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Sepoy Sunny, one of the bloggers on this site, was last seen leaving Jhansi, along with the small contingent following Rani Laxmibai.
He has not been heard from since and we have received reports that he may have been captured by the British forces near Gwalior.
We all pray for his safety!
The struggle to oust British from India, and whatever small way this blog contributes to it, will continue.
Our hopes are now pinned on Narpat Singh of Ruya, a fearless Rajput leader of Rohilkhand. He has been doggedly battling the British and is determined to fight the enemy to the very end.
Narpat Singh’s jungle fort near the village of Ruramau, has been attacked by the 93rd Highlanders under the command of General Walpole today. Narpat’s men fought with tremendous courage and managed to kill some of the outstanding enemy officers; the most notable one being Brigadier Adrian Hope. The total casualty on the British side was more than one hundred.
We got the information that the enemy troops were very upset with the death of Adrian Hope, who was a very popular officer, and they blamed it on the inept handling of the whole affair by General Walpole. We further learnt that the Highlanders were so incensed that, had they been free to do so, they would have hanged the General on the spot!
In the mean time, Narpat Singh, finding his position unsafe, slipped away. We will always remember that he defeated the best equipped movable column in India.
Babu Kunwar Singh’s continued occupation of Azamgarh was a source of great consternation to Lord Canning, The Governor-General. who was then camping at Allahabad , immediately ordered Lord Mark Kerr, a Crimean War veteran to march against Kunwar Singh.and relieve Azamgarh. In an encounter that took place at a location fourteen kilometres short of Azamgarh on the morning of April 6, Babu Kunwar Singh’s left flank kept up an incessant fire of musketry from some buildings on the road which they had occupied. Though he had no guns, still Kunwar Singh managed to bring his army to the rear of the enemy. This sudden attack was so unexpected that it upset the plan of the enemy totally and they fell back. This was the signal for the revolutionaries to rush forward with a triumphant war cry. Kunwar Singh had, by this time, tightened his grip on the English rear so firmly that the English elephants began to run amuck. Seeing his rear endangered, Lord Mark Kerr pressed ahead and sought refuge in the entrenchment at Azamgarh .
Rani Laxmibai reached Kalpi just before midnight today. Her energy amazes even the enemy troops. It is no mean feat, even for a man, to cover a distance of 160 kilometres through this rough and rugged country. But the Rani was inexorable, showing no signs of fatigue, and storming through enemy barricades like a whirlwind.
At midnight on this day, accompanied by a small party wearing armour and carrying a dagger and two loaded revolvers, the Rani left the Jhansi fort in her white horse. Her party was attacked just as it had got out of the city and a fight ensued. In this skirmish many were killed but the Rani used her revolver skilfully and her horse galloped on .As soon as they were clear of the enemy’s scouts , the Rani took the road to Kalpi.
Jhansi 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.
Ganesh is the god of obstacle removers; with bad news coming from Betwa, we can use all the help we can.
Here is a picture of the Ganesh temple at the fort
News from Tatya Tope’s forces is that they are retreating! How can that be? They are 20,000 men strong.
Please, lord ganesh, please help us.
Today was fought the Battle of Betwa. Tatia Tope had come with his army for the assistance of the Rani of Jhansi. He had under him a large number of troops, estimated to be about 20,000.
Rose, the British commander was busy attacking Jhansi. The disconcerting news of Tatia’s approach and his having crossed the Betwa river was brought to him by a messenger. Without lifting the siege of Jhansi or slackening his fire, Rose moved out to meet Tatia Tope’s army with about 1200 men out of which only about 500 were Europeans. On this occasion, the soldiers of Tatia failed to prove their mettle. They were routed and were driven across the Betwa with a frightful loss.
Tatya Tope’s forces are engaged in a fierce battle with the British at Burwa Sagar.
We hear that the Tatya has chosen to attack in two lines and hopefully he has a plan to use the second line to help end the Jhansi fort siege.
There is some talk in the fort to burst out of the fort and attack the British while they are fighting Tatya’s forces. But the bombardment at the fort has not diminished any and frankly that worries us.
But we trust Tatya Tope. He has 28 guns with him and with enough man power, he will be able to overcome whatever obstacles he encounters.
We have just heard that Tatya Tope is at the Betwa river, and guess how strong his army is! 20,000 men! and 28 guns!
At least in Jhansi, the end for the British is near now! We are all getting ready to burst out of the fort and start fighting the British.
The siege will not last very long and victory for us is with in hand.
Of course we expected Nana Sahib to help, but we thought he might send a contingent of 4-5,000. But 20,000 men and elephants and horses, and strong guns and fresh supplies is more then what we could have hoped.
Rose’s can not contain and keep the siege on the fort and fight Tatya Tope’s army.
More as the information being available.
From what we can tell, British are using immense fire power. We have been able to confirm the following so far:
Two 24 pounders to attack the mound and the wall of the fort
Two 18-Pounders to dismantle the defenses of the Fort.
Two 10-inch Mortars
Two 8-inch Mortars and one 8-inch Howitzer to act on the mound and adjacent wall and City.
Those 18 pounders are murderous.
Here is what an 18 pounder looks like; well, they weigh 18 pounds with diameter of 5 inches. Imagine a hot ball of this size coming at you!
Have you ever seen an 18 pounder shell coming at you? When it hits the wall, things start crumbling. 24 pounders are too heavy to reach us but those 18 pounders make it through.
We are working very hard and all our guns are stable and working properly and thankfully have not seen any direct hit.
We have also been able to repair some damage and I wouldn’t say that we are answering each of the shot with one of ours, we are keeping pace with the enemy’s firepower and
Two canons need special mention:
Kadak Bijli - operated by Ghaus Khan
Bhawani Shankar - operated by Moti Bai
Moti Bai was a dance performer at the King’s palace and I tell you she is performing the dance with the canon better than she ever dance on the courtyard.
We thank you both.
I have posted a picture of the Bhavani shankar Canon here. The picture of the Kadak Bijli (strong lightening) is here.
I wished I could make you hear the deep boom these canons make when they are fired.
Here is the man we are facing.
Look at all the decorations he has around his neck - more than what the rani wears!
Something wrong in the universe when a hindu housewife woman, Laxmi Bai, Jhansi ki Rani, has to face a highly decorated war hero like Hugh Rose.
Rose has been pounding at the Jhansi fort, near the mound and our defenses are strong.
Hey Britishers, go pick on somebody of your own size, like France may be; leave Hindustan alone.
This canon is being operated by Moti Bai. Having a good working canon is very important for the defense of Jhansi.
Location of British attack in relationship to the Rani’s palace
While the battle in Jhansi continues, Babu Kunwar Singh occupied the city of Azamgarh. The British remained holed up in their entrenchment. Even though Kunwar Singh, has no guns, his reputation is such that he has managed to create apprehension and terror in the British forces. The Governor-General Lord Canning who we are told, is encamping at Allahabad has instinctively understood the military and political implication of the situation. If Kunwar Singh is left unchecked in Azamgarh, he would cut off the communication between Benares, Allahabad and Calcutta.
So, now the Governor-General has ordered Lord Mark Kerr, a Crimen war veteran, to move against Kunwar Singh.
Here is a picture of the mound where Rose’s forces are attacking. it seems that the attack is from both left and right side.
The mound is 500 yards east of the Orcha gate and half a cos (a mile from the lake.
From early in the morning today, Rose’s guns began bombardment of the city of Jhansi. But Ghulam Ghous Khan, the Chief of Rani’s artillery gave a most befitting reply. The Khan, is known for his bravery. He is also a first rate gunner. His men did a wonderful job. But it was the courage and daring of the women that left everyone astounded.
The way in which the women of Jhansi have come to the forefront of this battle is awe inspiring. They are working on the batteries and carrying ammunition, repairing the wall and bringing food and water to the troops. They are everywhere, undaunted by the danger that surrounds them
Today the town is completely invested by the British cavalry. There is tremendous excitement and frenetic activity. Will the fort protect us? We are all geared to defend the fort. The task, though is formidable.
We feel safe inside the fort of Jhansi. It is a strong fort, built of excellent and most massive masonry and is difficult if not impossible to breach. Its granite walls varies in thickness from 16 to 20 feet with small openings in the parapet of the walls, for artillery fire.
At places it has five tiers of loopholes for musketry fire. Guns placed on the high towers of the fort commands the country all around. The fort is surrounded by a fortified and massive wall up to eight feet thick and up to thirty feet high. What will tomorrow bring?
Tatya tope attacked Panna today and defeated the king easily.
You can see the the Panna Palace in the above picture. If you know the word “Heera Panna”; well, that word comes from Panna! Don’t feel sad for them.
Tatya Tope was able to gather further resources from Panna to help the Rani fight off the British.