War of independence was slowly gaining strength day by day. Garden was hiding on the northern gate of the fort. He in between intervals was firing shots on the soldiers of Rani. At the same time Rani’s soldiers got a archer of Jhansi. The archer with his only one arrow killed Garden on the spot. After his death, there became hue and cry in the British camp.
On the other side, in the ‘Shankargarh’ corner of the fort, Nayak Kale Khan gave a terrifying assault on the Britishers. He had entered the fort with his army. On seeing his heavy courage, the Britishers surrendered very soon. British commissioner wanted to go to ‘Sagar’ from there, but Kale Khan made him and his army captive. He handed over the Britishers to his soldiers and went away. At the same time, the inspector of jail Bakshish Ali arrived. Bakshish Ali told to the soldiers—“Kale Khan has given me orders to take the Britishers to Jhokan Bagh”.
Jhokhan Bagh was outside the stronghold of Jhansi town. Soldiers reached Jhokan Bagh with all the Britishers. Then Bakshish Ali by giving them order told—“What are you waiting for? Kill them immedietely, It’s an order of Kale Khan. He is the same commissioner who has beaten me with shoes. First shoot him.”
The soldiers at once killed all of them. When Kale Khan reached there, he was shocked to see the dead bodies of forty Britishers.
“From today nobody will attack on anybody without my permission. Forget what has happened. But remember from now onwards that such type of incidents do not occur again.” Kale Khan told to the soldiers.
All the soldiers moved towards Rani’s palace on his orders. Indiscipline and madness were clearly reflecting from their faces. Some soldiers in anger also told to ransack Jhansi town. Suddenly Kale Khan shouted—“Shut up! Dare not talk about robbing this town. Here is Laxmibai’s rule.”
Soldiers started praising Rani. Suddenly the door of Rani’s palace opened. Rani was standing with joined hands. Her armed friends were behind her. Soldiers duly greeted the Rani. Rani first of all blessed them and then asked them to keep quite.
“Nayak Kale Khan” Rani told while shouting.
“Yes! Rani Sahiba.’’ Kale Khan replied while greeting her. First of all he looked into Rani’s eyes and thereafter his eyes moved down with shame.
“Kale Khan! How did this blood came from on the swords of soldiers?”.
“Rani Sahiba! The soldiers by these swords had killed the Britishers.”
“Such a big wickedness? From such type of wicked acts you will establish freedom and kingship?”
“Rani Sahiba…!” After saying this Kale Khan became silent.
“In turn same person from you all were talking about looting Jhansi”.
“Please forgive us Rani Sahiba. Now nothing will be happened without your orders. If it is happened, then we will kill ourselves by sitting on the mouth of cannon.”
“Well done Kale Khan well done.” Rani said after pardoning him—“All of you go to cantonment. You will get the order in evening of what you have to do?”
“Rani Sahiba! Soldiers are hungry. Please make arrangements for their food.”
“Please take it”. Rani said after taking her diamond necklace out from her neck and giving it to Kale Khan—“Get the money after selling it because the Britishers had not left a single penny with me. It doesn’t matter. You take this necklace. Everybody has to go to Delhi. But remember on the way don’t loot or rob anybody. It’s a vow of Ganga to Hindu soldiers and a vow of Koran to Muslim soldiers. Everybody should remain honest to themselves. Inform me if anything required. I will fulfill your every requirement.”
Every soldier bowed Rani for her gratefulness. First of all they went to cantonment. From there they marched towards Delhi with arms and ammunition.
Next day in Rani’s palace all the businessmen, Mukhias, reputed persons of Jhansi gathered. Rani was sitting behind a curtain. After listening to all of them, she said—“With great difficulty I am able to save this town from looting. Stiil the danger of its ransacking has not been averted. All of you have been called here only, on how to sort out the problems of the people.”
On this every person present there gave their respective views. All of them asked Rani to rule. They admitted that until and unless Rani rule over Jhansi state, the problems of the people will not be solved. Rani said consenting all of them—“I am very lucky that you all are entrusting me so that I can emerge true to your expectations.”
At the same time everybody there started praising Rani. After some time gunner Ghulam Gaus Khan came in front of Rani with joined hands. Rani asked him—“Today I give you the authority to handle the cannons.” The cannons which have been damaged by the Britishers; you soon make them ready so that the same can show their devastating affect during war.”
“I had one request Rani Sahiba.” gunner said.
“Yes Please! Don’t hesitate.” Rani told.
“Rani Sahiba! Today in the very lucky day for us. Hence please permit us to fire salute.”
“Permitted!” Rani said.
Gunner went and done a detail inspection of the cannons. The cannons which were in working condition, gunner fired salute from those ones. After that Rani waved flag on the fort. She handed over the work of casting new cannons on a person named Bhato Bakshi and also many officers were recruited. She herself became the chief of the riders. She left detective department under the authority of Motibai, whereas Juhi was appointed as assistant to Motibai. Later Rani ordered everybody to do their respective work.
By now only five days had passed since Rani took over the charge of Jhansi state and Motibai sent notice to her that Sardar Sadashiv Rao had attacked Karera fort. Sadashiv Rao was the relative of Gangadhar Rao. He had declared himself as the King of Jhansi. He thought that Laxmibai is a woman so she cannot harm me. On hearing the news of his becoming king, Rani started preparing her army. Rani’s heroic warriors marched towards Kasera fort. Her three friends also marched towards Kasera fort to judge the strength of Sadashiv Rao.
Later Rani also reached there with her army. They surrounded the fort from all sides. This gave an indication to Sadashiv of his death. To save his life he somehow managed to escape. After running miles he reached Sindhia’s State. Here he requested Sindhia for help. At that time king Sindhia was minor. He sent his army towards Kasera fort but their soldiers became unsuccessful. Rani Laxmibai captured Sindhia’s estate and made Sadashiv captive.
In those days, the atrocities of dacoit Sagar Singh was at its height. He keeps on looting many villages of Jhansi. His wickedness was unbearable to Rani. So Rani called Khudabaksh and gave him order—“Khudabaksh! You take with yourself some soldiers and bring Sagar Singh in front of me dead or alive.”
“As you order Rani Sahiba,” Khudabaksh told while bowing his head.
“How much time do you need for this job.” Rani asked.
“I will try to finish this work as soon as possible Rani Sahiba, but I feel some difficulty.”
“Which type of difficulty?”
“It’s rainy season Rani Sahiba. So it might took some more time. But you don’t worry. I’ll soon return after becoming successful.”
After saying this Khudabaksh left that place. Rani reached into her palace. She asked her friends—“Can you ride horse in torrential rain?”
“Yes! Rani Sahiba.” One of the friends Munder replied—“But firstly wait for the news of Khudabaksh. Then we will make our programme to go there.”
It was raining torrential. Khudabaksh along with his soldiers was entrapped in the way. Next day when rain stopped, he moved towards Ravli with his Batallion. Sagar Singh’s house was situated in the hills of Ravli. After having his meal, Sagar Singh was relaxing in his haveli. Suddenly Khudabaksh attacked on him. It was heavy firing from both the sides. At once many soldiers of Khudabaksh were injured. In the meantime, with the remaining soldiers Khudabaksh climbed into the haveli. After sometime he reached in the courtyard of the mansion (haveli).
At the same moment Sagar Singh with his sword collided with Khudabaksh. He injured Khudabaksh with his sword. Then after opening the door of haveli he ran away.
Soldiers took the injured Khudabaksh to Barwa Sagar. Here at night his treatment was done by the soldiers.
Early morning Rani got the news about the incident.
“Rani Sahiba! Khudabaksh is injured. Sagar Singh after wounding him ran away from his haveli. Some of our soldiers are also injured and some are treating the injured Khudabaksh in Barwa Sagar.” The messenger read the message.
“Is Khudabaksh received serious blows?” Rani asked from messenger.
“No! Rani Sahiba. Rather the soldiers are seriously hasted.” Messenger told.
After sometime the messenger was asked to leave. Then Rani met her friends along with Motibai.
“Tomorrow every body will go to Barwa Sagar along with me.” Rani said to her friends.
“It is better if you don’t go Rani Sahiba, because Betwa river is flooded and also there is a indication of more rain, hence you stay here. We all will go there.” Kashibai said.
“But I had also to fulfil my duty hence instead of horse, I will go on elephant. All of you also get ready.”
“OK. Rani Sahiba.”
“May I also go Rani Sahiba, if you order.” Motibai said while requesting.
“You have to decide. If we don’t get the boat due to flood, than you have to cross the river on horse.”
“I agree Rani Sahiba.”
Thereafter Rani moved for her destination. All her three friends and Motibai were following her. Apart from them twenty five horse-riders also following them. When all of them reached near the bank of Betwa river there the breeze was blowing very fast just like storm. Due to flood, the river was flowing coquettishly. Due to this neither of the boatman was there with their boats. On seeing no boat, many riders were frightened; but Rani showed her unyielding courage—
“What are you looking for—come on! Jump into the river.” On saying this Rani went into the river along with her horse. Then all her horse-riders also followed against the flow of current. Rani was quite ahead from them.
After sometime all the persons who accompanied Rani were on the other side of the river. They crossed the river safely. The clothes of all of them were wet, hence they started drying their clothes on the bank of river.
This also gave chance for the horses to take rest. Then after some time Rani along with her men reached Barwa Sagar. The fort here is on a big lake. This fort was built by the Chandelas. Rani after entering inside the fort looked Khudabaksh and her injured soldiers. On looking her extreme love for them, all the soldiers were fully delighted and forget their pain. On seeing Rani, Khudabaksh wanted to raise from his bed but he couldn’t. Rani showed her love by putting her hand on his head. Then she sat on a bench kept nearby.
“Where did Sagar Singh run away Khudabaksh?” Rani asked.
“Rani Sahiba! The people of villages are not telling his whereabouts because of terror. I know that Sagar Singh is hiding in nearby forests with his men.” Khudabaksh told.
“You don’t worry Khudabaksh, we will find him.”
“Now you are here, then worry for what Rani Sahiba. Within one or two days I’ll be fine, then I will again search him and try to catch him alive.”
“Now you take rest Khudabaksh. I am leaving Motibai to look after you.”
After saying this Rani left that place. Motibai’s eyes were full of tears. On seeing Motibai weeping Khudabaksh said—“You should feel happy instead of crying because this Jhansi’s soldier although he’s not been successful but has done something.”
“Do you have any problem Khudabaksh,’’ Motibai asked.
“All my pain went away as Rani Sahiba kept her hand on my head, Motibai. I feel on if she has poured immortalities on me.”
“Now the Rani herself is following Sagar Singh”
“This is Rani Sahiba’s greatness, Motibai.”
Here Motibai was looking after Khudabaksh and on the other side Rani called the ‘Mukhia’ and ‘Panchs’ of Barwa Sagar. All of them came and greeted Rani. A inspector also came along with them. Inspector told that—“Sagar Singh is hiding in a forest named Khisni”.
“Tomorrow morning you be prepare Inspector Saheb. We will attack on that forest on 8 a.m. sharp.” Rani told to inspector.
On getting the orders of Rani, Raghunath Singh reached Rawli village along with his army next morning, whereas Rani moved towards Khisni forest along with inspector.
Ragunath Singh informed them that Sagar Singh is not in his house. Then Rani planned to surround the forest from all sides. They had already sent their spy into forest. The spy told Rani that the dacoits has built cottages in the forest. They are making arrangements for their food. They also have some horses.
Rani surrounded the Khisni forest from all sides. Her soldiers were placed on all sides. After some time, the soldiers attacked on the cottages of the dacoits. Suddenly Sagar Singh after sitting on his horse started running. Kashiabi, Motibai and Sunder chased him. He was coming towards Rani very cautiously. A golden necklace was shining on his neck and also a naked sword on his hand. On seeing him, Rani thought that this is indeed Sagar Singh. On getting the hint from Rani, Sunder attacked him. But Sagar Singh turned his horse on the other side. Then Rani and Munder gave him a chase. After crossing some distance, Sagar Singh’s horse received obstructions ahead and he somehow managed from felling down. Suddenly Rani and Munder reached close to him. He attacked on Rani with his sword but went in vain. Then Rani braked his sword into two pieces by giving a massive blow with her sword. Also his horse was seriously injured. At once Rani and Munder grabbed Sagar Singh. Sagar Singh tried to bite them with his teeth. At that moment Rani made him cautious—‘‘Be careful! If you move your teeth, then this sword will be inside your throat.’’
Sagar Singh felled helpless and was unable to come out from their clutches. Within few minutes all her man also reached there. By that time he had already surrendered. They tied Sagar Singh with rope. Rani sent a message to Raghunath Singh that Sagar Singh has been arrested. This news of Rani’s braveness spread throughout the state. The people praised Rani for her extreme courage and braveness.
Under the tight security of guards Sagar Singh was presented in front of Rani. He wanted to greet Rani but the guards stopped him.
“Rani Sahiba!” Sagar Singh told politely—“I’m not a dacoit by birth. When the Britishers started to suppress us, then I had to get distracted from my path and we started dacoities by making a gang. Before that we were participating in the wars. But I take a vow of Mother Ganga that—I had never tortured the women or poor.”
“Stop! Sagar Singh” Rani said while raising her first finger—“You will have to pay for the atrocities you have done on my people. I will not leave you, you will be buried alive.”
On seeing Rani’s violent attitude, it appeared to Sagar Singh as if Rani is a incarnation of goddess Durga.
“Rani Sahiba! Please hang me but don’t bury me alive.” Sagar Singh said while requesting.
“If you had been forgiven then,” Rani said after thinking.
“Then I will never tell lie Rani Sahiba. I’ll stop dacoities, but some work is necessary for my livelihood.”
“What do you want from me in exchange of not committing dacoities, Sagar Singh.” Rani asked.
“I want to serve you Rani Sahiba.”
“Alone or along with your members.”
“You order Rani Sahiba. I will present at your service with all of my gang members.”
“But what will your members do here?”
“If you order then all of them will join your army.”
“Is that true?”
“Yes! Rani Sahiba. Only you have to order.”
“You go! I had forgiven you. You come to Jhansi along with your members and join our army. I’ll be happy.”
“If I had not presented my members in front of you then my name is not Kunwar Sagar Singh.”
“If you will work like Kunwar, then you will be called by the name ‘Kunwar’ but before you Khudabaksh will be given the status of Kunwar. He is the person who had attacked on your house and you had injured him with your sword.”
“Rani Sahiba! I want to say sorry to him. You please call him.”
Rani called Khudabaksh. He come and bowed on Rani’s feet.
“How are you—Khudabaksh.” Rani asked.
“Your kindness Rani Sahiba. As soon as your hand in on my head, no one can harm me.”
“This is Sagar Singh! You had heard that I had arrested him.”
“Yes Rani Sahiba. On listening this, all the pain of my body went away.”
“Today I am honouring you and Sagar Singh with the title of Kunwar. When the people will do the acts of braveness, they will be conferred by the title of Kunwar. Those people of the state will be believed to be under the docile of Kunwar association.”
Suddenly Sagar Singh fell on the feet of Khudabaskh—“Please forgive me brother! Please forgive me!”
“All your crimes have been forgiven after coming under the shelter of Rani Sahiba.” Khudabaksh told.
“Now by the grace of Rani Sahiba I’ll be treated like a human being.” Sagar Singh said in delighted mood.
After getting the orders of Rani, Khudabaksh went to take rest and Sagar Singh left to bring his gang members to Jhansi. After that Ali Bahadur came to congratulate Rani. After sometime he went away after showing her decorum.
