Glimpses of the Untold History of the Indian Freedom Struggle - Part 16

The very moment Rani Lakshmibai’s body became lifeless, Sardar Manjunath Pahadi, dressed and bearing the mannerisms of a British soldier wasted not a single second. He lifted the queen’s body onto his horse and, shouting that he was taking the corpse to show Major Hugh Rose, swiftly rode into a densely wooded area.

The British camp itself was located within the forest. Even though nothing had been prearranged, as soon as Sardar Manjunath Pahadi began this act, Mundar Begum, Motibai, Rajkunwar, and Ramchandrarao who had been with the queen quickly followed him into the forest from different directions.

This part of the forest was known among the local people as “Khoon ki Ghati,” (the Valley of Death). A strong belief prevailed that ghosts and spirits roamed that region. Because of this, the Indian-origin soldiers in the British army had refused to cut down trees in that area. As a result, not a single Indian soldier pursued the British-looking rider, in truth, Sardar Manjunath Pahadi. In fact, when ten or twenty British soldiers attempted to follow, the Indian soldiers in the British army themselves restrained them.

Once the queen’s final rites were completed, Mundar Begum asked Sardar Manjunath Pahadi, “Had you already surveyed this Valley of Death beforehand? How did this idea occur to you?”

As they moved further through the forest, Sardar Manjunath Pahadi replied, “Rani Lakshmibai herself had instructed me to examine this valley carefully. On the very first night after we arrived in Gwalior, she gave me this order. Although I am a resident of Jhansi, this region of Gwalior is my maternal homeland. After I had surveyed it, one of the chief agents from our intelligence network, Sadhu Bhagwandas, spent the past fourteen days tirelessly spreading numerous rumors about this place among the British soldiers. As a result, British troops would not venture anywhere near this area for a considerable distance.

It was the same Sadhu Bhagwandas who met Rani Lakshmibai today, just before she rode out for battle, and it was based on his information that she determined the route for entering the British camp.

It is as though Rani Saheb had foreseen her own death and had even arranged for her final rites herself.”

For the first time, a sob escaped from Mundar Begum’s lips. Everyone around her turned toward her in surprise. It was certainly not the time for tears, and each of them tried to steady her.

But the brave Mundar Begum, the personal bodyguard of the Queen of Jhansi, swallowed her tears in a single moment and said, “That Sadhu Bhagwandas was none other than Rani Saheb’s father. Therefore, we must also prepare for his final rites.”

At these words, everyone was shaken. Folding his hands in reverence, Manjunath Pahadi said, “After witnessing her father’s death with her own eyes, Rani Saheb emerged within a minute and did not allow any of us standing outside to realize what had happened. The queen was, indeed great butalso her father who gave her birth, Shri Moropant Tambe, was equally great.

It was Moropant himself, in the guise of Bhagwandas, who had already informed me even before meeting Rani Saheb that behind the ruined temple in the ‘Valley of Death’, all the materials required for the final rites had been kept ready.

Blessed is such a father, and even more blessed his daughter! Both embraced death only after making arrangements for their own final rites. But what are we to do about Moropant now? How can we move within the fort? Hundreds of British soldiers are entering through different routes.”

Just then, from a small hill to their right, an elderly tribal man was seen descending slowly, carrying bundles of firewood tied together on his back. It was impossible for any British soldier to take notice of him. They were busy looting, and neither the poor old tribal man nor his bundles of wood held any interest for them.

Their attention was drawn to him only because he deliberately rolled a large stone down the slope.

All of them immediately readied their weapons. But Motibai stopped them, saying, “This is Sardar Lalabhau Bakshi (Ref: Kathamanjiri 4 - 10).He had told me he would remain behind. The peacock-feathered cap on his head was our sign.”

Within five minutes, Lalabhau Bakshi reached them, still carrying the pile of firewood on his back. Hidden within those bundles was Moropant’s body.

During his final rites, the same bundles of wood were used for the cremation. Mundar Begum gently covered Moropant’s body with the shawl she had carefully preserved from Rani Lakshmibai’s own shoulders.

As the funeral pyre burned, Ramchandrarao said in sorrow, “There were not even flowers to offer to them, nor even simple tulsi leaves. All I have is the Bhagavad Gita by heart.”

Motibai replied gravely, “Tulsi leaves must have been placed in their mouths by the Swayambhagwan Himself, and Mother Jagadamba must have showered flowers upon them.

Rajkunwar, you must save yourself and go meet your brother Bihari Lal. You two have been entrusted by Rani Lakshmibai with the sacred duty of spreading the true account of this freedom struggle among the people. Not a single wish of the queen must remain unfulfilled.”

“And it shall not remain unfulfilled!” came a firm voice.

It was Kamalkumari Chauhan, who had descended the hill by the same path as Lalabhau did. She had safely escorted Prince Damodar Rao to a secure location and had now returned.

Motibai’s leadership was accepted by everyone present. Rani Lakshmibai herself had appointed her as the chief political adviser. Taking everyone along, Motibai descended into the valley. In total, there were sixteen men, along with four women — Motibai, Kamalkumari, Rajkunwar, and Mundar Begum.

After speaking carefully with all of them, Motibai announced the decision:

“The foremost traitor, Sardar Dulherao, must be executed and not before he is made to pay for his betrayal. And after that, Brigadier Smith, who stabbed Rani Lakshmibai in the back, must be put to death slowly and painfully.

The killing of Dulherao must strike terror into traitors across India, and the killing of Brigadier Smith must instill fear among the British.”

The elderly Sardar Lalabhau Bakshi said, “And both these executions must take place before hundreds of people. But while carrying them out, each of us must be prepared to die.”

Lalabhau Bakshi then asked everyone to take an oath:“The killing of Dulherao and Brigadier Smith shall be our true tribute to Rani Lakshmibai and to our countless fallen comrades. The only worthy offering to warriors is one written in blood.”

For the first time, the slogan resounded:

“Victory to Rani Lakshmibai! Victory to Mother India!”

(The story continues........)