Rani Lakshmi Bai Of Jhansi and Field Marshal Sir Hugh Rose: Illegal annexation by the British(1858)

Jhansi Rani of Gwalior learnbseb.in

Jhansi_Fort MP en.wikipedia.org

Jhansi Fort, Hallway, Gwalior, MP

Queen Jhansi Rani's kingdom was placed under the Doctrine of Lapse introduced by Lord Dalhousie to annex the land as Lakshmi Bai did not have a legal heir to the throne. Infuriated Jhansi Bai with her army was ready to face the British army with courage of conviction and commitment.

Field Marshal Sir Hugh Rose, as commander of the Central Indian Field Force, was instrumental in suppressing the Indian Rebellion of 1857 in Central India, and his campaign brought him into direct and historic conflict with Rani Lakshmibai, the Queen of Jhansi.

British annexing Jhansi, central India .slideshare.net

Sir Hugh Rose,shutterstock.com

The Siege of Jhansi

Rose's relentless march to clear the rebels from the region saw him arrive at Jhansi on March 21, 1858. The city, which the Rani had taken control of after the initial uprising, was considered a crucial rebel stronghold. Rose demanded its surrender, but the Rani, determined to fight for her independence, famously proclaimed her refusal, ready to face the British forces.

The siege of Jhansi was intense. On April 1, 1858, Rose achieved a significant victory by defeating a large relieving force of over 20,000 men under the famous rebel general Tatya Tope at the Battle of Betwa. Rose, fielding only about 1,540 men, was able to rout the enemy, inflicting heavy losses and capturing all their stores, a testament to his tactical skill. With the outside threat neutralized, Rose's forces stormed and captured Jhansi on April 4, 1858.

The Rani's Daring Escape and Final Stand

Despite the fall of her city, Rani Lakshmibai showed exceptional courage and ingenuity. She refused to be captured, making a daring escape from the fort at night. Legend holds that she jumped from the fort wall on horseback, with her adopted son, Damodar Rao, strapped to her back, though some accounts suggest she slipped away through a less guarded area.

She fled to Kalpi, where she joined forces with other prominent rebel leaders, including Tatya Tope. Rose continued his pursuit, capturing Konch and Kalpi in May 1858, further dispersing the rebel forces.

The rebels’ final, desperate move, likely suggested by the Rani herself, was to march on Gwalior and capture the city from the Maharaja, who was a British ally. The rebels seized the fort and treasury in early June 1858. Though exhausted, Rose immediately resumed command—canceling his sick leave—and moved swiftly on Gwalior. The final battle saw the British forces recapture the city in June 1858.

A Man Among Mutineers

It was in the battle for Gwalior, near Kotah-ki-Serai, that the Rani of Jhansi was killed, fighting fiercely while dressed as a cavalry leader. Her bravery and military acumen earned her immense respect even from her adversaries. Rose himself, in his dispatches, paid her the highest tribute, calling her "the best and bravest military leader of the rebels, a man among mutineers."

Hugh Rose's Central India campaign, culminating in the capture of Jhansi and Gwalior, broke the back of the rebellion in the region, establishing his reputation as a formidable and relentless commander, and cementing Rani Lakshmibai's legacy as a fiery symbol of Indian resistance. He later rose to be Commander-in-Chief, India, and was made Baron Strathnairn with the sub-title "of Jhansi" in recognition of his service.

Honoring Field Marshal Hugh Rose who led brutal campaign against Brave queen of Jhansi

Barnes Court ;Shimla, Himachal Pradesh

Above image: Barnes Court ; the summer residence of Sir Hugh Rose ; Commander in chief of India ; Shimla ; Shimla ; Himachal Pradesh, India. Image: Dinodia Photos.

Memorial at Knightsbridge

The statue, sculpted by E. Onslow Ford, RA, was initially erected in a place of great prominence: Knightsbridge, London, near Hyde Park. This location, central to the British establishment, was intended to perpetually celebrate Rose as a hero who defended the honour and integrity of the British Empire. The monument, depicting Rose on his charger—a horse that had accompanied him during the pivotal Indian campaign—stood as a testament to his military prowess and dedication. For decades, it served its purpose, standing alongside other memorials to colonial-era military figures, confirming Rose's place in the national narrative as a loyal and successful servant of the Crown.

Removal and Reassessment

Equestrian state of F. Marshal Hugh Rose shutterstock.com

Above image: Statue of Hugh Rose, 1st Baron Strathnairn at Griggs Green (originally positioned in Knightsbridge.........

However, the statue's prominence was not to last. In 1931, the monument was removed from Knightsbridge and placed into storage. While the immediate catalyst for its removal was ostensibly the need for urban planning and road reconfiguration, the long-term context relates to a broader shift in the 20th century regarding public memory and the commemoration of colonial figures.