Jhansi

Jhansi stands between the Pahuj and Betwa rivers in Bundelkhand. Its fort crowns a rocky hill above the settlement once known as Balwantnagar. Built by Bir Singh Deo of Orchha in the early seventeenth century, the stronghold became the centre of a town whose fortunes were closely tied to the Bundela chiefs and the Marathas. Its walls and gates command the surrounding approaches.

In 1613 Bir Singh Deo, an ally of the Mughal emperor Jahangir, began building the fort. Later, the Bundela leader Chhatrasal called on Peshwa Baji Rao for help against Muhammad Khan Bangash and granted the Marathas a share of his territory. Jhansi came under their influence, and in 1742 Naro Shankar became its governor. He enlarged the fort and added buildings, strengthening a regional seat that would remain important under successive rulers.