Enemy number one - Hugh Rose - pounding away at the Jhansi fort

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.

Canons of Jhansi defense - Bhavani Shankar Canon

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

Location of British attack in relationship to the Rani’s palace

Babu Kunwar Singh Poses a Threat to the British

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.

Jhansi siege has started. first canon fire from British heard

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.

Women of Brave Jhansi Pitch In

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

Inside the Jhansi Fort

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?

Babu Kunwar Singh’s surprise attack - brilliant

Babu Kunwar Singh, who had occupied the village of Atraulia (32 kilometers from Azamgarh) on March 17, 1858 was today defeated by Colonel Milman, the British Commandant at Azamgarh, and appeared to be retreating.

However, when Milman’s hungry troops were having their breakfast, they were suddenly attacked by Kunwar Singh. In the encounter that followed, Milman’s forces suffered a route and were driven back; first to Koelsar and then forced to retreat all the way to Azamgarh where they sought refuge in the entrenchment that the British had built there.

Rose arrives at Janis

Today Sir Hugh Rose arrived at the outskirts of Janis. We got information that he carried out an extensive reconnaissance of the town. It took him more than nine hours to gather all the information. So he knows now that there are 11,000 nationalists inside the city.

The Rani has been moving about at lightning speed, overseeing all the arrangements for battle. She has taken every conceivable step for the defence of the city keeping it in a high state of alert.

The British are flabbergasted by her flair for military leadership. She knows instinctively the right course to pursue far better than most of the other leaders.

Tatya Tope attacks kingdom of Panna

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.

Siege of Kotah continues March 1858

Siege of Kotah continues.

Elephant gate at Chanderi Fort

This is one of the strongest gates, it is unlikely that British would attack from this direction.

Even Baber, in 1528 knew not to try to breach the fort from this gate.

Talbehat Fort - 40 miles from Jhansi

A great picture of majestic fort of Tal-be-hat.

It is under siege and it is not clear if it will survive.

We might have lost Lucknow - completely

Not that we had any hope in Lucknow, but it seems like the city of Lucknow has now fallen to the British.

The picture is that of small imambara in Lucknow.

Audh is still strong and will continue to resist the British.

Chanderi Fort in it’s full glory

This is such a strong and beautiful fort, it will give us some shelter if the need be.

Rose will have to pass through this one to get to Jhansi, delaying the attack a little bit and that gives the Rani of Jhansi some more time to prepare.

All eyes are on Jhansi.

Chanderi: How memories of 1528 will shape the war against the British

In January 1528, Emperor Baber took Chanderi by storm. Rajputs defended the Chanderi fort till the last drop of their blood, literally.

Bundela Rajputs captured it back in 1586.

The garrison at Chanderi has now sworn to defend it, as it was defended by the Rajputs in 1528.

NEWS FLASH : TATYA TOPE GETS 24 GUNS FROM THE KING OF CHIRKARI

News Flash

This is awesome news! Considering that we have not had any good news in a while, this is a start.

We have heard that Tatiya Tope was able to secure 24 guns from the kingdom of Chirkari.

Let’s say that it took 11 days of persuasion by Tatya Tope for the cowardly king of Chirkari, Rajah Ratan Singh, to give in ( ha ha, he kept waiting for the British to come and save him… like British are his friend..what a fool)

Now at least he has some fire power to help the Jhansi ki Rani.

Of course he is not alone - Nana Sahib is orchestrating many of these moves and Rao Sahib is not too far behind!

Bahadur Shah Zafar found guilty of treason

Guilty of treason against what? British weren’t the sovereign during the uprising!

The prosecutor Harriott accused the King of complicity in the murders and of participation in a conspiracy to revolt.

After 21 days of fanciful mockery of a trial, the court found him guilty. In a terse finding, the court said:

The Court, on the evidence before them, are of opinion that the Prisoner Muhammad Bahadur Shah, Ex-King of Delhi, is guilty of all and every charges preferred against him.

We hear that the John Lawrence, chief comissioner for Punjab, might recommend transportation ovrseas of the ex-king.

At least the king and Zeenat Mahal’s life has been spared.

If I didn’t have Zhansi on my mind, I would talk about why this trial made absolute no sense; but we will leave that for another time.

There is a lot to be done and the king wouldn’t want us to waste a minute thinking about his wellbeing and not focus on defeating the firangis.

This is the latest picture we have of the king.

See you at Zhansi - I know the king is with us in spirit.

Daily account of preparation by Jhansi ki Rani March 9, 1858

Number of troops - about 14,000 from the population. From a small state like Jhansi this is a very high number.

And it also includes the Durga Vahini, the women’s unit.

The queen, the rani of Jhansi, will personally take charge of the troops.

Jhansi Theater March 6, 1858 - Laxmi Bai, Tatya Tope and Hugh Rose locations

Location of players during the Jhansi Run.