From the Virangana Laxmibai Railway station the Jhansi fort is only around 4 kms ,from where  auto rickshaw and buses can be availed easily to reach the fort .   Through the huge gates we went to the small Ganesh temple where Rani Laxmi Bai came regularly during her stay .  The stairs by the side of the temple took us to the Shankar bhawani canon with whose power once roared the town.  Rani laxmibai , a name that needs no introduction . An epitome of courage and personification of valour, the Rani of Jhansi, Laxmi Bai got married to the Raja of Jhansi, and lived in this same fort which we have come to visit today .     The view  of the city can be enjoyed from the fort . When the fort was besieged by the British,   Rani Lakshmi Bai leaped on horse back Badal,from a great height, to escape the English forces. Even though the Queen was saved , unfortunately , the great height,  turned fatal for the faithful horse and it succumbed to death .    In our twenties when most of us complete our studies and try to find different avenues to settle down in life, Laxmibai in her twenties , was very clear with her views . Even after losing her son and husband, instead of surrendering before her enemies, she protected the independence of her kingdom from the British , and in the process lost her life at a tender age ..   Rani Laxmibai resided at the first floor of the Panch Mahal , and the ground floor of which was used by her as the conference hall .   At a ten minutes walking distance from the fort lies the Rani Mahal . The palace built in the typical Martha style, was constructed  by the Nawalkar family who were one of the subedars of Jhansi . The ground floor exhibits some mutilated Marvels of Hindu Buddhist and Jain religions which were discovered from the neighbouring areas of jhansi .  After the death of her husband, Rani Laxmibai lived here for a brief period . The only attraction of the palace is her room , which is painted with bright red hues. The meticulous floral Frescos made of natural colours are  very vivid .   In her short span of life Rani Laxmibai made such big contributions , that today she remains an unforgettable hero in the gory history of Indian independence .  The small town of Jhansi which is not much of a tourist's delight ,  could have been lost in ignorance in the dry Bundelkhand , but it shines in it's own glory, and have become synonymous to the Virangana Laxmibai.