Jhansi
Laxmibai Rani
The great heroine of the First war of India Freedom.
She lived for only twenty-two years. She became a widow
in her eighteenth year. Jhansi, of which she was the
queen, was in the grip of the cunning, cruel British.
She was the embodiment of patriotism, self-respect and
heroism. She was the queen of a small state, but the
empress of a limitless empire of glory.
It was one evening after the rainy season. Outside Bethur,
along the road on the banks of Ganga, three horses were
galloping. Two riders were young men and one a girl.
The Story Of Jhansi --- Jhansi is now the headquarters
of a district in Uttar Pradesh. There were two conditions
in the treaty between the British and the Raja of Jhansi
– the first, that, whenever the British needed help
Jhansi should help them, and, the second, that the consent
of the British was necessary to decide who should be
the ruler of Jhansi. So the seed of total ruin was sown.
In 1838 the British appointed Gangadhar Rao as the Raja.
The former Raja Raghunath Rao had left the treasury
empty. The administration had collapsed and the people
had no place. Gangadhar Rao quickly set right everything.
The place acquired more cattle, elephant and horses.
The armoury was well stocked with arms and ammunition.
The army had five thousand infantry and five hundred
cavalry; and these were supported by artillery. |
Keladi
Chennamma
She ruled over a small state, Keladi, for twenty five
years (1671-1696), but proved herself a great and heroic
queen. She protected the kingdom when her husband failed
in his duty. And she faced the wrath of the mighty Aurangazeb,
and gave shelter to Rajaram, Shivaji's son.
She was the Queen of an ancient State. She had no husband.
Still she fought with the many foes around and freed the
kingdom from several dangers. But soon she had to face
another danger. |