Indu tries to stop Siddesh who keeps crying to meet the king but Gangadhar does not heed even the cries of a child. Laxmibai removes all her ornaments and wears a black sari. On the other hand, thoughts of allegations from his subjects for not providing an heir, and of Dalhousie asking him where the heir was, overwhelm the king. Gangadhar tells Moropant that Laxmibai could not be a good wife, a good mother or a good queen. Moropant apologises to Gangadhar and asks him to remarry. Meanwhile, Laxmibai's depression turns into hysteria. She then climbs the 'malkhamb' pole to find an answer to the king's ultimatum. On the other hand, Nelson writes a letter to Gangadhar informing him that an English battalion would be arriving in Jhansi soon. Back in the village, the midwife pleads with Karma and Samar to find a remedy for the queen's plight.