Jhansi was a Maratha-ruled princely state in Bundelkhand. When the Raja of Jhansi died without a biological male heir in 1853, it was annexed to the British Raj by the Governor-General of India under the doctrine of lapse. His widow, Rani Lakshmi Bai, the Rani of Jhansi protested against the denial of rights of their adopted son. When war broke out, Jhansi quickly became a center of the rebellion.

On 12th May Delhi was seized and Bahadur Shah II was proclaimed the emperor of India. The real command was in the hands of Bakht Khan who had led the revolt at Bareilly and brought the troops to Delhi.

Nana Saheb led the struggle for Independence at Kanpur. The British surrendered in June 1857. A large number of Englishmen, women and children were captured by an infuriated mob. The British defeated Nana Saheb in December, 1857. Nana Saheb fled towards Nepal, where he probably died. His general, Tantia Tope, escaped to Kalpi.

The Revolt of 1857 was a prolonged period of armed uprising as well as rebellions in Northern and Central India against British. It began in Meerut by Indian troops (sepoys) in the service of the British East India Company and later spread to Delhi, Agra, Kanpur, and Lucknow. In Awadh and Lucknow, the mutiny was led by Begum Hazrat Mahal. After a long siege, Lucknow was again re-captured by the British, forcing Hazrat Mahal to retreat in 1858.

Source: NCERT