Story of Queen of Jhansi sung all over the country. She is still quoted for her bravery in the battlefield. She fought valiantly before falling irreversibly. Most of us consider it to be the end of the Jhansi’s royalty. 

But what escapes our memories is the story of the adopted child of Rani Laxmibai whom she carried with her on the battlefield. The royal couple of Jhansi did not have a real inheritance, as their first son unfortunately could not survive long enough. So the couple decided to adopt a young boy of three, Anand Rao. 

It was this son who was at the centre of the dispute between the British and Jhansi Pricely. Actually East India imposed a derogatory condition on princely states called Doctrine of Lapse. Under doctrine of lapse the EIC was entitled to annex any princely state under British suzerainty, if the ruler died without a legitimate heir. 

When the boy was adopted by Maharaja Gangadhar Rao of Jhansi, an application for recognition of the adaptation was sent to the EIC Bundelkhand office. But the Maharaja died before the recognition was received. After this the adoptive mother (Rani Laxmi)  also sent the note to the Lord Dalhosie to recognise him as the heir, but this appeal was also rejected, hence the beginning of the tussle. 

The East India Company declared the annexation of Jhansi, with a provision of annual pension of 5000 rupees, In addition to all the personal properties of Maharaja Gangadhar Rao. She denied the offer and exclaimed “Main Jhansi nahi dungi” ( I will not renounce Jhansi) and directly stood against British might for the pride of the populace of Jhansi.

Unfortunately Rani Jhansi fallen in the battle with Britishers in Gwalior. The son survived the battle with the handful of confidants of Rani. They had to spend nights in tough terrains and jungles. Villagers they found along the way were too sceptical to help them, as they afraid that it would invite the wrath of Britishers. 

It was hard to keep their souls intact as the weather was no help for them. The heat and unavailability of food posed an insurmountable challenge before them. Things would have gotten worse with the monsoon if they were not taken for pity by a village headman. He informed about the whatabouts of the British camps and also provided them with provisions while they kept hiding in the forest near River Betwa.  

As they were strangled for long, these inhospitable conditions took a toll on the health of the boy. He fell sick. His survival was managed only after bagging the village headman to arrange a traditional medicine practitioner. 

Running out of the resources, they decided to move on. But as the faith would have it, they were caught by the locals of a village of Shipri- Kolaras in Gwalior as they thought they were some kind of rebels due to our horses. Kept in local prison for 3 long days before being released. 

The fate would take a positive turn when they met political agent Mr Flink, he asked them to meet Raja Prithvisinh of Jhalrapatan. He had a great respect for Rani Lami Bai so he gave shelter to them. 

As they had to arrange for funds for their survival, they were forced to sell two Bracelets of Rani Laxmi Bai, which were the last remaining memory of the mother to the son. 

Later they met another political agent who convinced them to accept an annual pension of 10,000 on condition of keeping only 7 followers with the son. 

Later when the child hit 18 years of age, he asked Britishers to hand over the amount of 7 Lakhs that they held in trust with them in the name of Damodar Rao, he was led down. So we can visualise his financial condition was sub par and had to live in poverty. 

His descendants later adopted the surname “Jhansiwale”. 

Source - Itihasatil Sahali - इतिहासातील सहली By Y. N. Kelkar