The British had made a cantonment for soldiers in Jhansi. Indian soldiers and officers used to live in this cantonment. Juhi’s arrival here was on a regular basis. She used to entertain the soldiers by her dance and songs. Because the frequency of her arrival here had been increased, so it gave a great impetus to improve her art. By entertaining the officers of the army with her magical charm, she used to know the secrets of the British policies.
One day Juhi’s dance was going on in cantonment. Then on that moment Captain Dunlop came there to enjoy the art of Juhi. Dunlop got the news from his detectives that the female dancers generally come here to cantonment. They talk to the officers very frankly. As soon as she saw Dunlop, Juhi was astonished for sometime. Then soon she controlled herself. After some time Juhi’s dance and song stopped or rather came to an end. Then at once Dunlop asked her a question, “How much money do you earn from this cantonment?”
“It’s enough for livelihood, your majesty.” Juhi replied.
“Is your voice is only means to earn money?”
“Yes! Your Majesty”.
“Stop Nonsense! I know very well what your motive is?” Dunlop said—“I don’t want to see you any more in this cantonment from today”.
On listening this, Juhi’s face became dull and sad. She came out from the cantonment. And was whispering in her mouth—“What does he think of himself. The day on which I got the bridle of horse that day I will punish him with the bullet of gun.”
After Juhi’s departure, Dunlop gave strict instructions to the officers of the cantonment that the visit of female dancers should be stopped. After giving instructions, he returned back. But Juhi’s insult has not been endured by the soldiers. They started showing anger towards the captain.
In evening, Juhi met Rani and explained everything. On this Rani thought—Our motives are strong. They cannot be broken. I will show the Britishers that India still has lots of power within herself. I will fight for freedom at the cost of my life. If I die while fighting, then even a bigger warrior than me will stand against them and he will stop fighting only after achieving freedom.
Then suddenly women guards became active at the door. Rani called them and asked—“Yes! What’s the latest news?”
“Rani Sahiba! Motibai wants to meet you. She had requested to give her some time.” One of the lady guards told.
“Let her come.” Rani ordered.
Motibai come in front of Rani and thereafter after greeting took a seat on a bench.
“Rani Sahiba! You please go through this letter.” Motibai said while forwarding a letter towards Rani.
“Which type of letter is this Motibai.” Rani asked amazingly.
“Tatya ji gave me this letter. Today many similar letters had been came to cantonment. On this matter Tatya ji wanted to consult with you.” Motibai said.
Rani started reading the letter—“Endurance has its limit Rani Sahiba! Till how long will you keep stone on your heart. Wake up! Die for your religion. The Britishers who had tied our country into shackles of slavery, we have to throw them out and confirm India’s independence.”
After reading the letter, Rani met Tatya—“I had received this letter before time Tatya ji.”
“Yes! Rani Sahiba. The organisation of army is still not completed. Hence now it would not be appropriate to go according to this letter, otherwise people will be killed mercilessly. Hence we have to stop the proceedings at present.” Tatya said.
“War material had been managed or not?”
“It has been managed Rani Sahiba. So I had come here to fix the date of proceedings from you.”
“Have you thought about it?”
“Yes Rani Sahiba. Date 31st May and day Sunday”.
“Still there are four month left. No matter. You have decided the appropriate date. On 31st May the proceedings will be started jointly throughout the country.”
“I pray to God, till then the people of our country have control on themselves.”
Time changed. Summer season arrived. For the freedom struggle Rani disclosed ‘Lotus flower’ and ‘Roti’ as a form of mask. Lotus and Roti had been sent from one village to another. By this unity among Hindus and Muslims was clearly seen. During that period many persons were seriously injured in an bomb explosion in Meerut. At present 31st May was far away. On seeing the emerging situations, the Indian army of Meerut and Delhi took Red Fort under their control. After sitting on the throne, Bahadur Shah soon ordered to stop cow slaughter.
Now, the fire of revolution started spreading throughout north India. Captain Dunlop got this news in Jhansi. From that time onwards, Rani restricted the movement of people in her palace. Only Motibai had the authority to go inside the palace to meet Rani. She used to convey her important news of the latest development. She used to get those news in keeping in touch with Khudhabaksh and Raghunath Singh.
There was a clear indication of revolution in Jhansi on 4th June, because a Constable along with some soldiers had entered the small fort of Jhansi. This fort was situated about one mile away from the big fort. The Britishers called this fort ‘Taragarh’. Here the Britishers have hidden their arms and ammunitions and also money, which have been taken away by soldiers. On getting the news Dunlop came with his army to challenge them. But when he didn’t get the war material inside the fort, he returned back disappointed.
The commissioner got the news of this incident. He ordered all the soldiers of cantonment to reach inside the fort along with their families. But when they started moving towards fort, they remembered the nobility and spirituality of Rani.
Garden along with many Britishers went to meet Rani and said politely—“Rani Sahiba. If any danger comes on us, then you please atleast have mercy”.
“I understand what you are trying to tell, but I didn’t have sufficient arms to help you. If all of you show your consent then I will make my army strong for the safety of the people.” Rani said while answering to Britishers statement.
After consenting to Rani’s views, Dunlop returned back. Then he attended a meeting with British officials. After the meeting, Dunlop was sent to regiment along with one British soldier. He was given order to insult the soldiers of that regiment, and he insulted them a lot. This insult had not been endured by the soldiers. Hence Nayak Kale Khan killed Dunlop with his pistol. As soon as he fell on the ground, the Britishers started running helter-sketter. Garden straightaway ran to meet Rani. He told to Rani’s friend ‘Munder’—“You please request Rani from my side to give shelter to our women and children in her palace.”
Munder conveyed his request to Rani. Rani accepted to Garden’s request. Soon all the British ladies and children were shifted inside the palace by Garden. Here Rani gave them food and shown a great hospitality. But after some days commissioner shifted the children from palace to fort.
The war had been started before Rani’s orders. The fort in which the Britishers were hiding, Rani’s soldiers continued on attacking on those fort. But the Britishers retaliated with great force and compelled them to retreat. On next day evening, some relaxation was seen in fight. Britishers were struggling with hunger. They sent a message for food to Rani. Rani had shown mercy on them and she sent food to the fort through tunnel. When her friends entered the fort with food then the British officials greeted them and came over from hunger by eating food. They never forget Rani’s this type of mercy.