A letter by Pinkney who had been appointed Commissioner in Jhansi after it had been retaken by the British. He carried out an investigation into the Rani's crimes. This letter is dealing with the confiscation of her property and that of Sadeshev Rao (the man who had attempted to supplant her).

It also notes that Damodar Rao is missing.

The evidence for the Rani's guilt is simply a summary. Some of the depositions are reproduced on this site and show many flaws. Even these summaries are questionable in both fact and interpretation.

This is reproduced from the "Relations of the Rani of Jhansi" edited by Sanjiv P. Desai and published by the Maharashtra Dept. of Archives. Spellings and punctuation are as given, possibly with a few mistakes of my own.

From: Major F. W. Pinkney, Commissioner, Jhansie Division.

To: H. L. Anderson Esquire, Secretary to Government, Bombay.

No. 1121F of 1859, Jhansi, dated 4th November 1859.

With reference to your letter No:3286 dated 11th August 1859 I have the honor to forward herewith a copy of my proceedings as Special Commissioner under the Penal Acts in the case of Musstt. Luchmee Baee, commonly called the Ranee of Jhansie. As one year must elapse from the date of the order for confiscation before the confiscation becomes final. I am unable at present to give any opinion regarding the ultimate disposal of the property.

2nd. Regarding the case of Sedasheo, son of Narrain a full report was made by me to you in my letter No.344 dated 30th June 1858. The confiscation in his case is final, and I would recommend that all property formerly his be sold and the proceeds credited to Government.

3rd. There is nothing against the other women mentioned in letter No. 1714 dated 26th July 1859, from G. Inverarity Esquire Assistant Collector of Poona to your address and I can get no trace of the Damodhur Rao Gangadhur (Son of Sewraw) mentioned in the same letter.

Enclosure to the above:

Camp Kurroura 4th November 1859

Government versus Ms. Luchmee Baee (widow of Gungadhur Rao Raja of Jhansi)
Commonly called the Ranee of Jhansi.

Charge -

1st. Rebellion against the British Government during the years 1857 and 1858.

2nd. Accessary before and after the fact to the murder of Captain Skene, Mrs. Skene, Doctor Mac. Egon, Mrs. Egan, Mr. Scott, and several other Europeans and Anglo Indians Jhansi in June 1857.

In June 1857 the sepoys at Jhansi mutinied Captain Skene, Captain F. Gordon and other Europeans and Anglo Indians, with their wives and families, took refuge in the fort, where they were besieged by the mutineers, Ranee's sepoys, police and customs chuprasseys for three days. At last on Captain F. Gordon being shot, Captain Skene and the rest to the number of 60 of all ages and sexes, surrendered on promise of good treatment but on coming out of the fort were immediately taken to the Jokum Bagh by the mutineers, Ranee's sepoys &ca. and murdered. The Ranee proclaimed herself ruler at Jhansi and that the British Govt. was at an end, made a present of money &ca, to the mutineers, set up a mint and collected the revenue of the country. To the above the evidence is as follows:

Deo Kemundan Lohar- The mutineers Ranee's sepoys and police all attacked the fort in which Captain Skene, F. Gordon and other gentlemen had taken refuge. The attack lasted 3 days and the Ranee during the fight gave the sepoys (Mutineers)' Sweetmeats &ca. on the 3rd day Captain F. Gordon was shot dead and Captain Skene and the other gentlemen surrendered, on which the mutineers, Ranee's sepoys, police &ca. took them and their wives and chi1dten to the Jokum Bagh and then murdered them. After this the Ranee of Jhansi proclaimed in Jhansi that her reign had begun and that the English Raj was over. She put up her flag in the fort, assembled the Mahajans &ca, to take a Nujjur from them, and set going a mint. The day the gentlemen &ca. were murdered the Ranee presented an elephant and some money to the mutineers. When the other body of mutineers arrived at Jhansi from Lullutpur [Lalitpur], the Ranee gave them a feast in the Jokum Bagh.

Madur Rux- When the gentlemen were beseiged in the fort, I tried to convey a letter to them, but was stopped by a guard of the Ranees sepoys, who said it is the Ranee's orders that no one is to enter the fort. After the gentlemen &ca., were murdered, the Ranee proclaimed herself ruler and set a mint going as long as the mutineers remained in Jhansi they and the Ranee were in continual communication, and she gave them a large sum of money.

Sahibodeen- The Ranee proclaimed herself ruler thus "Moolik Padishahka Hookum Ranee Ka", and she set up a mint.

Nazim Hosen- Stated as Sahibodeen and in addition- The Ranee also proclaimed while the gentlemen were besieged in the fort that no one was to supply them with provisions, but that all were to assist the fouj (mutineer's). When the Lullutpore mutineers came the Ranee gave them the Jokum Bagh to encamp in and supplied them with provisions.

Nuthoo Sing- The Ranee proclaimed herself Ruler and her sepoys assisted the mutineers in attacking the fort. On the 2nd day I was seized and taken prisoner to the Ranee's palace, and the order came from her to send me to the mutineers, as I had assisted the gentlemen. Her sepoys accordingly took me to them.

Trimbuk Rao- The Ranee, after the gentlemen were murdered, forbid us Amla to write to anyone, and having heard that Gopal Rao (Sheristadar) was writing information to different gentlemen she treated him very severely and caused all his property to be plundred.

Benee Pershad- When the gentlemen were in the fort, Mr. Scott, the two Purcells and I were sent by them to the Ranee to ask her to assist the gentlemen. On our quitting the fort Ghoonee (an Officer of the Ranee) took away our arms, and took us to the Ranee's palace, and the order came from the Ranee within that we were to be made over to the mutineers, which was done and Mr Scott and the Purcells were murdered in the mutineers lines in my presence. I was let go because I was a Brahmin.

Joona Lal- After the murder of the gentlemen &ca. the Ranee entered on the Govt. of the former Jhansi Raj mounted guns on the fort entertained soldiers and set going a mint. When the Orcha state began war with her she sent to the mutineers at Gwalior for help and she raised besides 1,500 villayettees, Mahrattas and sowars and posted them at Kurrara. After the defeat of the Oarcha troops before Jhansi she raised the walls, cleared the outskirts of trees and buildings, and enlisted more sowars and villayettees. A Pundit also came from Gwalior who, it was given out was a Mooktar of the Peshwa. The Ranee also proclaimed that after the English had taken Delhi a quarrel had arisen between them and the Seiks and that in consequence the Padshah had again got possession of that place (Delhi). Having heard that the English had taken Rahutgurh the Ranee sent a messenger to Banpoor to learn the truth. Some time after the Banpoor Raja came to Jhansi and left again for Kalpee, havjng told the Ranee that she could not hold out against the English. In the meantime the English army came and besieged Jhansi and when they took the town the Ranee fled.

After escaping from Jhansi the Ranee fought our troops at Koonch, Kalpee and Gawlior, and at the last place it is said she was killed and at all events she has not since been heard of.

I am of opinion that the charge is fully proved against Ms. Luchmee Baee, commonly called the Ranee of Jhansi, and I accordingly adjudge that all her property, real and personal, moveable and immoveable be forfeited to Government, and that her pension be resumed.

F. W. PINKNEY,
Commissioner of Jhansi,
Special Commissioner under the Penal Acts