Plaque on Veerangana Jhalkari Bai Archaeological Museum at Jhansi Fort, Jhansi Unveiled
The Union Minister of Culture Smt. Chandresh Kumari Katoch and Union Minister of State for Rural Development Shri Pradeep Jain ‘Aditya’ here today jointly unveiled a plaque on Veerangana Jhalkari Bai Archaeological Museum at Jhansi Fort, Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh.
Veerangana Jhalkari Bai, a soldier in the army of Jhansi disguised herself as Rani Lakshmibai during the battle with the British and let Rani Lakshmibai escape safely out of the fort.
The setting up of the proposed museum was announced by the Minister of Culture Smt. Chandresh Kumari Katoch during the celebrations of 400 years of Jhansi Fort on 28th August, 2013. The museum is being set up to recognise the contribution of Veerangana Jhalkari Bai in the freedom movement.
Speaking after unveiling the plaque at National Museum, Smt. Katoch said Archaeological Survey of India has 44 museums under its Jurisdiction. Some of these are archaeological site museums and a few are period museums such as Fort Museum, Chennai; Kangra Fort Museum, Kangra etc. She said, Veerangana Jhalkari Bai Archaeological Museum at Jhansi Fort is being set up to emphasize the concept of period museum.
Union Minister of State for Rural Development Shri Pradeep Jain ‘Aditya’ in his speech paid glowing tributes to Veerangana Jhalkari Bai. He said, the gallantry of Jhalkari Bai is still a popular memory in the region of Bundelkhand and her brave act still continues to be sung through various Bundeli folklore. The Minister said that he has urged the Lok Sabha Speaker to install the statues of Rani Lakshmibai and Veerangaana Jhalkari Bai in the Parliament House complex.
The proposed museum would be set-up in Panch Mahal, a five storeyed building located inside Jhansi Fort. At present, stone sculptures of different sects collected from district Lalitpur (Uttar Pradesh) are kept in Rani Mahal, a late 18th century building located outside Jhansi Fort. It is proposed to display some of the sculptures, architectural remains besides other visual material to highlight the history, archaeology of the area and life history of the Rani Lakshmibai. Further, Archaeological Survey of India is also making efforts to procure Rani Lakshmibai’s sword on loan from the Directorate of Archaeology and Museum, Madhya Pradesh.
Jhansi fort was built by the Bundela Chief Raja Bir Singh Deo of Orchha in 1613 CE on the hill known as Bangara. It remained under the control of Bundelas, Mughals, Marathas and British. In February 1857, Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi appealed to her people to join the First War of Independence. She died on 18th June, 1958 while fighting with the British forces. Being related to the first freedom movement, this fort has a special importance in the heart of each and every Indian.
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(Release ID :104291)