Our visit to Jhansi

Most Indians have heard of Jhansi, thanks to Rani Lakshmi Bai’s bravery during the War of Independence in 1857.

 

We visited Jhansi while traveling from Gwalior to Orchha. Before Jhansi, we had already seen the Sonagiri Jain temples and Datia Palace.

We had a few hours to spare before driving to Orchha. During that time, we visited Jhansi Fort, Rani Mahal, and the Jhansi Museum.

Jhansi Fort

Jhansi Fort is the main attraction in Jhansi. The fort looks massive from the outside. We paid the entry and photography fee to go inside.

Built by the Bundela king Bir Singh Deo in the 17th century, the fort later came under Maratha control and then the British after the 1857 War of Independence. The fort has witnessed many events.

 

It is well maintained. We saw important structures like Panch Mahal, Kal Kothari, Jumping Point, gardens, Hanging Point, Khadak Bhijli, and the Shiva temple. It’s a good place to spend a couple of hours.

Jumping Point was especially interesting. This is where Rani Lakshmi Bai escaped from the British on horseback with her adopted son.

Rani Mahal

About a kilometer from the fort is Rani Mahal, the residence of Rani Lakshmi Bai. It’s located in a busy area but is still a nice place to visit.

Jhansi Museum

Near the fort is another nice museum. The events of the 1857 war are vividly depicted here.

Information and Tips

Overall, Jhansi is a nice place to visit. It is a big city and well connected to many other cities in India. It is one of the major railway junctions. Here are some tips for visiting:

• It’s best to combine Jhansi with a trip to Orchha. It takes 3-4 hours to see the places mentioned.
• Jhansi has many hotels and restaurants.
• There is good parking at all three places we visited.
• There is also a Sound and Light show at Jhansi, which we didn’t see due to our plans in Orchha.