The letter said: The Queen herself should come out and meet the British officers. She shouldn't bring troops along. If she did not come within two days, she should be ready for the battle.
The Queen sent a reply: My delegation will meet you. But I being a lady, would not come out. Captain Gordon handed over this state to us, with papers. I maintain a small army for security of the province, and a few cannons. We never think of going to war with the British, whatever you may have been told.
The British then sent out dispatches everywhere, summoning forces. Some troops were sent towards Kalpi, so as to stop Peshwa and Tatya Topi, and not allow them to come to the Queen's aid.
The Queen too sent a few horsemen to Raosaheb at Kalpi with a message: We are going into war, we count on your help. You may attack the British from outside.
Raosaheb agreed.
The British had it announced in the villages surrounding Jhansi that there will be a slaughter in the city for three days once it fell. Everyone above the age of five will be put to death. So no one should venture into Jhansi in this period.
Then came the month of Chaitra. The Queen held a haldi-kunku . Married women of the gentry families were invited. It was a big affair.
Marwaris and other money-lenders in Jhansi sent their families to Gwalior, along with the cash. Then the month of Vaishakh was upon us. British forces gathered outside the city wall. Their camps dotted the area, fires were lit. British had about sixty thousand troops, plus some thirty thousand camp followers. The city was now encircled.
