March 6th
The kingdom of Chirkari is about 800 sq. miles and the king is the Raja Ratan Singh.
Tatya Tope is fighting with him as we speak and Ratan Singh being a loyal puppy to the british, refuses to help the nationalist forces.
Tatya is not looking to take over Chirkari, all Tatya needs is provisions for the troops.
The worst part is that he is no match for Tatya Tope. Tatya has limited number of sepoys with him but unless British send some reinforcements to Chirkari, Ratan Singh is a goner.
Ratan Singh thinks that he has been a good servant of British since June 1857, so British will reward him - what a naive little guy! They don’t care about him. British are after Jhansi and Gwaliror and after that they will annex Chirkari.
Tails British win, Heads, Chirkari and Ratan loses!
Author Sepoy Sunny Kalara
March 6th
As additional information becomes available, we will keep you posted.
Current news:
Six large guns have been constructed and ready for action.
Carriages for these guns are in the course of construction and expected to be completed any day now.
We know that the a significant amount of saltpetre has been ordered from Gwalior.
Author Sepoy Sunny Kalara
March 4th
Fierce battle at the Madanpur pass is taking place as we speak.
We will bring you the current news as they become available.
Hugh Rose has been moving towards Jhansi from that route.
You can see the placement of the Madanpur pass here.
Author Sepoy Sunny Kalara
March 3rd
We hear that Tatiya Tope is on attack at Chirkari. It is an important battle, not because we want Chirkari, but we are running out of guns and other resources. Chirkari has horded a lot and we need them.
He has about 1000 sepoys with him and we believe he has four guns and 200 cavalry men.
I don’t have a full understanding of what Nana Sahib and Tatya Tope are doing but we do know that they are vigorously following a grand plan.
I hope it succeeds. - As I have said before
In Tatya Tope we Trust.
Author Sepoy Sunny Kalara
March 2nd
Malthone pass is a formidable one and Rose will have difficulty crossing it.
Some of the nationalist sepoys are concentrating their efforts for a battle at Malthone.
We might be able to stop Hugh Rose in Malthone and give Jhansi ki Rani some extra time to fortify her position.
Author Sepoy Sunny Kalara
February 29th
Rose is very close to Madanpur and it seems that he is making solid strides. At this rate, expect him to be in Jhansi on 5th or 6th March 1858.
Are you ready?
Author Sepoy Sunny Kalara
February 29th
Jhansi ki Rani has a women’s army unit in her army and is appropriately called ‘Durga vahini”. Durga represents the warrior aspect of woman’s spirit and vahini means carrier.
Jhansi Ki Rani appointed Jhalkari Bai to lead the Durga Vahini
The Durga vahini’s bravery is unquestioned and the unit has been as effective as a unit with all men.
I would like to but I am not at liberty to tell you the strength of the Durga Vahini, What I can tell you is that the Rani herself has urged women, many of them are widowed, to take up arms against British rather than sulking in the house.
Jhalkari’s husband Poonam Koree is employed as a canon operator for the front Jhansi gate.
We have not had the good fortune to see Jhansi ki Rani in person or Jhalkari Bai in person for that matter. But it is claimed that they both look alike.
We are happy that the queen is being protected.
Author Sepoy Sunny Kalara
February 26th
The letter by Jhansi ki Rani to raja of Banpur.
To Shri Maharaj Kuma, Shri Maharaja Dhiraj, Shri Raaj Mardan Singh Bahadur, Rani Laxmibat says that she wishes that your news is good. The news here is good. And your letter, carried by Dularelal, has arrived and thus I came to know of your state of affairs. You wrote that you are engaged in the preparation of the army/troops. That pleased my heart. Our opinion is that there ought not to be rule of foreigners in Bharat/India. And I have great confidence/trust/faith in you. And we are preparing our troops/forces. It is very important to fight the English. Please write and let us know your news. Date,place.(Samvat 1914, Camp Jhansi).
Author Sepoy Sunny Kalara
February 22nd
All eyes are toward Jhansi!
comparatively it is a small place, it is surrounded by other kingdoms that are, let’s just say, not very friendly, but there is still some hope that Jhansi might be able to beat the British.
Here are some of the reasons:
(i) Rani Laxmi Bai, is a very inspiring leader and people in Jhansi respect her.
(ii) Jhansi has spent almost all of the last decade fighting against either the Orchha or some other neighboring state and has known how to survive long wars.
(iii) Many of the soldiers in Jhasni are mutineers from the last year and they know that surrender means death by canons.
(iv) Jhasni has British rule and there is a great resentment that the British did not follow the traditions and customs of the land.
(v) As a mother, Laxmi Bai knows that this is her last chance to secure a future for her (adopted) son.
We are all praying for her and ready to help her in any way we can.
At this rate, expect the British to reach Jhansi by March 7 or March 9.
Since there are no British to be rescued, chances are they will take their time and reach Jhansi a little after March 12th - that’s my guess.
Author Sepoy Sunny Kalara
February 20th
We have some very sad news to report. Raja Nahar Singh has hanged to death on January 9, 1858
Raja Nahar Singh was the ruler of the small state of Ballabhgarh (Faridabad). Nahar Singh was a strong supporter of Hindu-muslim unity to fight “goras”.
Nahar Singh tried to bring together all the neighboring rulers, especially Begum Samaroo of Gurgaon, Nawabs of Jhajjar, Farrukh Nagar and Rewari. He organised a secret’ meeting in the fort of Mukteshwar.
At the time of Kartik mela in 1857 which was attended, among others by Tatya Tope. Emperor Bahadur Shah 11 had appointed Raja Nahar Slngh as the Internal Administrator of Delhi.
Raja Nahar Singh had tirelessly organised the neighbouring princes and chieftains during the uprising.
He was caputred by deceit and trickery by British - so what is new?
Funny thing is that British chose 9th January because it was Nahar Singh’s birthday!
The rajah came and stood near the hanging gibbet. Accompanying the Raja were three trusted companions - Kushal Singh, Gulab Singh and Bhura Singh. These four heroes from Ballabhgarh, guilty of the crime of patriotism and serving their country, stood side by side on the hangman’s platform.
The people of Delhi were watching this heart-breaking scene with grief and sadness. On Raja Nahar Singh’s countenance there was no dullness, but a glow that troubled the enemy and cast a shadow on their faces. The time set for the hanging arrived, and Hudson lowered his head and asked the Raja for his last wish.
The Raja replied firmly ” I have nothing to ask of you. You may tell this to these fearful onlookers, that my message is that I am leaving a spark among you, never let it go out. The honour of our nation is now in your hands”. Hudson advised the Rajah that he could not convey this message to the onlookers.
We saluate you Raja Nahar Singh, Kushal Singh, Gulab Singh and Bhura Singh!
Here is another Picture of Raja Nahar Singh:
An arial view of the palace of the King is:
We will always remember your bravery, Raja Nahar Singh.
Author Sepoy Sunny Kalara
February 19th
A letter from Gopal Rao, record keeper of Jhansi, to major Erskine dated 16 Jan 1858
The most important news is that Nana Saheb has a vakil in Jhansi and the Queen of Jhansi has one in Kalpi as well. The Queen has complete arrangements for the reception of Nana Saheb’s family members in Jhansi. Both the King of Banpur and Nana Saheb have decided Jhansi is their final refuge.
Lala Dulkara, the army commander to the King of Banpur, was feeling solitary and insecure in Sagar. So, the King of Banpur arranged for a portion of the Gwalior Contingent to be sent there. He had already sent over some soldiers to Sagar under the leadership of Sadar Ali and Muhammad Ali. The rest of the Banpur troops, three to four thousand gun-bearing soldiers and two cannons were placed in Jhansi. Only 1300 of them are fully armed.
The Queen of Jhansi is paying the Banpur King 500 rupees a month while he fills up his own treasury by looting the rich moneylenders and shopkeepers. These shopkeepers are eagerly awaiting the arrival of the British. The Queen is always incredulous about British advances - whoever has said the British won at Kanpur has been punished by the Queen.
…
Military preparations are being made in Jhansi around the clock.
Author Sepoy Sunny Kalara
February 18th
None of us have had the good fortune to actually see the Queen, Rani Laxmi Bai, in person. We hear of her bravery, her intelligence and her bravery.
John Lang, an attorney was traveling in India met with the Rani laxmi Bai in 1854. This is how he described her.
I had heard from the vakeel that the Ranee was a very handsome woman, of about six or seven and twenty years of age, and I was very curious indeed to get a glimpse of her; and whether it was by accident, or by design on the Ranee’s part, I know not, my curiosity was gratified.
The curtain was drawn aside by the little boy (the prince), and I had a good view of the lady. It was only for a moment, it is true still I saw her sufficiently to be able to describe her. She was a woman of about the middle size - rather stout, but not too stout. Her face must have been very handsome when she was younger, and even now had many charms - though, according to my idea of beauty, it was too round.
The expression also was very good, and very intelligent. The eyes were particularly fine, and the nose very delicately shaped. She was not very fair, though she was far from black.
She had no ornaments, strange to say, upon her person, except a pair of gold ear-rings. Her dress was a plain white muslin, so fine in texture, and drawn about her in such a way, and so tightly, that the outline of her figure was plainly discernible - and a remarkably fine figure she had.
What spoilt her was her voice, which was something between a whine and a croak. When the purdah was drawn aside, she was, or affected to be, very much annoyed; I but, presently she laughed, and good-humouredly expressed a hope that, a sight of her had not lessened my sympathy with her sufferings nor prejudiced her cause.
I hope and I pray that one day, she will rule all of India.
Author Sepoy Sunny Kalara
February 18th
The capital of Orchha Princely Sate.
This is one of the closest fort to Jhansi and we all know that its future is intertwined with that of Jhansi. If Jhansi falls, so will Orchha.
The king thinks that he is in “good terms” with British - little does he know that there is no such thing as “being in good terms”. You are either a current slave or “future slave to be”.
Once you see how close this fort is to Jhansi, you will know how critically important this fort could be to the Rani.
The saddest part is that the Raani of Jhansi has to protect not just against British but also from the attacks of the King of Orchha!
Author Sepoy Sunny Kalara
February 16th
here is a map of the fort of Jhansi and the queen’s palace.
Author Sepoy Sunny Kalara
February 14th
Victory of Religion:
To God only belongs the World, and the command of it rests with Him… Oh Rajas! Be you religious, virtuous, benevolent and brave, and the protectors of your own and of the religion of others: desiring you prosperity I speak as follows….
God has created you for the destruction of the destroyers of your creed…. but it is evident to all men that these English are perverters of all men’s religion. From time immemorial have they endeavoured to contaminate the Hindoo and Mahomedan religions by the production and circulation of religious books through the medium of missionaries, and by extirpating such books as afford arguments against them….
Various endeavours have they made to contaminate our creed.
1st The forcible re-marriage of Hindoo widows.
2nd the abolition of the ancient rite of suttee.
3rd the exaltation of those who embrace the Christian faith, so also the succession to the thrones of Hindoo princes is only permitted to the legitimate sons, the adopted sons are prohibited from succession, while the Shastra gives him the same privileges as the legitimate heir:
these are the stratagems by which the Europeans deprive us of our thrones and wealth, for instance I refer to Nagpore and Lucknow…
They have forced the prisoners to eat their bread…
they powdered bones and mixed with flour sugar etc and exposed it for sale….
they ordered the Brahmins and others attached to the army to bite greased cartridges…
and in spite commenced blowing from guns those in any regiments who refused to use the cartridges…
I conjure the Hindoos in the name of Gunga, Tollsee and Salikram, and the Mahomedans by the name of God and the Koran and entreat them to join us in destroying the English for their mutual welfare…
Let not this opportunity pass away. Know oh people! you will never have such another….
Issued on 14th February 1858
Author Sepoy Sunny Kalara
February 13th
Just to give you an idea of the relative locations of different cities:
The areas that we have lost and where Sepoy blood has been shed are marked in red.
The distance between Sagar and Jhansi is about 150 miles, 75 kos.
At the speed the British are moving, they will arrive in Jhansi sometime in early March of 1858.
Author Sepoy Sunny Kalara
February 12th
A trial with the charge of treason is being conducted against Bahadur Shah Zafar.
It started on 9th January and not sure how long will it continue.
Here is a current picture of the king
At least he has his hookah with him and Zeenat Mahal is with him.
It is kind of strange that British are trying him for “treason”; treason against what? British are not and were never were sovereign in Delhi and there can be no treason!
Oh well, we have bigger things to worry about now.
Author Sepoy Sunny Kalara
February 12th
The defenders of Garhakota came out determined to fight but were intimidated when they found the fort blockaded by the British.-the fiasco at Rahatgarh was fresh in their minds and they did not wish to meet with the same fate.
And, ultimately it was the fear for their line of retreat that made the nationalists abandon the fort and escape.
The nationalists, after evacuating Garhakota headed towards Maraura (murwara), another strong fort in Bundelkhand.
February 12th
Henry Rose is almost at the Garhakota fort; here is a map showing the fort compared to Sagar or Saugor as British call it!
We do not have enough resources to stop him, but we can slow him down a bit and hopefully Jhansi will get a little more time to prepare.
Author Sepoy Sunny Kalara
February 11th
The fort of Garhakota is situated at the confluence of Sunar and Gadhari rivers which wash its outer walls on two sides. On the other sides, except the east, it is surrounded by thick forest. This fort was of exceptional strength - its walls built of stone are 29 feet high and 15 to 24 feet in thickness.
This evening Rose arrived at Garhakota, 25 miles (40 kilometres) east of Sagar and laid siege.
Author Subedar Gautam Gupta
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