British misrule in India

The British Rule in Jhansi, initiated the process of the insidious but steady decline of Jhansi. The Indian aristocracy and institutions were handed a death blow. The troops were cut; a few British officials replaced several Indian functionaries

A decline in the traditional economy followed swiftly. There was little market now for the fine carpets, brass work and carved furniture of which Jhansi had boasted; craftsmen became idle along with soldiers and shopkeepers. John Sullivan wrote “with the disappearance of the native court trade languished, the capital decayed, the people became impoverished while the Englishman flourished and acted like a sponge, drawing up riches from the Ganges and squeezing them down upon the banks of the Thames” [11]

Local religious considerations were obnoxiously set aside…cow slaughter was sanctioned. The temple of Lakshmi, for which revenue from two villages was set aside, was deprived of its income despite the Commissioner Gordon’s request to maintain the previous arrangement. In spite of the vigorous protests made by the Rani, on behalf of her people; the appeals were met with either callous contempt or an infuriating indifference.

Throughout her ordeal, which included losing her husband coupled with her dethronement; her composure and silent resolve to not fore go her people and her son’s future were astonishing to say the least. That, she could actually win over both foreigners who never in their wildest dreams believed that an Indian woman could present her so forcefully and coherently; and even the conservative Marathi Brahmin's despite her less than pious lifestyle expected of a high caste Hindu widow is indeed remarkable. That she was compared to Durga and Kali; the Hindu warrior goddesses are ample testimony to the fact that how she had sagaciously wielded religiosity as a political tool; verily the most powerful weapon in her arsenal. Tapti Roy says of her “She was the archetype of a devoted wife, a devout Hindu woman, a patron of the Brahmins and finally the wronged Rani, smarting under injustice of white rulers and fighting for the cause of her people much like Durga did in Hindu tradition.”

Meanwhile, John Lang, although a casual newcomer to the town could sum up the public feeling “the people of Jhansi did not wish to be handed over to the East India company’s rule”

But the British agents like Capt. Skene were in a different zone altogether and could not sense any danger even as late as May 18, 1857!