Nothing can explain a location’s history more than a historical monument. Historical monuments and forts are the best examples of how the history of a particular location was carved out. For a history buff, visiting such historical structures is one of the most interesting activities ever. You will learn about the history of a place and understand its culture. If you are in Jhansi, then the Jhansi Fort is one such location you must visit.
The Jhansi Fort has passed the test of time and still stands tall in its aura. From the Revolt of 1857 to the great deeds of Jhansi Rani Laxmi Bai, this fort witnesses multiple historical events. If you are visiting Jhansi, this article will be helpful. In this article, I will mention every kind of Jhansi Fort information that you might need to plan a trip there. So keep reading this article so that you can plan a trip there.
Jhansi Fort
Address of Jhansi Fort: Jhansi Fort Jhokan Bagh Jhansi Uttar Pradesh
Jhansi Fort timings: The Jhansi Fort opening time is 6 am the morning, and the closing time is 6:30 pm
Jhansi Fort ticket price: The Jhansi Fort ticket fee is Rs. 15 for Indians, and for foreigners, it is Rs. 200
How to reach Jhansi Fort
- By air
If you are travelling by air, the nearest airport to the Jhansi Fort is Gwalior Airport. The airport is around 103 km away from the fort. You can take pre-paid taxis or hire a car outside the airport and reach the fort from there.
- By train:
If you are travelling by train, the Jhansi railway station is the nearest railway station to the fort. From there, you can take buses and local transport like tempos and rickshaws to the fort.
- By road
The fort is located at the city’s heart, making communication accessible. You can either drive through nearby towns or locations, or you can hire a car. You can even take buses to reach the fort if you travel nearby. The nearest bus stop to the fort is the Jhansi Museum Bus Stop.
The best time to visit Jhansi Fort
The ideal time to visit the fort is from October to March, the colder months. This is when the weather is pleasant, so it would be comfortable to visit. Also, one of the peak times to see here is February. The famous Jhansi Mahotsav takes place in February. It is one of the significant festivals in Jhansi that attracts many tourists.
The Jhansi Mahotsav is a festival that pays tribute to the ancient culture of Jhansi. The Uttar Pradesh Tourism Government organizes this festival, usually in February or March. It is a week-long festival that is attended by a huge chunk of attendees. Also, various prominent personalities come and attend this festival and perform here. Along with these, there are seminars and workshops here as well that pay homage to the rich cultural history of Jhansi.
Jhansi Fort History
The chief of Bundela Rajput and the ruler of the Orchha kingdom, Veer Singh Ju Deo Bundela, constructed the Jhansi Fort in 1613. Mohammad Khan Bangash attacked this fort and Maharaja Chhatrasal in 1728. Peshwa Bajirao, however, helped him to win over him. As a sign of gratitude towards him, Chhatrasal offered Peshwa a part of his state, including Jhansi. In 1742, Naroshanker became the Subedar of Jhansi. For the next 15 years, he ruled over Jhansi, and during his rule, he also extended the fort of Jhansi. This extension of Jhansi Fort was called Shankargarh. The Peshwa, however, called him back in 1757. Later, Madhav Govind Kakirde and Babulal Kanahai became the Subedars of Jhansi.
From 1766 to 1769, Viswas Rao Laxman assumed the position, and later, Raghunath Rao II took charge of this fort. After the death of Shiv Rao, his grandson Ramchandra Rao took charge, but he died in 1835. His successor, Raghunath Rao III, took the position, but he passed away in 1838. After so much power change, the British rulers made Gangadhar Rao the Raja of Jhansi. But till then, Jhansi’s condition was already deplorable financially and according to the administration. But Gangadhar was a potential ruler, and he could take charge of this fort well. He married Manikarnika Tambe in 1842 and later got the name Rani Laxmi Bai.
What’s more?
Both of them had a son named Damodar Rao, but he died only four months after his birth. Later, Gangadhar Rao adopted his cousin’s son, Damodar Rao. Before his death, Gangadhar Rao wrote a letter declaring that Damodar Rao should be treated as his son. It also stated that whatever he had, including the government of Jhansi, should be handed over to Laxmi Bai after his death. However, the British government headed by Lord Dalhousie issued the doctrine of Lapse soon after. According to this, they rejected the claim of Damodar Rao to the empire and annexed the state. Also, they directed Rani Laxmi Bai to leave this fort and was given a pension of Rs. 60 000 in 1854.
After that, the revolt 1867 broke out, and Laxmi Bai assumed control of the Jhansi Fort. She fought bravely and was also one of the leaders of this revolt against the British. She left on his horseback before the British plundered the whole city. Later, the British government gave the Jhansi city and the Jhansi fort to Jiyaji Rao Scindia, the Maharaja of Gwalior, in 1861. However, in 1868, the British took back the fort again.
Architecture of Jhansi Fort
Both of them had a son named Damodar Rao, but he died only four months after his birth. Later, Gangadhar Rao adopted his cousin’s son, Damodar Rao. Before his death, Gangadhar Rao wrote a letter declaring that Damodar Rao should be treated as his son. It also stated that whatever he had, including the government of Jhansi, should be handed over to Laxmi Bai after his death. However, the British government headed by Lord Dalhousie issued the doctrine of Lapse soon after. According to this, they rejected the claim of Damodar Rao to the empire and annexed the state. Also, they directed Rani Laxmi Bai to leave this fort and was given a pension of Rs. 60 000 in 1854.
After that, the revolt 1867 broke out, and Laxmi Bai assumed control of the Jhansi Fort. She fought bravely and was also one of the leaders of this revolt against the British. She left on his horseback before the British plundered the whole city. Later, the British government gave the Jhansi city and the Jhansi fort to Jiyaji Rao Scindia, the Maharaja of Gwalior, in 1861. However, in 1868, the British took back the fort again.
What’s more?
At the entrance of this fort, you can find temples of Lord Shiva and Lord Ganesha. One structure here is like a homage to Raghunath Rao, the brother of Raja Gangadhar Rao, for his undeniable love for architecture and art. Another fascinating aspect of this fort is its roof. Here, the roof is beautiful, and the architects fabricated it with stucco so that it formed a pond that sprinkles water all over.
You will also find an execution tower here, which is a tower used for the execution of prisoners. Another major attraction here is the Jumping Spot. This is where Rani Laxmi Bai jumped off, showing her bravery on top of her horse Badal to escape the fort.
There is also a museum here that showcases a rich collection of ancient sculptures. A total of 22 supporting structures are present here, with a strong wall and a moat on two sides. The eastern side of the fort was destroyed, and the British rebuilt it later. They also integrated an additional floor into the Panch Mahal.
Light and Sound Show in Jhansi Fort
Every evening, a special light and sound show in the fort is one of the major attractions for tourists here. The show depicts different historical events and explains the rich history of Jhansi through audiovisual effects. It explains events from the Great Revolt of 1857 and also showcases the life and bravery of Rani Laxmi Bai.
Jhansi Fort light and sound show timings: There are multiple shows here. During the summer, the Hindi show starts at 7:30 p.m., and the English show starts at 8:30 p.m. In the winter, the Hindi show starts at 6:30 p.m., and the English show starts at 7:30 p.m.
The ticket price for the Jhansi Fort light and sound show is Rs—50 for Indians and Rs. 250 for foreigners.
Wrapping Up!
The Jhansi Fort is a living example of the bravery of Jhansi Rani Laxmi Bai, and you cannot miss out on this astounding fort. The beautiful architecture, the massiveness of the structure and, of course, the history attached to it make it one of the most beautiful places to visit in Jhansi. So, next time you plan a visit to Jhansi, include this location in your itinerary. You will surely enjoy visiting this culturally and historically enriched location. Let me know if this article is helpful for you when planning a trip to this fort. Also, let me know when you are planning a trip there.
