“One of those who fought to the last on the rebels’ side was the
Ranee, or Princess, of Jhansi, whose territory had been one of our
annexations. For months after the fall of Delhi she contrived to
baffle Sir Hugh Rose and the English. She led squadrons in the field.
She fought with her own hand. She was engaged against us in the battle
for the possession of Gwalior. In the uniform of a cavalry officer she
led charge after charge, and she was killed among those who resisted
to the last. Her body was found upon the field, scarred with wounds
enough in the front to have done credit to any hero. Sir Hugh Rose
paid her the well-deserved tribute which a generous conqueror is
always glad to be able to offer. He said, in his general order, that
‘The best man upon the side of the enemy was the woman found dead, the
Ranee of Jhansi.’”—Justin McCarthy (“History of Our Own Times,” chap.
xiii).