Jhansi is a beautiful city in the State of Uttar Pradesh with a lot of history behind. Before it became Jhansi, it was a town of Balwantnagar. During 1606-27 Orchha ruler Raja BirSingh Deo built the Fort and surroundings on a rocky hill called Bangra in the town of Balwantnagar, later named as Jhansi. Ruled by the Chandela Kings, by 11th century, Jhansi started losing its importance. When Raja Bir Singh died, his son Jujha Singh succeeded him. Raja GangadharRao, one of the best administrators of Jhansi married Mannikarnika who was named Lakshmi Bai after marriage. Lakshmi Bai became Rani (Queen) of Jhansi who led her forces against the British during the Sepoy Mutiny in 1857. Earlier during 1853, the Britishers wanted to take over Jhansi as the king had no son as the heir to the throne, Lakshmi Bai fought against the British with other revolutionaries of that period. Jhansi ki Rani Lakshmi Bai led the Sepoys of the 1857 revolt of India’s first struggle for Independence. Lakshmi Bai became a martyr on 17th June 1858 during a battle with the British soldiers at Gwalior. Later in 1861, the British Government gave the Jhansi Fort and city to JiyajiRao Scindia.
