Historically, north-central India was the stronghold of Banderas, and the entire area was called Bonder Kand and Jhansi was its main territory. Jhansi was called Balwant Nagar when it was the home base of King Chandra from the 9th to 13th centuries. Around the 11th century, the city lost its importance, but in the 17th century, it regained importance under Raja Bir Singh Deo of Orchha, who built Fort Jhansi on the top of a rocky hill. The city became the capital of Maratha Province in the 18th century and later became the princely state of Jhansi between 1804 and 1853. 

The historic city of Jhansi is located between the Betwa and Pahunj rivers. It is synonymous with its brave queen Rani Lakshmibai, the brave queen who sacrificed her life fighting bravely with the British army during the First Indian War of Independence in 1857. The city gained prominence under the rule of Marathas. LaterJhansi was ruled by the Newarkans. During this period, the city continued to expand and develop. The city was formerly known as Shankargarh. At that time the capital of Banderas was Orchha. To enhance the safety of Orchha, King Bundela built a fort on a hill in Shankargarh. When he observed the remains of the new fort from his palace in Orchha, he informed his general that it looked like a Jhainsi (fuzzy shadow), and Jhansi was born.