[1] The State of Jhansi was, however, reclaimed and ruled by Rani Laxmi Bai (also known as Manikarnika), one of the leading figures of the Indian Rebellion of 1857, from August 1857 to June 1858.

In 1729 Mohammed Khan Bangash attacked Chattrasal so later in 1732 Chhatrasal called in the aid of the Marathas to fight Mughals.

The Peshwa, Baji Rao I helped Maharaja Chattrasal and they jointly defeated the army of Muhammad Bangash.

In 1757 Naroshanker was recalled by the Peshwa; his successor was Madhav Govind Kakirde who was himself succeeded by Babulal Kanahai, who governed the area from 1757 to 1766.

The adoption was in the presence of the British political officer who was given a letter from the raja requesting that the child should be treated with kindness and that the government of Jhansi should be given to his widow for her lifetime.

After the death of the raja in November 1853 because Damodar Rao was adopted, the British East India Company, under Governor-General Lord Dalhousie, applied the Doctrine of Lapse, rejecting Damodar Rao's claim to the throne and annexing the state to its territories.

[6] Following this as the only source of authority in the city the Rani felt obliged to assume the administration and wrote to Major Erskine, commissioner of the Saugor division explaining the events which had led her to do so.

[7] The Rani's forces defeated an attempt by the mutineers to assert the claim to the throne of a rival prince who was captured and imprisoned.

She assembled forces including some from former feudatories of Jhansi and elements of the mutineers which were able to defeat the invaders in August 1857.

When the British forces finally arrived in March they found it well defended and the fort had heavy guns which could fire over the town and nearby countryside.

Sir Hugh Rose, commanding the British forces, demanded the surrender of the city; if this was refused it would be destroyed.

The bombardment began on 24 March but was met by heavy return fire and the damaged defenses were repaired.

[7] An army of more than 20,000, headed by Tatya Tope, was sent to relieve Jhansi but they failed to do so when they fought the British on 31 March.

[14] Rani Lakshmibai died of wounds received in the battle at Kotah ki Serai near the city of Gwalior on 17/18 June.