Jhansi Ki Rani

Mon - Fri @ 18:00 hrs SGT

Ek Veer Stree ki Kahaani... Jhansi Ki Rani is the story of an ordinary girl who went on to become an extraordinary ruler. Her defiance against the British is exemplary even today. The fervor that she aroused gave birth to various leaders and revolutionaries who finally freed our nation from the British.

The show attempts to bring forth the various facets of this remarkable woman which are yet unknown to people. The Rani is shown as a mother, as a wife, as a daughter, as a warrior and essays all the roles with equal aplomb. The show is a tribute to her bravery, gallantry and patriotism.

Born as Manikarnika, Lakshmi Bai, also known as 'Manu' was the daughter of a Maharashtrian Brahmin Moropant Tambe from Varanasi. While other girls of her age chose to do household chores, she played and defeated the local boys in muddy matches of kabaddi. She married Gangadhar Rao, who was the Raja of Jhansi, at a very tender age. It was after her husband's untimely demise, while she was still an adolescent that the agile Rani became a true warrior and an epitome of women's power in the country.

This historical tale attempts to portray how an ordinary woman became an extraordinary exponent of Indian freedom movement.

Cast:

Manu/Laxmibai, Gangadhar Rao, Moropant, Sakhu Bai, Aishree, Maharani Sahiba, Frasier

Manu Bai (Laxmibai)

Manubai (Laxmibai) was the daughter of Moropant Tambe. Inspite of being a Brahmin by birth, Manu displayed the qualities of a Kshatriya (warrior) in her.
She was an expert in horse riding, sword fighting, gun firing, malkhamb and also acquired the knowledge of ved, puran, geeta and other religious books.
She maintained the respect and dignity of her dynasty after she became the Queen of Jhansi. She was a righteous ruler and believed in imparting justice to all.
Manu carved her way into the hearts of the people to become an iconic and legendary figure in India.

Moropant Tambe

Manu's father Moro Pant Tambe was a soft-hearted, wise and learned Maharashtrian Shaishav Brahmin.
Inspite of being a single parent, he gave his daughter all the love of her mother. He imparted to his daughter all the necessary lessons and wanted her to always learn the best.

Vahini Sahib

Vahini Sahib is a fictitious character in the storyline. She plays a senior lady from the Peshwa family. A very authoritative character, she has a strong hold on Bajirao's family. She is a strict follower of royal customs. This creates disputes and conflicts with Manu.

Peshwa Baji Rao-2

Peshwa Baji Rao 2 of Pune came to Bithoor in 1818 after the treaty with British. He had to leave Pune and shift to Bithoor. He was a good ruler and adjusted well in Bithoor. He soon became popular among the local people.
He had two daughters and adopted two sons. He adored Manu a lot and called her Chabili with love. Manu called him Ajoba Sahib (grandfather).

Nana Saheb

Nana Saheb was the biological son of Madhav Narayan Rao but in 1839 he was adopted by Bajirao Peshwa 2 and thereafter became the Prince of Peshwas.
He was good looking and charming with attributes of kindness, bravery and intellect. He had great leadership qualities. His intellect and foresight came to the fore and brought him prominence in 1857.
Nana Saheb fathered the concept of "one country" for the then Hindustan, which was divided into princely states.
He was Manu's closest pal in childhood from whom she learnt sword fighting and horse riding.

Episode 519

After defeating Jiyaji Rao Scindia in the June 17 episode of Jhansi Ki Rani aired on Zee TV, Rao Sahab is crowned as the new king of Gwalior.

Dinkar Rao apologizes to Rao Sahab and offers to help him in administering the affairs of the kingdom.

Laxmibai has reservations about Rao Sahab's decision to trust Dinkar Rao. Her fears about Rao Sahab come true when he decides to celebrate his victory.

Meanwhile, Dinkar Rao informs Capt Mac about the differences between Laxmibai and Rao Sahab.

Capt Mac along with his army marches towards Gwalior. The British soldiers present in Gwalior rush to Capt Mac's aid.

Raghunath asks Laxmibai to prepare for battle with Capt Mac. Laxmibai exhorts the Indian soldiers in the British army to stop killing their countrymen and to join the freedom struggle.

On seeing Laxmibai, Capt Mac resolves to kill her and challenges her to battle with him.

Will Laxmibai defeat Capt Mac?

Episode 518

In the June 16 episode of Jhansi Ki Rani aired on Zee TV, Jiyaji Rao Scindia is alarmed on learning from the British message that one of his courtiers was helping the rebels.

Just before Raja Bahadur can reveal the truth to the Gwalior King, Dinkar Rao manages to accuse him of working against the interests of Gwalior. Raja Bahadur is arrested and imprisoned.

Laxmibai and Tatya Tope are surprised when they learn that Jiyaji Rao Scindia declares a war on them.

Lord Canning warns Capt Mac that he must take advantage of the battle between Laxmibai and Jiyaji Rao Scindia's army. He orders Capt Mac to kill Laxmibai.

Laxmibai and Jiyaji Rao Scindia's armies clash. In the midst of the battle, the British battalion also joins the battle on the side of the Gwalior army.

Laxmibai manages to defeat Jiyaji Rao Scindia. She tells the King that not only had he lost the battle but also respect. She allows Jiyaji Rao Scindia and Dinkar Rao to leave. Will Jiyaji Rao Scindia team up with the British?

Episode 517

In the June 15 episode of Jhansi Ki Rani aired on Zee TV, Jiyaji Rao Scindia learns about Laxmibai camping with her army at the border of the kingdom.

To stop Jiyaji Rao from meeting Laxmibai, Dinkar Rao warns the Gwalior king that Laxmibai might attack the kingdom as she came at the head of her army.

Laxmibai's messenger is killed and his corpse sent to Laxmibai. Laxmibai and her aides discover a message from Jiyaji Rao tied to Vasudev's corpse. Jiyaji Rao declares his support for the British and refuses to participate in the war. Laxmibai replies to Jiyaji Rao's message by firing a canon.

Unaware about the conspiracy, Jiyaji Rao is shocked by Laxmibai's response. But before Jiyaji Rao can declare war, a courtier, Raja Bhadur decides to personally meet Laxmibai.

Captain Mac is shocked to learn that Laxmibai is alive and about her plans to attack the Gwalior Commissionary. Capt Mac is ordered to march to Kanpur. Laxmibai is shocked and surprised when she learns from Raja Bhadur that Jiyaji Rao never received her message.

Episode 516

Capt Mac proves to his superiors that Laxmibai had been slain in battle in the June 14 episode of Jhansi Ki Rani aired on Zee TV.

Tatya Tope and Raghunath believe British would be misled by the death of Jhalkari Bai into believing that Laxmibai was dead.

Laxmibai decides to expose Queen Victoria's game plan before her countrymen. She decides to take on the British in a final and decisive battle.

Laxmibai and Tatya Tope are elated when Rao Sahab along with his army decides to join them in the freedom struggle. To strengthen the army, Laxmibai decides to seek the help of Gwalior king Jiyaji Rao Scindia.

Laxmibai sends a message to Scindia expressing desire to meet him. The message is received by Scindia's prime minster Dinkar Rao. Dinkar Rao passes on the message to the British.

Before proceeding towards Gwalior, Laxmibai decides to wait for Jiyaji Rao Scindia's reply. Dinkar Rao, who keeps a close watch on the movement of Laxmibai's army, is elated when it sets camp. On noticing a carriage, Laxmibai learns from Munder that she had hidden the telex messages in a similar carriage.

Episode 515

Munder reveals to Capt Mac about Laxmibai's plan in the June 13 episode of Jhansi Ki Rani aired on Zee TV.

Laxmibai and Tatya Tope wait for an opportune moment to save Munder. The duo overhears Munder telling Capt Mac that Laxmibai must have shifted Damodar to the care of tribals. Capt Mac orders Munder to be locked and leaves.

Later, Munder clarifies to Tatya Tope and Laxmibai that she pretended to be scared as she had seen the telex messages. Munder tells Laxmibai it is difficult to rob the telex as it was heavily guarded.

Jhalkari Bai, posing as Laxmibai, fires cannon at the Commissionary to divert Capt Mac's attention and facilitate the stealing of the telex message.

As confusion prevails, Munder robs the telex messages and hides it in a carriage.

To stop Capt Mac from going after Laxmibai, Jhalkari Bai instigates the soldiers to catch her. Jhalkari Bai hands over Damodar to Laxmibai and escapes. While fleeing, Jhalkari Bai is shot by the British soldiers. Capt Mac believes he has killed Laxmibai and celebrates.