I do not have access to the original source
material, but where I have found a document quoted I have transcribed it
as faithfully as possible and have avoided changes to format, spelling,
etc.. I have used the most complete document available. In general these
documents are actually extracts from the original. Where I, or someone
else, has added an explanatory comment it is in square brackets ([]). Missing
text is indicated by ellipsis (...) unless it is at the beginning or end
of the document in which case it may be assumed.
In general the documents listed below are in chronological order
with the exception of the statements of witnesses to the mutiny
and massacre. These statements were made sometime after the
events but I have chosen to list them according to the date of
the events rather than the date of the document, in order to
provide a more coherent narrative, but be aware that this
testimony was not necessarily available to the British at that time.
The documents will appear in a separate pop-up style window.
If you are clever and arrange the 2 windows sensibly you can
simply click through the documents.
| 1853 Nov 4 |
Sleeman, William |
Major Malcolm |
A letter to Major Malcolm giving Sleeman's view on how the
Rani should be treated.
|
| 1853 Dec 3 |
Jhansi Rani |
Dalhousie |
The first of her letters contesting the
annexation |
| 1854 Feb 16 |
Jhansi Rani |
Dalhousie |
The second of her letters contesting the
annexation. |
| Prior to 1854 Feb 26 |
Council of Dalhousie |
Dalhousie |
Extract of report on the succession of
Jhansi |
| 1854 Feb 27 |
Dalhousie et al |
|
Draft justification for annexing Jhansi. |
| 1854 Mar |
Lang, John |
|
Lang's account of his consultation with the Rani. |
| 1854 Mar 25 |
Dalhousie |
|
Extract of a minute regarding the inheritance
rights of Damodar Rao. |
| 1854 Apr 22 |
Jhansi Rani |
Dalhousie |
Her third letter requesting a delay in
the annexation, but declaring that Jhansi would not resist the annexation
with force. |
| Unknown |
Mrs Mutlow |
|
Her statement with respect to the mutiny
and massacre |
| 1858 Mar 23 |
Sahibuddin. one of Skene's orderlys |
|
His statement with respect to the mutiny
and massacre. |
| Unknown |
Unnamed customs clerk |
|
His statement with respect to the mutiny
and massacre |
| Unknown |
Captain P.G. Scot |
|
His report gleaned from three independent
witnesses on the mutiny and massacre. |
| Unknown |
Aman Khan, Jhansi mutineer |
|
An extract from his statement regarding
the involvement of the Rani. |
| 1857
Jun 12 |
Jhansi Rani |
Major Erskine |
Written immediately after the mutineers
left Jhansi. It describes the events of the mutiny, massacre and the initials
steps she has taken to restore order. |
| 1857 Jun 14 |
Jhansi Rani |
Major Erskine |
A follow up letter with an accompanying
report (not available here) on the status of Jhansi and a more detailed
report of the mutiny and massacre. |
| 1857
Jun 14 |
Jhansi Rani |
Major Erskine |
The Narrative of Events that accompanied
her letter of June 14th 1857. |
| 1857
Jun 29 |
Major Ellis |
Secretary to Lord Canning |
Telegram giving an account of the mutiny
and massacre from some Indians who had been inside the fort. |
| 1857
Jul 2 |
Major Erskine |
Jhansi Rani |
Requesting her to assume control of Jhansi
until a new Superintendent can be sent. |
| 1857
Jul 2 |
Major Erskine |
|
The Proclamation sent to the Rani with
his letter of 2nd July 1857 |
| 1857 Jul 2 |
Major Erskine |
Secretary to Lord Canning |
Giving the Rani's accounts of events,
detailing his own actions, and other events. |
| 1857 Jul 23 |
Secretary to Lord Canning |
Major Erskine |
Giving conditional approval to Erskine's
actions and expressing doubt on the Rani's veracity. |
| 1857
Aug 18 |
Mr Thornton/Major Erskine |
Unknown |
Extract from a statement implicating the
Ranee in the massacre. |
| 1857 Nov 19 |
Gulam Muhammad, one of Skene's orderlys |
|
His deposition before a magistrate with
respect to the mutiny and massacre. |
| 1858 Jan 1 |
Jhansi Rani |
Sir Robert Hamilton, Agent Governor General
for Central India |
Detailing the troubles with Orchha and
Datia and pleading for help. |
| 1858
Jan 8 |
Unknown |
|
Extract of British intelligence report
of comments by the Rani that she would not fight the British. |
| 1858
Jan 16 |
Gopal Rao, record keeper of Jhansi |
Major Erskine |
Reporting political and military preparations
in Jhansi |
| 1858
Feb 14 |
Jhansi Rani (assumed) |
|
Proclamation of rebellion |
| Early 1858 |
Jhansi Rani |
|
Translation of a letter to the Raja of Banpur and others |
| 1858 Apr 30 |
Hugh Rose |
|
Rose's account of the siege and capture of Jhansi |
| Unknown |
Vishnu Godse |
|
Extract from his account of the massacre
in Jhansi |
| Early April 1858 |
Jhansi Rani |
|
Translation of a letter to the Raja of Banpur and others |
| 1858
Jun 11 |
Secretary to Lord Canning |
Mr R Hamilton |
Advising Hamilton that a reward may be
given for the capture of the Rani |
| 1858 Oct 13 |
Gen Hugh Rose |
Chief of Staff |
Extract from Rose's report on the battle for Gwalior
in which he mentions the death of the Rani |
| 1858 Jun 25 |
Brig. M W Smith |
Gen Hugh Rose |
Smith's report on the actions around Kotah-ki-Serai |
| 1858 Nov 4 |
Pinkney F. W. |
Secretary to Government, Bombay |
A letter explaining the confiscation of property of the
Rani and others, along with a summary of the evidence
against the Rani.
|
| 1889 Aug 20 |
T. A. Martin |
Damodar Rao |
Letter of unknown provenance exonerating
the Rani of complicity in the massacre of the British. |
| 1897 Summer |
Mr. Martin |
John Venables Sturt |
Extracts from three letters by a Mr Martin to John Venables Sturt
telling of the death of the Rani, her innocence of rebellion,
and mentioning an autobiography of Damodar Rao and a biography
of the Rani by Damodar Rao.
|
| 1912 |
G. W. Forrest |
|
Short extract from Forrest's Introduction to his Selections
From The State Papers Preserved In The Military Department.
|
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