The city of Jhansi is also known as the city of the valiant Rani Laxmi Bai. Situated at a height of 935 feet, the city lies on a plateau in Central India. According to folklore, a conversation between the Raja of Orchha and the Raja of Jaitapur gave the city its name. The former asked the latter if he could distinguish the Jhansi fort from others and the Raja of Jaitapur replied that he could see it ‘jhainsi’. Jhainsi later became to be known as Jhansi and the city was called so thereafter. The fort of Jhansi is one of the most strategically built forts in Central India.
The Jhansi fort was built in the 17th century by Raja Bir Singh. The fort which was built on the Banjara hill had served as a stronghold for revolutionaries against the British. Today, it is an important tourist place and houses a museum that contains many beautiful sculptures. The Karak Bijli tank is also a popular tourist attraction of Jhansi.
There are other places of tourist interest too in Jhansi such as the Shri Kali Temple, the Karguan Jain Temple, the Shrine of St Jude Church, Gangadhar Rao ki Chatri and Jari ka Math.
Jhansi can be reached easily by train. The nearest railhead is the Jhansi Junction from where direct trains to most major cities in the country originate. The city is located at the junction of several National Highways and hence can easily be reached through buses. The nearest airport is the Jhansi Airport which was originally a military aviation base built during the British rule.
