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Jhansi, the gateway to Bundelkhand, was a stronghold of the Chandela kings but lost its importance after the eclipse of the dynasty in the 11th century. It rose to prominence again in the 17th century under Raja Bir Singh Deo who was a close associate of the Mughal Emperor Jahangir. However, its greatest claim to fame is its fiery queen Rani Laxmibai, who led forces against the British in 1857, sacrificing her life to the cause of Indian independence. A new dimension has been added to this historic city with the introduction of the Jhansi Festival, held every year in February-March. It offers a fine opportunity to enjoy the arts, crafts and culture of the region. The Rani of Jhansi
Statues of Rani Jhansi in this heroic pose stand all over northern India. For many in the Independence movement, she was Indias Joan of Arc; a martyr and icon whose example set in motion the freedom struggle that eventually rid the subcontinent to its colonial rulers.
Air Nearest airport is Gwalior Airport 98 km. Rail Jhansi is well connected by an excellent railway network. Shatabadi Express (2001/2002) is one of the fastest luxury trains in India, provides the easiest access to the Jhansi from important stations between Delhi and Bhopal. Other important rail services to Jhansi are:
Road Jhansi, on National Highway No. 25 and 26, is linked by a good network of roads. Some major road distances are: Agra 221 km.; Khajuraho 176 km.; Datia 28 km.; Shivpuri 100 km.; Kalpi 142 km; Gorakhpur 563 km.; Lucknow 297 km.; Kanpur 220 km.; Lalitpur 93 km.; Delhi 414 km. Jhansi Fort
Government Museum, Jhansi
Weapons, statues, dresses and
photographs that represents the Chandela dynasty and a picture gallery
of the Gupta period are the highlights. There are also terracotta's,
bronzes, manuscripts, paintings and coins. Closed on Mondays and
second Saturday of every month. Rani Mahal The palace of Rani Laxmi Bai has now been converted into a museum. It houses a collection of archaeological remains of the period between 9th and 12th centuries AD. Other Places of Interest Laxmi Tal, Gangadhar Rao-Ki-Chhatri, Shri Kali Temple, Laxmi Bai Park. |
Rani Lakshmi Bai, better known as the
Rani, or queen,
of Jhansi was one of the great nationalist heroines of
pre-independence India. Born the daughter of a Benares brahmin, she
was married off to Raja Gangadhar of Jhansi, but never bore him
children a fact exploited by
the British to force her and her adopted baby son into retirement in
1853. The Rani retaliated in
1857, the year of "Mutiny", by leading her personal bodyguard of five
hundred Afghan-Pathan warriors to seize Jhansi fort. The British
dispatched troops to see off the insurgents, but took seventeen days
to blow a beach in the walls of the citadel. Three days of fierce
hand-to-hand fighting ensued, in which five thousand soldiers were
killed. With her son strapped tightly to her back, the Rani somehow
managed to slip through the
British net and rejoin the main rebel army at Gwalior, where she rode
to her death, dressed as a man using her sword with both hands and
holding the reins of her horse in her mouth".
The 17th century fort was
made by Raja Bir Singh
on top of a hill as an army stronghold. The Karak Bijli tank is within
the fort. There is also a museum which has a collection of sculpture
and provides an insight into the history of Bundelkhand.