The Jhansi fort is synonimous with the great revolt of 1857. It stands taU even today - a glorious reminder of those tumultous days

Situated on the outskirts of Jhansi, the Jhansi fort in Uttar Pradesh was built by Raja Vir Singh Judeo in 1613. The fort played a major role during the first war ofIndi­an Independence in 1857. The huge fort is built on a hilltop called Bangra. The fort is an archi­tectural delight, due to its sheer size and beauty. It was once a residence of Rani Laxmibai of Jhansi, who bravely fought the British army during the great revolt of 1857 and attained martyrdom. During the rwe of the Peshwas, the Jhansi fort was the capital of the area. The fort was made at the strategical location, to be in the centre of the state.

The Jhansi fort can mesmerise anyone by its size and location. Located on a hillock, the fort impresses at first sight. There are 10 gates to the entry of the fort. Some of these are Khanderao Gate, Datia Darwaza, Unnao Gate, Jharna Gate, Laxmi Gate, Sagar Gate, Orcha Gate, Sainyar Gate and Chand Gate. The notable sights in the fort are the Shiva temple, Ganesh temple at the entrance and Kadak Bijli cannon used in the freedom struggle of 1857. The memorial board reminds one of the hair-raising feat of the queen in jumping on horseback from the fort. Nearby is the Rani Ka Mahal, built in the later half of the 18th century where an archaeologi­cal museum has come up today. On the way to the fort a statue of Rani Laxmibai has been installed.

Jhansi lies 292 kms from Lucknow and about 415 kms from Delhi. But it's closest to Gwalior, a little less than 100 km. Jhansi is the gateway to Bundelkhand. Today the forst boasts of a mar­velous collection of sculptures reflecting a excellent insight into the grand history of Bun­delkhand. A fine collection of sculptures belonging to the period between 9th and 12th centuries A.D. has been housed in the Rani Mahal. Jhansi also has a museum of regional antiques, viz., terra-cotta, bronzes, sculptures, arms, manuscripts, paintings and coins of gold, silver and copper. For Travelmasti, go for some rewarding excursions in the area, like Orcha, shivpuri, Deogarh

Rani Lakshmi Bai, better known as the Rani, or queen, of Jhansi was one of the great nation­alist heroines of pre-independence India. Born the daughter of a Benares Brahmin, she was married off to Raja Gangadhar of Jhansi, but never bore him children - a fact exploited by the British to force her and her adopted baby son into retirement in 1853. The Rani retaliated in 1857 by leading her personal bodyguard of five hundred Afghan-Pathan warriors to seize Jhan­si fort. The British dispatched troops to defeat the insurgents, but took over a fortnight to make any inroad. Three days of fierce hand-to hand fighting ensued, in which five thousand soldiers were killed. With her son strapped tightly to her back, the Rani somehow managed to slip through the British net and rejoined the main rebel army at Gwalior, where she rode to her death, dressed as a man ... using her sword with both hands and holding the reins of her horse in her mouth.

Statues of Rani Jhansi in this heroic pose stand all over northern India. For many in the Independence movement, she was India's Joan of Arc; a martyr and icon whose example set in motion the freedom struggle that eventually rid the subcontinent to its colonial rulers.