JHANSI KEE RANI. We had a bit of a history lesson before leaving the city of Jhansi this morning. Our hosts told us that Jhansi was the beginning point of India’s freedom movement against Great Britain in 1857. The story goes that a 22-year old woman named Laxmi Bai, the recent widow of the area’s Maharaja (territorial prince), rallied the town to fight the British when they tried to seize control of the area after her husband’s death. Agreements between the Maharajas and the British stated that Indians would maintain control of an area as long as there was an heir. Laxmi Bai was childless, but she and her husband had adopted a son. Upon the Maharaja’s death, the British refused to recognize the child as the next prince and moved to take control. Rallying the town to resist the British and fight for their freedom, the people occupied the local hillside fort. A traitor in their midst opened the gates and the British forces flooded in. Laxmi Bai, with her child on her back and a horse under her, leaped from the high fort wall and escaped to continue the freedom challenge. She is revered as Jhansi kee Rani…the Queen of Jhansi. Photo: Statue of Laxmi Bai in the city where she made her stand against the British...Jhansi
MEETING SEBASTIEN. Our 100-kilometer / 62-mile ride north from Jhansi to Gwalior was smooth, but not uneventful. Riding through a small town, a young man from Lausanne, Switzerland named Sebastien rode up beside John. He rode with us and ate lunch with us. We learned that he had ridden alone from Katmandu, Nepal and was touring India, eventually intending to ride to Kolkata. He left us after lunch, but we came across him not long after—his bike had broken down. We hoisted his bike on the trailer and took him on in to Gwalior. Bob spent the next three hours taking apart and repairing his back wheel hub and gear assembly. The bike is now nearly good as new (great work, Bob!) and Sebastien will be able to continue his trek. Best wishes, friend!TEAM CHANGE. Gwalior is the location for our last exchange of Indian team members. We are saying farewell to host Ashok Sejaho and riders Yogish and Mashremkar (at 65 years of age, he’s been our oldest rider. Great job!). We welcome for the last stage of our journey a cadre from Mumbai (Bombay): host Shereesh Ahaley and riders Beejay and Raja. We look forward to getting on the road to New Delhi with them first thing Monday morning. Tomorrow,
Sunday, is an official rest day. A few of us may take a 60 km training ride / excursion in the afternoon, but not in the direction of Agra or New Delhi. Photo: Joe poses for a photo with some children who were playing cricket in a sand lot near the road. As soon as they saw a camera, the game was over...they came running.
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