Bikaner

In the heart of Western Rajasthan, the city of Bikaner shimmers like a glittering jewel in the hot summer sun. Dotted with scores of sand dunes, Bikaner famous for its indispensable ship of the desert still retains the medieval grandeur that permeates the city's lifestyle. Strategically located on the once thriving trade routes of West and Central Asia, the city of Bikaner stands on a slightly raised ground circumscribed by a seven km long embattled wall with five gates. While its magnificent forts and palaces, created with delicacy in reddish-pink sandstone, bear testimony to its rich historical and architectural legacy, the city's surging lanes, colorful bazaars with bright and cheerful folks make it an interesting place to explore.

Originally a cluster of 22 princely states, the history of Bikaner dates back to 1488 when a Rathore prince, Rao Bikaji, the son of Rao Jodha of Jodhpur converted a vast tract of barren land called "Jungladesh" into an impressive city. Named Bikaner after the founding figure, the city was found on the very area where an earlier civilization flourished. Various archeological surveys and excavations have established beyond doubt that the pre Harappan city of Kalibangan flourished here. Bangles, statues, coins and carvings of stones and clay excavated from the site stand as testimony to this fact.

The camel city of Bikaner boasts of some unique architectural marvels of India. The Junagarh fort remains unparallel in its splendor while the Victorian styled Lallgarh Palace show a fine amalgamation of Mughal and Rajput art in its stone and wood carvings. The Jain temples like Bhandasar temple, Neminath temple, Adeshwar temple are simply adorable. But it is largely for its havelis that Bikaner is more renowned. A marvel of Indian architecture, the old havelis of Bikaner are simply outstanding in terms of their carvings and paintings.

History of Bikaner :

Bikaner continued to play an important role in the history of Rajasthan. Very often they found themselves fighting with the other Rajput states especially Jodhpur in their quest for increasing their boundaries. Relations with the Mughals were very cordial and many rulers from the state held high ranks as Mansabdars of special order in the court of the imperial Mughals. As imperial military commander of various campaigns of the Mughals, they were also posted all over the Indian sub-continent as governors. Raja Rai Singhji, the sixth ruler of Bikaner was among the first Rajput Chiefs to join the Mughal alliance and was one of Akbar's most distinguished generals. The reign of Raja Anup Singh was the golden age of Bikaner. A great scholar and warrior, he collected a large number of rare manuscripts in Sanskrit and other languages whilst he was in Deccan and established a library in Bikaner. The library known as Anup Sanskrit Library is famous all over the world as a repository of ancient and medieval knowledge.

The next important ruler to sit on the throne of Bikaner was Maharaja Sri Ganga Singh, whose reign is marked for great Socio-Political and economic development in every sphere of life viz. - Education, Health, Sanitation, Electricity, Irrigation, Post & Telegraph, Roads & Railways, Trade & Commerce and so on. His reformative zeal put Bikaner on the path of modernity and led to its transformation from a principality to a premier princely state. A strong and foresighted ruler, he renovated the traditional administration, modernized the army, separated the judiciary from the executive, established a number factories and girls schools, constructed the famous "Gang Canal" (now the Indira Gandhi Canal) and provided a number of welfare schemes and hospitals.

The reign of Maharaja Sadul Singh saw India throw off the yoke of British rule. Among the heads of princely state of India, he was the first to sign the instrument of Accession by which this state merged into Indian union. His son and successor, Maharaja Dr. Karni Singh was an outstanding shooter who won laurels for the country by winning gold and silver medals in many Olympic and Asian Games in clay pigeon shooting. A great scholar, his book on the 'Relationship of Bikaner Royal Family with the central Authority' is a master piece in itself. Dedicated to the cause of Rajasthan, he later represented the Bikaner Parliamentary Constituency in the Lok Sabha for five consecutive terms lasting over a quarter of a century and incessantly pleaded for the inclusion of the Rajasthani language in the 14th Schedule of the Indian Constitution.

The current ruler Maharaja Narendra Singh continues to carry forward the rich traditions of the Bikaner Royal family and works tirelessly towards the further development of the state and the people at large.

How to Reach Bikaner

Bikaner By Road:

Bikaner By Air

Bikaner By Rail: