JHANSI : Where Bravery Reigns Supreme !

Though not so popularised as a tourist spot, Jhansi draws hordes of tourists every year.Most of the tourists are foreigners, while a majority of domestic tourists are from Bengal, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.

The fort is the main attraction here, just pay 25 paise and get an entry into it. The story behind the fort is like-Bir Singh Deo, the ruler of Bundelkhand from 1606 to 1627 built as many as 52 forts and palaces in different parts of Bundelkhand region. Jhansi being strategically located, served as a gateway to the Bundelkhand region and hence Bir Singh Deo chose to construct a fort here. The fort was also meant to be the first line of defence for Orchha, then the capital of Bundelkhand, about 16 km south of Jhansi.

After Bir Singh Deo’s death in 1627, the Mughals invaded the fort and held it till Chatrasal drove them out of the Bundelkhand region and established his suzerainty. He made Panna his capital.

An attempt by the Mughal General Mohammed Khan Bangash to overthrow Chatrasal was foiled when Bajirao of Poona came to the latter’s rescue by sending his troops. As a token of gratitude, Chatrasal gave one third of Bundelkhand region to Bajirao. Since Jhansi fell into that part, the town came under Maratha rule.

For eleven years from 1731, Jhansi was ruled by Anupgiri, a Gossain of local origin who was appointed as a nominee of the Bundelas. To him goes the credit for carrying out several improvements in the city and fort. He beautified the Laxmital Lake and constructed a city around it. Naru Shanker, the first Maratha Governor who took over the the reins of the city in 1742 made further improvements.

Raja Gangadhar Rao, who married Laxmibai was enthroned, was a popular ruler. After his death, his young widow came to power in 1854. Four years later, British troops invaded the fort and kept it under their control till 1947 when the Indian Army took over. Since 1985, the fort has been under the management of the Archaelogical Survey of India.

Close to the entrance of the fort is a massive canon, which was the biggest in the fort, and was operated by one Gulam Gaus Khan during the days of Laxmibai. A board in Hindi near the canon reads Kadak Bijli Thope, meaning the canon that thunders. Another canon in the fort known as Bhawani Shankar Thope was operated by a woman, Moti Bai.

The graves of Ghulam Gaus Khan, the Chief of Cavalry, and of Moti Bai who lost their lives fighting the British are a mute testimony not only to their valour but also to communal amity.

Close by is the Panch Mahal, named so because of having five storeys in it, where Laxmibai used to reside with Raja Gangadhar Rao. Soon after his death, she shifted to Rani Mahal, constructed in the later half of the 18th century.

Across the Mahal is the spot from where Rani Laxmibai astride her horse jumped from the fort along with her foster son, on being surrounded by British troops and rode to Kalpi.

Of the two temples within the fort, the Ganesh Mandir is near the fort’s entrance while the Shiv Mandir, which Rani Laxmibai visited every day, is a bit far away.

Faded paintings of flowers, black bucks, peacocks and other birds, can still be seen on the wood-panelled roof and walls of the darbar hall.

Broken sculptures from Dudhai Chandpur of Lalitpur district are neatly displayed in the palace. These are believed to be from the Pratihar (9th century) and Chandela (12th century) periods. Across the palace are skeletal ruins of structures that were, at one time, used as stables. When the British troops attacked the palace, they killed 50 bodyguards of the Rani here. The palace and the ruins were taken over by the Archaelogical Survey of India in 1961.

The State Museum is next on the itinerary. This magnificent building with several galleries has ancient art and sculptures, paintings, arms and ornaments, relating to Bundelkhand region, on display. Photography is permitted in the museum but for this one has to pay Rs 10.

Opposite the museum is the Laxmibai Park which has an impressive life-sized statue on a tall pillar of Rani Laxmibai astride her horse. 

Known to be the first shrine of St. Jude in whole of South-East Asia, the foundation of this shrine was laid on October 29,1956. The massive domed building was completed in a short span of time and inaugurated formally on October 27,1966 by his excellency Dr James Knox, the Apostolic Pronunceo to India.

Throughout the year, there is a constant flow of the devout to this shrine, irrespective of caste, creed or religion. During the solemn Novena and the feast of the saint in October, the shrine teems with thousands of pilgrims.

Other places worth seeing around Jhansi are Orchha (16 km), Barua Sagar (24 km), Paricha (25 km) and Datia (18 km).