The entranceway to Bundelkhand, Jhansi city is still connected with the legends of its bold queen Jhansi. She was an embodiment of patriotism, self-respect and heroism. You must be feeling inquisitive to know about Rani Jhansi's life!

About Jhansi

Jhansi is a city in the state of Uttar Pradesh. It is about 415 km from Delhi and 292 km from Lucknow, and the gateway to Bundelkhand. Jhansi grew in popularity during the reign of the Marathas because of the heroics of its valiant queen, Rani Lakshmi Bai. She had valiantly fought against the Britishers during the 1857 revolt.

Jhansi was first known as Shankargarh, when Orchha was the capital of Bundelas. In a bid of strengthening the security of Orchha, its king Raja Bir Singh Ja Deo had constructed a fort on a hill in Shankargarh. And it was when he looked at the site for the new fort from his Orchha palace that he realized the place looked like a jhain-si (blurred shadow). And this is how Jhansi got its present name.

This fort is none other than the famous Jhansi Fort. Jhansi fort was built in 1613 and today has a wonderful collection of sculptures that depicts the history of Bundelkhand. It is said that Jhansi grew around this fort which crowns a neighboring rock. There are many sculptures of the 9th to 12th centuries found in the Rani Mahal too. The museum of Jhansi houses regional antiques like sculptures, manuscripts, paintings, arms and silver, gold and copper coins.

Jhansi is the administrative seat of Jhansi Division and District. It was with the dream project of the Ex Prime Minister of India, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee of developing highways that great led to a huge improvement in the progress of Jhansi. You find the East-West Corridor, and the North-South Corridor connecting Kashmir and Kanyakumari, passing through Jhansi. And with this, it brought with itself a sudden rush in both the real estate and infrastructure of Jhansi. There is also a Greenfield airport in the list of near future projects of Jhansi.

Built by Maharaja Bir Singh Deo of Orchha in 1613, the fort was annexed by the British from the Maharaja of ScIndia after the First war of independence and was later exchanged for the Gwalior fort in 1866. As one approaches the fort, one can see the diorama of the battle in which the Rani of Jhansi died.

Access

From Delhi it is 596kms by road. Shatabdi Express connects Jhansi to Delhi. From Jhansi it is 176kms. Non-stop deluxe buses connect Jhansi to Khajuraho. Indian Airlines connects daily.

Rani Mahal - Jhansi

The former palace of Rani Lakshmibai, consisting of chambers around an open courtyard, was built in the 18th century. The building is now a museum containing hundreds of sculptures.

Government Museum - Jhansi

The pathway leading to the fort is the Government museum. Its four galleries house an interesting collection of prehistoric tools; terracottas dating from the 4th century B.C., and sculptures, costumes and weapons from the Chandela Dynasty.

Shahid Smarak

Shahid Smarak commemorates the death of freedom fighter, Chandrashekhar Azad who lived and worked in hiding in Orchha, during 1926 and 1927. Other shrines that Orchha houses are Siddh Baba ka sthan, Jugal Kishore, Janki Mandir and the Hanuman Mandir at Ohhare dwara.

How to get there
BY AIR
The nearest airport to Orchha is Gwalior (120 km). The city is connected to Delhi, Bhopal, Indore and Mumbai. Khajuraho (170 km) is linked with Delhi, Agra, and Varanasi.
BY RAIL
The nearest railhead is at Jhansi (16 km), on the Mumbai-Delhi and Delhi-Chennai lines. All major mail and express trains stop at Jhansi.
BY ROAD
Orchha lies on the Jhansi-Khajuraho road. Regular bus services connect Orchha with Jhansi. Autorickshaws available on hire from Jhansi for a tour of tourist spots.