After sometime, Rani gave birth to a boy. The whole Jhansi engulfed into happiness. Gangadhar Rao celebrated the birth ceremony of his son with pomp and gaiety. But this happiness was not lived long. The boy died after few months. The death of the boy gave a big setback to Gangadhar Rao. He had got a child at such an old age. He was very delighted on having the successor of Jhansi. But the death of his son shattered all his dreams. It was like a vacuum in his life.
Without caring for his health, he very energetically participated in the Navratri festival. Due to this he fell ill. The famous doctors (Vaids) of Jhansi were called for treatment. For his well-being religious ceremonies, mantras and yajnas were also performed. But his health keep on deteriorating day by day. It appeared as if his life was moving towards end. At last Dewan Narsingh Rao and Rani’s father Moropant went to meet Gangadhar Rao and they had an conversation regarding the present condition of the state. Gangadhar Rao said—“Still I’m not disappointed and I feel necessary that some arrangement for the state to be made. I wanted to adopt Vasudevrao Navelkar’s son Anand Rao which is of our family (Gharana). Please make arrangements for this adoption ceremony.”
According to Gangadhar Rao’s wish the arrangements for this adoption ceremony were started. Invitations to the reputed person of the city were sent. Under the supervision of famous scholar Vinayak Shastri, all the proceedings of the ceremony were completed. On this occasion, the political agent of Jhansi Major Alice and Army officer Captain Martin were also present. Five year old Anand Rao became the son of Gangadhar Rao. His name was changed from Anandrao to Damodar Rao. On this occasion all the guests were honoured with perfume, betel leaf etc. After the ceremony Major Alice and Captain Martin were asked to wait inside the palace and all other guests departed. For approving adoption and making it legal, Gangadhar Rao made Prime Minister to write an official order letter. Later he handed this letter to British officials. Rani was sitting behind the curtain. She was weeping. She might have realised that his illness will lead to his death.
“Damodar Rao is very promising boy,” Gangadhar Rao said to Major Alice. “He is very lucky that he got a mother like Rani Laxmibai. I hope that both of will take Jhansi into new heights.”
Both Gangadhar Rao and Major Alice were hearing the sobbing sounds of Rani. Major Alice after watching towards curtains once turned his face. When Gangadhar Rao saw Rani weeping, he also was unable to stop his tears. He said in choked voice—“Rani Sahiba! By wasting tears this way we cannot solve any problem. All the happenings are bestowed on us by God’s wish.” Rani stopped crying listening this.
“Our Rani is a structure of talent—Major Alice. You will see, one day people will put her foot’s dust on their foreheads.” Gangadhar Rao said to Major Alice.
He was continuously weeping and this feared Alice that it might deteriorate his condition. Hence he requested Gangadhar Rao to stop talking—“Excess talk is not good for your health, so please try to talk less.”
Suddenly he had severe cough and pain started in his chest. Now his condition became ever more critical. Doctors tried their best for his treatment. Major Alice brought Doctor Allan along with him in the palace. Allan examined him thoroughly and thereafter arranged some medicines. But Gangadhar Rao refused to take English medicines. He was such a God-fearing man that even on the verge of death, he was not ready to break his religious custom for the sake of life.
At last on 21st November 1853, Gangadhar Rao died. The whole Jhansi was grief-stricken. At the teenage of 18, Rani became widow. She considered herself to be lonely and helpless. The people of Jhansi were mourning the death of their king and were engulfed into grief. The people were distressed on seeing Rani’s condition. People thronged towards palace for their heartfelt condolences. Major Alice promised Rani that he will provide her every possible support.
Gangadhar Rao funeral procession took place with royal pomp. At the funeral site, all the reputed persons, businessmen, scholars, etc. of Jhansi were present. People in large numbers were present to have his last glimpse. Major Alice, Captain Martin and English horsemen were also present. Gangadhar Rao’s body was kept on an sandal wood pyre. His adopted son Damodar Rao lighted the funeral pyre.
Grief-stricken Rani was watching all this. Dreaded hazy scenes of uncertain future were revolving around her eyes. But the empire had being ruled by the trusted officials. They believed Rani to be their patroness and were ruling the whole empire. Due to the death of Gangadhar Rao, Rani remained in grief for many days. She left food and water for several days. The people consoled her a lot. Some made her realised regarding her duties towards Damodar Rao; and some said that if she will mourn like this, then who is going to look after the people of Jhansi. Atlast Rani gave up her mourning. She became aware regarding her social duties. Slowly she started taking interest in state affairs. She also started taking interest in upbringing her child Damodar Rao and the royal family.
Baji Rao had already died before the death of Gangadhar Rao. Hence the British government had stopped his pension. The bad behaviour of Britishers always disgusted Nana. This was the reason, Nana along with Tatya started searching means for the establishment of Swarajya. On the other hand, the Britishers were continuously extending their dominion over many states of India.
Almost whole of India was under their control. Many Kings of India were under their docile. The Britishers were advertising and extending their customs and religion every where.
Under such situation Nana and Tatya went to meet Rani of Jhansi Laxmibai.
Rani’s was become very weak; hence her face was looking a bit longer. She was present inside her palace. In one corner of the palace, Rani’s friends Sunder, Munder and Kashibai were also sitting. Suddenly Nana along with Tatya entered Rani’s Palace.
Nana went towards Rani and consoled her saying—“We are deeply hurt on hearing about the sad demise of Gangadhar Rao ji. But we are helpless against God’s wish.”
“Everybody has to oblige against something certain to happen,” Rani said while thinking.
“How is your state of affairs going on?” Nana asked.
“It is running, smoothly but the enthusiasm of Budelkhand’s native kings had been vanquished.”
“Is their morale cannot be boosted up?”
“I cannot speak anything on this matter because I’m busy in outdoor work. If you all had taken a round of the state, you must have realised about the situation.”
“Yes! I had been to many places of the state” Tatya said looking towards Rani—“After looking the condition of the state, I feel some Kings and Nawabs are busy in consuming spirituous liquor and some are those who are fully frustrated.”
“The condition of Lucknow and Delhi is far better from here,’’ Nana said.
“Rani Sahiba!” Tatya said politely, We were been to Lucknow and Delhi quite sometime back.”
“Tatya please didn’t call me Rani Sahiba. For both of you, I am your old childhood friend Manu, who used to play with you.”
“Manu! What is the condition of Jhansi?” Nana asked.
“Nana! The condition here in Jhansi is not well. It seems whatever we had in our hand, will slowly be taken away.”
“Manu! Please don’t speak like this. We had everything here, only in Jhansi. We had a lot of expectations from here.”
“What is your expectations from here?”
“Only this, that the British government will accept Damodar Rao and you will establish unity among the people of Jhansi,” Tatya said.
“Let’s see, what is the decision of the Britishers.” Then suddenly Tatya’s attention diverted towards Manu’s friends. He asked—“Manu! Who are these three ladies?”
“All the three of them are my friends, Tatya,” Rani replied. Apart from this she also told them that almost all the ladies of Jhansi had learnt how to use arms; and some are presently undergoing training.
Nana and Tatya were delighted to hear this. It was winter season. Everybody was shivering due to chilled winds. In such weather Nawab Ali Bahadur reached Alice’s house on his elephant.
“Major Saheb! Still no reply had come regarding Rani’s petition. What in the reason?” Ali Bahadur asked to Major Alice.
“What should I tell Nawab Saheb. Rani’s petition on adopting the boy may also be denied. The decision will come in front of all of us within few days,” Alice replied.
“Many oppressions had been faced by Jhansi estate, Major. Hence the people of Jhansi will prefer government’s authority. I know that the government is seriously concerned about the well-being of the general people of Jhansi.”
“Government is indeed seriously concerned about their well-being Nawab Saheb.”
“I want a favour from you, Major.”
“Yes please?”
“The king gave me eighty-five villages as a rent-free grant, but when government arrangements were done all the villages had been taken away from me. Then they had employed me on an salary of only five hundred rupees. How can I spend my livelihood with such meagre money?”
“Please don’t get worried Nawab Saheb. I am your friend. I will try my best to favour you and do the best for you.”
“Thank you very much. I can only pray to God to make you even bigger officer.”
“God will surely fulfill your desires.”
“Major! One more thing I want to say.”
“Yes please! Don’t hesitate.”
“You know very well that my father’s palace was previously under my authority; but later Gangadhar Rao took over the possession. Now the palace is locked. It is of no use to me, Major Saheb.”
“I know Nawab Saheb that the palace is yours. You please wait for sometime. It will surely be handed over to you.”
On listening this Nawab Ali Bahadur poured on him a bundle of thanks. After that he wanted to take his leave but Major stopped him and said—“Nawab Saheb, please wait for some more time.”
Nawab sat quietly.
Major asked him—“What is the news of your colony?”
“The people of colony are in great trouble, Major. They will feel happy under the government rule. As is my thinking,” Nawab Ali Bahadur said.
“Nawab Saheb! You please continue on meeting with the reputed persons of the colony and also ask them about their well-being. I will let you know about the future happening.”
“As you order Major. I will give you detailed report of the colony every second or third day.”
“How is Rani of Jhansi?”
“Major! Now-a-days she is very busy. She had hobbies of riding an horse and shooting arms. Everytime she used to read books regarding her religion.”
“Tell me whether the persons around her are not trying to mislead Rani.”
“Some of the relatives had come to her palace, but soon they went away.”
“Nawab Saheb! You please watch such type of persons carefully.”
“O.K. Major. I employ my trusted servant Pir Ali for this job.”
After a long meeting with Major, Nawab Ali Bahadur returned back to his house. He employed Pir Ali for the same job. Khudabaksh was staying in his house. After his return, Khudabaksh asked him—“Nawab Saheb! Whether you talked about me with Major Saheb?”
“Khudabaksh! I had persuaded Major Saheb regarding all your internal desires. He will think over it.” Nawab Ali Bahadur clearly told lie.
Khudabaksh was a budding youth. In those days, he was passing through a phase of difficulties.
“I had sent my petition to Rani Sahiba,” Khudabaksh told—“Rani Sahiba had given me permission to stay in Jhansi. She also told that after getting the authority from Lat Saheb, the summary of grant will also be done.”
After listening this Nawab started grudging from inside. After sometime he asked Khudabaksh, “By whom you have sent your petition to Rani Sahiba?”
“Through Motibai. She used to work in her theatre sometime back. Her salary was due, so she had gone to take her salary and also gave my petition,” Khudabaksh told.
“Please don’t get worried Khudabaksh! I will try my best to help you,” Nawab spoke.
Days passed!
One day Major Alice reached the Royal Fort with his bodyguards. He asked the Court Minister (Deewan)—“Is the queen present in the palace?”
“Yes! The queen is sitting behind the curtain,” the Court Minister told.
Then at once Major took out a letter from his pocket and started reading it—“I had forwarded Rani’s petition regarding adoption in front of Governor General; but I am sorry to say that, it has been rejected. Pension of Rupees five thousand will be given to Rani from the government. This money is enough for her livelihood.”
After listening this, Deewan started shouting. Rani had already listened each and every word of Major’s speech.
She spoke in harsh voice from behind the curtain—“Till I’m alive, I will not give Jhansi to anybody. Governor had done injustice to me. I don’t need his pension.”
After hearing Rani’s speech, Major cannot stayed there much longer and soon left the palace.
Rani’s friend Sunder was sitting close to her behind the curtain. After listening to Major’s declaration she lost her consciousness and fell down. When she came back to her senses, she started crying.
“You cannot gain anything by crying like this, Sunder. Have Patience! We will face every adverse situation boldly.” Rani told to Sunder by encouraging her.
The British Government ordered Rani to vacate the fort immediately. Major Alice took over the keys of Jhansi’s offices from Deewan. He advertised the rule of British Government in whole Jhansi. The Britishers had the authority over Jhansi’s police-station.
Rani Laxmibai vacated the fort. Now a battalion of British army had been posted at the fort. Rani now started living in a palace in Jhansi town. She was accompanied by her three friends. One day Sunder told to Rani with tears in her eyes—“What will happen in this adverse situation, Rani Sahiba!”
“Have patience!” Rani caressed on her head and said—“Our strength is destroyed by wasting tears, hence don’t waste tears. Like me Jijabai too was unable to get total happiness of having a husband, but Jijabai brought up her son Shivaji giving him love of both mother as well as father and hoping that her son will one day destroy the enemies. And so Shivaji did. Hence, I will also upbring my son Damodar Rao. I will trained him in such a way that the enemies lose their courage on seeing him.”
On listening to Rani’s courageous talk, her friends stopped weeping.
Rani again explained them—“Difficulties arise in the path of every person. By not accepting my son’s adoption, the British government had posed great difficulties in my path. We should not have to frustrate with these difficulties. Lord Krishna had preached Arjun regarding work to be done irrespective of its fruits. Similarly we should also do our work—we will continue our effort to make India independent irrespective of whether anybody in India does it or not. I had taken a vow in front of God to make India Independent at any cost. The people are with us. The Britishers can destroy the kings and their empire but they cannot destroy the people of India. That day is not far away when I will rage the slogan of freedom in front of the people.”
After listening this, her friend’s morale boosted and their self-confidence reached at its peak. Then after Sunder told to Rani—“Now the Britishers will see our strength Rani Sahiba.”
“Well done! This is the courage I want to see among people!” Rani said.
“Rani Sahiba! I had heard that you have dissolved the army after giving them salary of six month. In such situation, we desperately need the armymen. Will you recruit the armymen again from a new beginning?” Sunder asked.
“We will recruit armymen according to need.” Rani told in serious accent—“The soldiers whose services had been finished will jump into the battlefield with their thousand members for us if required. In such situation, we should also have to train women to fight for the motherland because the Britishers cannot even imagine that the women will also join the war.”
From next day, work had been started to assemble women. After some day it was like a flood of women surrounding Rani. Each and every women were given training of riding a horse and how to use arms. Rani’s friends went on hilly areas outside the town for the training.
By now every women had become expert in riding and using arms. Under such situation, one day Tatya came to meet Rani. This time he saw a unique type of glaze on Rani’s face. He started talking with her regarding political situations.
“In today’s political scenario, people had become aware, but majority of the kings and Nawab’s of our country are frightened by the terror of the British, whereas soldiers are giving them tough challenge.” Tatya told to Rani.
“You will see Tatya, one day that the mountain caves will echo the sound of ‘Cheers to victory’ by our soldiers.” Rani said.
“My heart was thrilling to listen this statement. It’s very good that you said it by your mouth.”
“Still a lot of work is to be done Tatya. Which type of army is to be deployed and at what place, is still to be decided. Where the war will be fought? This is also necessary to know.”
“Rani Sahiba! We had already think over it. For this Nana is also strongly rigid. You don’t worry. Your order will be carried out very strictly.”
“Tatya! You keep under your authority, the experts who make arms and ammunition.”
“OK. Rani Sahiba.”
“I had already established detective department for this.”
“This is very good news, Rani Sahiba.”
“I had deployed all my three friends on detective work. Some more women are working cautiously with them.”
“Rani Sahiba! On the other side, Nana is also seriously engaged in freedom struggle with his brother.”
“Tatya you also listen and also tell Nana clearly that full preparations are to be done to achieve freedom.”
“I will surely convey your message to Nana.” After saying this, Tatya left the palace. Next day he again came with two persons to meet Rani. They both were Deewans. One was Raghunath Singh and the other was Jawahar Singh.
“Tatya from where you are coming along with Jawahar,’’ Rani asked Tatya.
“Rani Sahiba! I am coming after picking him from his village,’’ Tatya replied. Jawahar stood in front of Rani after joining his hands—“I am waiting for that day Rani Sahiba; on which I get the opportunity to sacrifice my life for the sake of motherland.”
“Surely Jawahar Singh! Rani said. Thereafter Raghunath Singh spoke with folded hands—“I had understand everything from Tatya ji, Rani Sahiba!. You are like our mother. That’s why I had come here to execute your orders.” Jawahar Singh told—“Rani Sahiba! We want that you with your own hands sprinkle Ganga water (Ganga-Jal) on our swords to make it pious.”
Rani immediately sent her friend Sunder to bring Ganga-Jal. Soon she returned back. Rani sprinkled holy water on their swords.
“Your swords should be come out from sheath only on appropriate situations and when required. Do not use it in petty cases. The atrocity of the Britishers are increasing day by day. You have to stop them. Now the Britishers had also started killing cows. The people prayed to them a lot but they didn’t stopped. Perhaps God listens to their prayers and cow-killing shall be stopped.” Rani told to both of them.
“Please confer your blessings on us, Rani Sahiba! With your blessing no one can even touch us.” Raghunath told very politely.
These words touched the heart of Rani. She controlled herself and told—“May god bless you always. With your hands, the ideal of freedom should be executed. You let your impression with such type of work, that the coming seven generations should remember you, and you became their ideal.”
After receiving the blessings of Rani, both of them went away.
