About:
Dr. Bharatkumar Bhate is M.S. General Surgeon (Gold Medalist) by qualification with an experience of 30,000+ operations and is based at Rajkot, Gujarat. He is an avid reader and a passionate writer. In this blog, he shares his travel experiences and creative writings.
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Blog:
M.P. Tour : Chapter 3:
Jhansi fort.
The historic city of Jhansi (situated in Uttar Pradesh), known as the Gateway to Bundelkhand, is popular for its forts, temples, architecture & art.
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The fort ranks amongst the best fortified areas in India. The museum inside the fort has sculptures that give a clear idea of the history of Bundelkhand.
The construction of the Jhansi fort is ascribed to the Bundela Rajput chief Vir Singh Deo of Orchha, who constructed it in the year 1613. It is one of the strongholds of the Bundelas.
In 1728, Mohammed Khan Bangash attacked Maharaja Chhatrasal of Orchha. Maratha Peshwa Bajirao helped Maharaja Chhatrasal and defeated the Mughal army. As a mark of gratitude, Maharaja Chhatrasal offered his daughter Mastani and a part of his state, which included Jhansi, to Peshwa Bajirao.
Jhansi then became a princely state of the Maratha Empire, who, for administration, appointed a 'Subedar' at Jhansi. Raghunath Rao II Newalkar was appointed as the Subedar of Jhansi in 1769. He was a very able administrator who is credited for increasing the revenue of the state. He built both the Maha-Lakshmi Temple and the Raghunath Temple. Maharaja Gangadhar Rao Newalkar was the fifth generation of this family, and he married Princess Manikarnika of the Princely state of Banaras in 1828. Manikarnika was given a new name 'Laxmibai' after marriage.
Few important qualities learnt about Queen Laxmibai's bravery and generosity are as under:
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(2) Most of the time, she was dressed like a soldier. She discontinued wearing ornaments, especially 'nathani' after the death of her husband.
(3) There is one place in the fort where hard core criminals were hanged to death. One day, Manikarnika was going to a temple and saw a hanging dead body of a criminal. She felt distressed. She requested her husband to cancel the punishment of 'hanging to death' in Jhansi state. Her request was immediately granted and implemented. This portion of the fort is well preserved.
(4) At dawn, she used to exercise including 'Malkhamb', horse riding and practice the swords with both hands.
(5) She was sitting beside her husband in the political meeting hall.
Laxmibai gave birth to a son who was named Damodar Rao. Unfortunately, the child died four months after the birth due to an illness. Maharaja Gangadhar Rao could not bear this impact and fell sick to become bed ridden. He adopted a son of his cousin, who was renamed Damodar Rao.The adoption ceremony was done in the presence of the British Political Officer, who was given a letter from the Maharaja instructing that the child be treated with respect and that the state of Jhansi would be administered by his widow after his death. The Maharaja died on the very next day.
Governor-General Lord Dalhousie however applied the Doctrine of Lapse, rejecting Damodar Rao's claim to the throne and annexed the state of Jhansi to the British territories. In March 1854, Rani Lakshmibai was offered an annual pension of Rs. 60,000 and ordered to leave the Palace and the Fort. When she was informed of this, she cried out "Main apni Jhansi nahi doongi" (I shall not surrender my Jhansi).
History of the war against the British in 1857 is very interesting but requires a separate blog. However, I will mention few important incidents here.
Rani Laxmibai realised at one stage of the war that it was impossible to save Jhansi. So, she decided to escape and join the troops of Tatya Tope. At night on April 4, 1858, she decided to escape. Jhalkari Bai played a very crucial role during the Battle of Jhansi. She disguised herself as queen Rani Lakshmi Bai and fought to let the queen escape safely from the fort. This brave lady soldier had dressed like Laxmibai and fought bravely till her death. The Queen tied her adopted son Damodar on her back and jumped from height of 100 feet on horse 'Badal'. Both Rani and son Damodar survived but brave horse Badal died. This reminded me of the Chetak horse of Rana Pratap. I have seen samadhi of Chetak at Haldi-Ghati. This take off point in the fort is to be visited with due respect to queen, her horse and Jhalkari Bai
Tatya Tope himself was not in good condition to help her. So Rani Lakshmibai rushed to Gwalior. However 'Scindia' betrayed her and helped the British army in killing her.
Two more interesting stories heard at Jhansi were:
(1) As Scindia betrayed Laxmibai and helped the British in killing her, no girl from Jhansi was getting married to boys from Gwalior. This tradition is now relaxed but still Gwalior boys are never the first choice for Jhansi girls.
(2) If a girl is born in Jhansi, her real or nickname is kept as Jhalkari Bai.
Apart from historical stories, it is indeed a magnificent place to visit. A good view of the city is available from the mountain. Historical museum is also worth visiting.
A light and sound show at 7-30 pm with historical commentary is outstanding and worth attending.
Watch videos of Light & Sound show at:
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We proceeded for Orchha with good memories of Jhansi.
Have a nice time, friends.
Dr. Bharat Bhate