JHANSI, APOSTOLIC PREFECTURE of. - It was erected on 12 Jan. 1940, its territory being detached from the diocese of Allahabad. It is situated in the interior of northern India (United Provinces). Its territory has an area of 10,470 sq. km., with a population of approximately 2,553,500 inhabitants, of whom only 2,000 are Catholics. It includes the civil districts of J. Jalaun, Hamirpur, and Banda. It is entrusted to the Capuchin Friars Minor of the province of Malta.
It borders on the jurisdictions of Indore, Ajmer, Agra, and Allahabad. Its personnel consists of some twenty fathers, of whom 6 are natives, 3 Indian secular priests, about thirty brothers, almost all indigenous, and approximately 20 Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The prefecture, which may be said to be only at its beginnings, has 7 principal stations and 6 secondary ones. It has a minor seminary, 2 orphanages with about a hundred orphans, 1 hospital, and 1 printing press. The elementary and secondary schools for young women are conducted by the Sisters of the B. V. S. Francis have numerous members.