, was a beautiful, intelligent and brave child. Many astrologers predicted that the young girl would become a queen one day and rule the state. After the death of her mother, she was under the care of Peswa Bhaji Rao, a friend of her father. He gave her extensive training in martial arts and horse riding.
Raja Gangadhar Rao of Jhansi heard about Manu's skills and intelligence. He sent a message to Bhaji Rao wishing to marry Manu. After the marriage, she entered the Rajamahal and was subsequently called Rani Lakshmi Bai.
A brave fight
In 1853, Gangadhar Rao fell ill and he was persuaded to adopt a child. To ensure that the British would not contest the adoption, the Rani had it witnessed by the local British representatives. But when the Maharaja expired the claim that Damodar Rao the adopted son was the legal heir, was rejected. Lord Dalhousie, the Governor General of British India, annexed Jhansi under the Doctrine of Lapse.
The Rani, under the advice of a British lawyer, John Lang, appealed her case in London. The petitions were rejected. In an attempt to punish her the British Indian authorities confiscated her state jewels and deducted her husband's debts from her pension, and asked her to leave Jhansi fort.
But the Rani was determined to defend Jhansi. In January 1858, the British army started its advance on Jhansi and in March laid siege on the city. After two weeks of fighting the British captured the city, but the Rani managed to escape, with her adopted son strapped to her back. She took refuge in the Gwalior fort. She had two options — surrender or fight. She chose to fight. It was during the battle that followed that the Rani met her death.
Because of her courage and wisdom, and her progressive views on women's empowerment, and her sacrifices, she became an icon of the Indian nationalist movement.
The fort
Raja Bir Singhji Deo of the Bundel Khund dynasty constructed the fort at Jhansi. The fort is opened to the public every day. The wooden gate at the entrance is called the Shar Darwaza-ahuge. The giant cannon, Kadak Bijli, at the entrance, when fired is said to discharge high voltage power with the sound of a roaring lion. Hence the name. Panch Mahal is the royal palace of Raja Gangadhar Rao. The Rani Mahal is now a museum. The Ganesh and Shiv Mandirs were built by Raja Gangadhar Rao exclusively for members of the royal family to worship, but is now open to the public.
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Young World
