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The Brave Soldiers of Jhansi
April 3Jhansi was captured by the British forces on this day and was sacked. No mercy was asked for and none was given. There was mayhem all around. But the valour with which the Rani’s troops fought will be remembered for a long time. Fifty men of Rani’s bodyguard, in particular, displayed conspicuous heroism. They were holed up in a stable and driven from there by bayonets, but unfazed, they retreated behind some houses, still firing and fighting with their swords in both hands till they were shot or bayoneted. Even in their death throes, they were slashing madly with their swords at their British assailants inflicting mortal injuries to them.
Author Subedar Gautam Gupta
Jhansi ’s garrison was composed of 10,000 Bhundelas and Vilayati mercenaries, 1500 sephai and was equipped with at least 38 guns of various calibre.
On arrival at Jhansi Sir Hugh Rose issued a proclamation to the townspeople of Jhansi to quit the town before the seige began. He allowed the northern gate to be loosly guarded so that any refugees from the seige could leave and it has been suggested that it gave egress to Rani Lakshmi Bai.
It is ironic that the defeat of Tatia Tope provided enough powder for the British to continue the seige to such good effect, as powder stocks had been running low and there was uncertainty that the seige could contine with what was remaining.
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