Annexation of Jhansi

The Annexation of Jhansi was one of the most consequential episodes in the expansionist policy of the British East India Company in India during the nineteenth century. It took place in 1853, under the controversial Doctrine of Lapse, which allowed the British to annex princely states that lacked a natural male heir. The annexation not only marked a significant extension of British control in Central India but also sowed deep resentment among Indian rulers, culminating in the active participation of Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi in the Revolt of 1857.

Background of the State of Jhansi

Jhansi was a princely state situated in Bundelkhand, in present-day Uttar Pradesh. The state had been established in 1613 and later came under the suzerainty of the Marathas in the eighteenth century. In 1804, during the Second Anglo-Maratha War, the Raja of Jhansi entered into a treaty with the British East India Company, recognising the Company’s authority while retaining internal autonomy.
Under this treaty, the ruler agreed to maintain loyalty to the British and, in return, was assured hereditary succession to the throne. Jhansi remained peaceful and prosperous under the successive rulers who maintained friendly relations with the British.

Raja Gangadhar Rao and the Doctrine of Lapse

The last ruling monarch of Jhansi was Raja Gangadhar Rao, who ascended the throne in 1838. His reign was marked by internal reforms and attempts to modernise the administration. However, the Raja remained childless. In 1853, shortly before his death, he adopted a son named Damodar Rao (also known as Anand Rao), the biological son of his cousin. The adoption was carried out in accordance with Hindu customs and the long-standing traditions of Indian princely states.
After the Raja’s death in November 1853, his widow, Rani Lakshmibai, notified the British authorities and requested that her adopted son be recognised as the rightful heir to the throne. However, the British Governor-General at the time, Lord Dalhousie, rejected the request under the provisions of the Doctrine of Lapse.

The Doctrine of Lapse

The Doctrine of Lapse was a political policy introduced by Lord Dalhousie (Governor-General of India, 1848–1856) to expand British dominion in India. According to this doctrine, any princely state under the suzerainty of the East India Company would be annexed if the ruler died without a natural male heir. The adoption of a successor was not recognised unless approved by the British Government.
Dalhousie justified the policy as a means of ensuring administrative efficiency and preventing succession disputes. However, in practice, it was a tool for imperial expansion and was deeply resented by Indian rulers as it violated traditional Hindu law and royal custom.
Under the Doctrine of Lapse, several states were annexed before Jhansi, including:

• Satara (1848)
• Jaitpur (1849)
• Sambalpur (1849)
• Baghat (1850)
• Udaipur (1852)
• Nagpur (1853)

Jhansi became one of the most notable victims of this policy.

British Annexation of Jhansi

In March 1854, the British authorities formally annexed Jhansi, refusing to recognise Damodar Rao’s succession. Rani Lakshmibai was granted an annual pension of ₹60,000 and ordered to vacate the fort and royal palace. Despite her protests and petitions to the British authorities in Calcutta (Kolkata) and London, her appeals were ignored.
The annexation was carried out in a manner that deeply humiliated the Rani. The state’s administration, revenue, and military were taken over by the East India Company, and the Rani was reduced to a symbolic figure without political authority.

Reaction of Rani Lakshmibai

Rani Lakshmibai, known for her intelligence, courage, and sense of justice, refused to accept the annexation passively. Although she initially complied with British orders and lived in Jhansi under surveillance, she began strengthening her connections with local nobles, military officers, and neighbouring rulers.
Her sense of injustice over the British decision to deny her adopted son’s right to the throne turned her into one of the strongest opponents of British rule. The annexation of Jhansi became a symbol of British betrayal and imperial arrogance, igniting resentment that would later find expression in the Revolt of 1857.

Role of Jhansi in the Revolt of 1857

When the Indian Rebellion of 1857 broke out, Jhansi emerged as one of the major centres of resistance. In June 1857, following the outbreak of mutiny among Indian sepoys in the Jhansi garrison, the local British officials and their families were killed, though the extent of the Rani’s involvement remains debated.
Subsequently, Rani Lakshmibai assumed control of Jhansi’s administration, proclaiming that she was ruling on behalf of her minor son, Damodar Rao. She fortified the city, organised an army, and prepared to defend her territory against the British.
In March 1858, British forces led by Sir Hugh Rose besieged Jhansi. The Rani displayed extraordinary courage, leading her troops from the front and inspiring her soldiers to resist fiercely. Despite a valiant defence, Jhansi fell after intense fighting. Rani Lakshmibai escaped the fort and continued to fight alongside Tatya Tope and other rebel leaders. She was ultimately killed in battle at Gwalior on 18 June 1858, becoming an immortal symbol of resistance and sacrifice in India’s freedom struggle.

Consequences of the Annexation

The annexation of Jhansi had both immediate and long-term consequences:

1. Political Consequences:
   • It extended the territorial control of the East India Company in Central India.
   • However, it alienated Indian rulers and exposed the injustice of British expansionist policies.
2. Social and Psychological Impact:
   • The humiliation of Rani Lakshmibai became a rallying point for Indian pride and resistance.
   • The event eroded trust between Indian rulers and the British administration.
3. Catalyst for Revolt:
   • The annexation under the Doctrine of Lapse became one of the key causes of the Revolt of 1857, as it symbolised the disregard of Indian traditions and sovereignty.
4. End of Doctrine of Lapse:
   • The strong criticism and resistance following the Revolt led to the abandonment of the Doctrine of Lapse after 1858. When the British Crown took direct control of India, Queen Victoria’s Proclamation of 1858 guaranteed the right of Indian princes to adopt heirs.

Significance in Indian History

The annexation of Jhansi stands as a defining moment in colonial Indian history for several reasons:

• It epitomised the imperialist aggression of British policy under Lord Dalhousie.
• It revealed the clash between Indian traditions and colonial law.
• It produced one of India’s greatest national heroines — Rani Lakshmibai, who became a symbol of patriotism, courage, and resistance.
• It demonstrated how economic and administrative policies could lead to political and moral rebellion