Who Would Jhansi Belong To?

As the country rose in revolt against the foreigners, Jhansi joined the rebellion. Lakshmi Bai in men's attire led her armies against the foreigners in her home for the rights of her son. As the swords clashed, the rulership changed in the city, but for how long?

Cover Image Caption

I am a priest in the Mahalaxmi temple here in Jhansi. It is a densely populated city with skilled and hard-working people and the temple is significant for the rulers of the place. All their ancestors have prayed here and all my ancestors have conducted those prayers. This is a city of abundance as Gods have always kept their hands on our heads in return for our good deeds.

Until recently, when these goras came to our country. They and their wicked ways have destroyed our culture and heritage. They have polluted our lands and have torn down our ancient ways of living. Since Rajaji died, Baisaheb has been looking after the realm. Though it is not a position of a woman to rule according to Shastras, she has taken the form of a Devi and come to the rescue of the people of Jhansi.

When her son comes of age, he will become our king. But then these goras came and told us that he could not because he was not the true-born heir of our Rajaji. Our Shastras allow our kings to adopt a child in case of a lack of progeny and take on their foster father's responsibilities and property. Who are these foreigners to tell us who can and who cannot become our king? They and their cunning ways to become the rulers of our land.

We the people of Jhansi have had enough. So, when our Baisaheb was humiliated at the hands of the people who are nobody for us, we were all filled with rage. Then we heard what had happened in Bengal, in Meerut and Dilli and Cawnpore. Nana Sahib was leading the Ghadar in the last city.

Jhasiwale also started preparing for the revolution to avenge the British for all the unjust they had unfolded on us and their abuses against our Baisaheb. There were whispers around the walls of the Rani Mahal as meetings were held in secrecy. On 4th June, the time had come!

The army was the first to take the swords in their hands. They launched an attack on the treasury and artillery held by the British. When the news fell on the ears of our Queen, she did not just sit in the security of her forts. Our Queen Laxmi Bai entered the battlefield, without any weapons in her hands, her infant son tied to her back and took command of the revolutionary forces.

When I saw her mounted on her horse like that, with her dear child held close to her bosom, blood in her eyes, I saw in her the goddess herself! I couldn't stop myself from bowing. She was the image of a true lioness, who had risen to protect her cub from then killers!

The rebellion soon spread around the city. The army launched their second attack on the Fort of Jhansi. Indian sipahis inside the fort also joined the rebels and the conflict began both inside and outside the fort. Soon, avenging turned into a dangerous affair. There was blood in the eyes of all as they kept killing all Britishers who came in their way. Jhansi was to be recaptured under any situation.

Now, the rebels were killing not only the gora men but also their women and children. My soul shuddered at the view! This was horrifying and impious. This was a sin. Shastras do not allow for the women to be punished by death no matter their crime. These people were bringing doom to the city. The Gods are no longer with them now!

In the coming days, they succeeded in seizing Jhansi from the British. The rebels then handed over the kingdom back to Baisaheb. Her son Damodar Rai was declared the heir to the throne. He was only an infant so Baisaheb would rule as the Queen Mother until he comes of age. The whole Jhansi echoed with the slogans of " Laksmi bai ki jai laksmi bai ki jai", "Khalak khuda ka, mulak badshah ka, hukum rani laksmi bai ka".

Baisaheb took over the rule with a great sense. She wears the clothes of men like pyjama, a coat with a pagadi, to establish her authority. She is also preparing the army if something else happens from the side of the British. Today, the green flag-wavers over the Fort of Jhansi but I am scared. What I saw happening with the white women and children is not a deed that Gods will forgive us for.

Jhansi has sinned. I hope everything turns out good in the end. I wish our Baisaheb and young Rajaji long reigns. I wish for the Gods to have mercy on us!