Journey to Mahakumbha 2013 --- Jhansi of Rani Lakshmibai

Journey to Mahakumbha 2013  --- Jhansi of Rani Lakshmibai

     We drove almost 100 kms and came across East west corridor of great Indian national highway project. The road is world class.( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:North-South_East-West_Corridors.svg)

There are such six great Indian highways, which were started by Atal Bihari Vajpaye led NDA govt. Thanks to them.

     We landed in Jhansi, and went straight up to the fort which is immortalized by bravery of Rani Laxmibai. We intentionally hired a guide, who narrated the story of Rani Laxmibai and her bravery. Showed us the ‘Buruj’ from where she jumped down the hill with her adopted son on her back and escaped to keep up the “ swatantrata ka hunkar”. The heroic act not only inspired male soldiers but also a platoon of ladies “ Durga sena”.

          There is a palace which is know as Panch mahal, is a five storied building, the last one is destroyed by the british rulers, but for the roof they(british) have used big,fat iron gurdles which are quite visible. However as we go downstairs we can not see any kind of reforcement mechanism for remain four floor of the palace. The architecture is amazing. The structure is perfect with ample flow of fresh air, light, easy entrance and exit. Some hide out areas have also  been built in the mahal, in case of any emergency or enemy attack. We call it “Bhulbhulaiyya”.

          The british were overpowering in the particular battle just because of backstabbing done by her own brother in law, brother of her husband. Otherwise needed not to jump down from the Buruj.

          This fort has been built by Panna king Veer singh. And is still intact. This king belongs the Bundel royal clan. The history of handing over the fort of Jhansi and 1/3rd part of his kingdom to Marathas made us feel proud. Marathas helped this king a battle against muslim mughal and it was won by Marathas. Since then Marathas were ruling this land of Jhansi.

However it was the Bundele clan who ruled these lands for more than couple of centuries. They also built group of temples and palaces in Orchha.

Ohh.. Orchha !    

It’s the same place which we were in the afternoon

Lets go to Orchha…

 The Heron flying and competing us on the AB road 

 The green farms which I talked about in the first part

 The east west corridor highway

 Panch Mahal

 Interior of Panch Mahal, the fourth floor

 Taking stairs to get to the third floor

 The complete view of Panch Mahal

 This is where she jumped down

 Place to hang criminals

 The jail

 Baradari, the rang mahal