North India · Uttar Pradesh
Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh
About Jhansi
- Inland
Where it is
Jhansi is a city in the Bundelkhand region at the southern tip of Uttar Pradesh, on the rocky plateau of central India by the Pahuj River, close to the Madhya Pradesh border and the historic town of Orchha.
History
The Bundela king Bir Singh Deo of Orchha built Jhansi Fort on a rocky hill in 1613, and a town grew up around it. In the 18th century Jhansi came under the Marathas, and in the uprising of 1857 its queen, Rani Lakshmibai, led the city's defence until British forces stormed it in April 1858.
People
Bundeli, the dialect of Bundelkhand, and Hindi are the everyday languages, with Urdu also spoken. The region's folk culture includes the Alha ballads of the warrior brothers Alha and Udal, sung in the monsoon, and the Rai dance.
Known for
- Jhansi Fort
- Rani Lakshmibai, the queen of 1857
- Rani Mahal palace
- Gateway to Orchha
- Bundelkhand's Alha ballads
Did you know?
Rani Lakshmibai was born Manikarnika in Varanasi and grew up at the Peshwa's court at Bithoor; she came to Jhansi as a bride and died fighting near Gwalior in June 1858.
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