Elephant Hunt of Maharaja Anup Singh of Bikaner - Google Art Project

Raja Karan Singh of Bikaner, Auranzeb's ally and enemy

Bîkâner-Junagarh Fort-41-Darbar Hall-20131008

Bikaner State was a princely state in the Rajputana from 1465 to 1947. The founder of the state,

Rao Bika Rao Bika Rathore (5 August 1438 – 17 June 1504), was the founder of the Kingdom of Bikaner in present-day Rajasthan. He was a scion of the Rathore clan of Rajputs. He was a son of Rao Jodha, founder of the kingdom of Marwar. Establishme ...

, was the eldest son of

Rao Jodha Rao Jodha Rathore(28 March 1416 – 6 April 1489) was a ruler of Mandore in the present-day state of Rajasthan. He was the son of Rao Ranmal (Rao Ridmal) of the Rathore clan. He is known for his illustrious military career and for founding the c ...

, ruler of

Jodhpur Jodhpur (; ) is the second-largest city in the Indian state of Rajasthan and officially the second metropolitan city of the state. It was formerly the seat of the princely state of Jodhpur State. Jodhpur was historically the capital of the ...

chose to build his own kingdom instead of inheriting his father's. Bika defeated the Jat clans of Jangladesh along with his uncle Rao Kandhal and his adviser Vikramji Rajpurohit and founded his own kingdom. Its capital was the city of

Bikaner Bikaner () is a city in the northwest of the state of Rajasthan, India. It is located northwest of the state capital, Jaipur. Bikaner city is the administrative headquarters of Bikaner District and Bikaner division. Formerly the capital of ...

in the northern area of present-day

Rajasthan State Rajasthan (; lit. 'Land of Kings') is a state in northern India. It covers or 10.4 per cent of India's total geographical area. It is the largest Indian state by area and the seventh largest by population. It is on India's northwestern si ...

India India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...

. Karni Mata has been designated as the kuldevi of the Royal family of Bikaner. The state was noted for the

Bikaner style of painting The Bikaner style of painting is a Rajasthani style of Indian painting developed in the city of Bikaner, capital of a wealthy but isolated state, much of it the Thar desert. It is one of the many schools of Rajput painting that developed in t ...

. Covering an area of , Bikaner State was the second largest state under the

Rajputana Agency The Rajputana Agency was a political office of the British Indian Empire dealing with a collection of native states in Rajputana (now in Rajasthan, northwestern India), under the political charge of an Agent reporting directly to the Governor ...

after

Jodhpur State Kingdom of Marwar, also known as the Jodhpur State under the British, was a kingdom in the Marwar region from 1226 to 1818 and a princely state under British rule from 1818 to 1947. It was established in Pali by Rao Siha, possibly a m ...

with a revenue of Rs.26,00,000 in 1901. Heeding the 1947 call of

Vallabhbhai Patel Vallabhbhai Jhaverbhai Patel (; ; 31 October 1875 – 15 December 1950), commonly known as Sardar, was an Indian lawyer, influential political leader, barrister and statesman who served as the first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister of I ...

to integrate the princely states into the new independent India, Bikaner's last king, Maharaja Sadul Singh, advised by his ''

dewan ''Dewan'' (also known as ''diwan'', sometimes spelled ''devan'' or ''divan'') designated a powerful government official, minister, or ruler. A ''dewan'' was the head of a state institution of the same name (see Divan). Diwans belonged to the e ...

'' K. M. Panikkar, a respected historian, was one of the first rulers of a princely state to display willingness to join the Indian Union. By issuing a public appeal in April 1947 to his fellow princes to join the

Constituent Assembly of India The Constituent Assembly of India was elected to frame the Constitution of India. It was elected by the 'Provincial Assembly'. Following India's independence from the British rule in 1947, its members served as the nation's first Parliament as ...

, the Maharaja of Bikaner set an example for other heads of the native states to follow.

History

The state of Bikaner was founded in 1465. It became a British protectorate on 9 March 1818. They were accorded a 17

gun salute A gun salute or cannon salute is the use of a piece of artillery to fire shots, often 21 in number (''21-gun salute''), with the aim of marking an honor or celebrating a joyful event. It is a tradition in many countries around the world. Histo ...

by the British authorities. By the time of Indian Independence, the territory of the state of Bikaner shared a border with

Pakistan Pakistan ( ur, ), officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan ( ur, , label=none), is a country in South Asia. It is the world's fifth-most populous country, with a population of almost 243 million people, and has the world's second-lar ...

. The accession to the Indian Union was signed by the Maharaja on 7 August 1947.

Rulers

The rulers were Rathor Rajputs. Related to the ruling family of Jodhpur.

Rao/Raja's

*1465 – 1504 Rao Bika *1504 – 1505 Rao Nar Singh (Naro) *1505 – 1526 Rao

Lunkaran Lunkaran (12 January 1470 – 30 March 1526) was the third Rao of Bikaner, ruling from 1505 to 1526. He spent much of his two-decade long reign consolidating and expanding the territories of his relatively new kingdom. Background Lunkaran was ...

*1526 – 1542 Rao Jait Singh *1542 – 1571 Rao Kalyan Mal (acknowledged the suzerainty of Emperor Akbar) *1571 – 1612 Rao / Raja Rai Singh I (Important General in the Mughal army. Given title of Raja. From 1585 to 1594 he was employed in the Deccan by Emperor Akbar, where he was Subedar of Burhanpur) *1612 – 1613 Raja Dalpat (Sur Singh revolted against his elder brother Dalpat and killed him along with his guards with the consent of Emperor Jahangir) *1613 – 1631 Raja Sur Singh *1631 – 1667 Raja Karan Singh(deposed by Aurangzeb and exiled to Karanapura in the Deccan) *1667 – 1669 Interregnum

Maharaja's

*1669 – 1698 Maharaja Anup Singh (First to be granted title of Maharaja by Emperor Aurangzeb) *19 Jun 1698 – 15 December 1700: Maharaja Sarup Singh (b. 1689 – d. 1700) *15 Dec 1700 – 16 December 1735: Maharaja Sujan Singh (b. 1690 – d. 1735) *16 Dec 1735 – 15 May 1746: Maharaja Zorawar Singh (b. 1713 – d. 1746) *15 May 1746 – 25 March 1787: Maharaja Gaj Singh (b. 1723 – d. 1787) *25 Mar 1787 – 25 April 1787: Maharaja Raj Singh II (b. 1744 – d. 1787) *25 Apr 1787 – 9 October 1787: Maharaja Pratap Singh (b. 1781 – d. 1787) *25 Apr 1787 – 25 March 1828: Maharaja

Surat Singh Raja Surat Singh (1810–1881) was a Punjabi Jagirdar, a military officer in the Khalsa Army, and a member of the renowned Majithia family. Biography He was born in Majitha to Sardar Attar Singh of the Sher-Gill Jat clan. With his father, he ...

(Regent to 9 October 1787) (b. 1766 – d. 1828) *25 Mar 1828 – 7 August 1851: Maharaja Ratan Singh (b. 1790 – d. 1851) * 7 August 1851 – 16 May 1872: Maharaja Sardar Sungh (b. 1818 – d. 1872) *16 May 1872 – 19 August 1887: Maharaja Dungar Singh (b. 1854 – d. 1887) *19 Aug 1887 – 2 February 1943: Maharaja Ganga Singh (b. 1880 – d. 1943) (from 24 July 1901, Sir Ganga Singh) *19 Aug 1887 – 16 December 1898: the British Political Agents-

Regent A regent (from Latin : ruling, governing) is a person appointed to govern a state '' pro tempore'' (Latin: 'for the time being') because the monarch is a minor, absent, incapacitated or unable to discharge the powers and duties of the monarchy ...

* 2 February 1943 – 15 August 1950: Maharaja Sadul Singh (b. 1902 – d. 1950) (from 1 January 1946, Sir Sadul Singh)

Titular Rulers

*1950 – 1971 Maharaja Karni Singh ( Privy purses were withdrawn in 1971 and post & titles were also withdrawn) *1988-present Maharajah Narendra Singh Bahadur

Dewans

The Dewans and Chief Ministers of the state were: * 1460–1465 Bothra Bachhraj (Mantri-Dewan / Jodhpur) / Rao Jodha * 1465–1505 Bothra Bachhraj (Founding Dewan / Bikaner) / Rao Bika * 1504–1526 Karam Singh Bothra Bachhawat (Descendants of Bachhraj were known as Bachhawats) / Rao Nar Singh and Rao Lunkaran * 1526–1535 Var Singh Bothra Bachhawat / Rao Jait Singh * 1535–1542 Nagraj Bothra Bachhawat / Rao Jait Singh and Rao Kalyan Mal * 1542–1571 Sangram Singh Bothra Bachhawat / Rao Kalyan Mal * 1571–1591 Mehta Karam Chand bothra Bachhawat (Title of Mehta granted by Emperor Akbar) / Rao Kalyan Mal and Raja Rai Singh * 1619–1620 Mehta Bhag Chand Bothra Bachhawat / Raja Sur Singh * 1619–1620 Mehta Lakshmi Chand Bothra Bachhawat / Raja Sur Singh *17.. – 26 February 1733: Anand Ram Khawas (d. 1733) *1735 – Feb 1751: Mohata Bakhtawar Singh (1st time) (b. 1707 – d. 1779) *Feb 1751 – 1752: Amar Singh Chaturbhujani *1752 – 1756: Mohata Bakhtawar Singh (2nd time) (s.a.) *1756 – Dec 1757: Mohata Prithvi Singh *1757 – 1762: Mohata Bakhtawar Singh (3rd time) (s.a.) *1762 – Sep 1765: Shah Mool Chand Bardiya *Sep 1765 – 1779: Mohata Bakhtawar Singh (4th time) (s.a.) *1779 – 178.: Mohata Swaroop Singh *178. – 1787: Mohata Thakursi *1787 – 1791: Mohata Madho Rai *1791 – 1794: Pratap Mal Baid *1794 – 1805: Mohata Rao Sahib Singh Gun Roop *Apr 1805 – Apr 1815: Amar Chand Surana *Apr 1815 – Feb 1816: Mohata Bhom ji *Feb 1816 – 1828: Abhai Singh Mohta *1828 – 184.: Hindu Mal Baid *c. 1841: Sri Narayan Singh Bhati *1844 – 1852?: Sarana Shri Lakshmichand *1852 – 1853: Guman Singh Baid (1st time) *1853 – 1853: Leeladhar Mohata + Jalam Chand Kochar *1853 – 1854: Lachhi Ram Rakhecha *1854 – 1856: Guman Singh Baid (2nd time) *1856: Pandit Dojainant *1856 – 1863: Ram Lal Dwarkani (1st time) *1864 – 1865: Guman Singh Baid (3rd time) *1865 – 1866: Ram Lal Dwarkani (2nd time) *1866: Man Mal Rakhecha *1866 (3 months): Sheo Lal Nahata *1867 (15 days): Fateh Chand Surana *1867: Ganga Ram Purohit *1867: Shah Mal Kochar *1868: Man Mal Rakhecha *1868: Sheo Lal Mohata *1868: Lakshmi Chand Nahata *Jun 1868 – Aug 1869: Visayat Hussain *Aug 1869 – 13 December 1873: Pandit Manphool *Dec 1873 – 188.: Maharaj Lal Singh *188. – 1884?: Maharao Hari Singh Baid *1884 – 11 October 1888: Amin Muhammad *12 Dec 1888 – 1896: Sodhi Hukam Singh *1896 – 1898: Raghubar Singh Chauhan *1898 – 1903: Hamidu Zafar Khan *1903 – 1916: Post abolished

Chief ministers

* 1916 – 19..: Shri Bhairon Singh * 7 September 1920 – Jan 1925: Prince Kunwar Sardul Singh (s.a.)

Dewans

The post of Dewan was reinstated in 1927. * 1927 – 1934: Manubhai Nandshankar Mehta (b. 1868 – d. 1946) * 3 October 1932 – 31 October 1934: Ram Prasad Dube (acting) * 1 November 1934 – Jan 1936: Maharaj Shri Bhairun Singh * Jan 1936 – Dec 1936: Thakur Sadul Singh * Dec 1936 – 1938?: V.N. Mehta * Dec 1938 – Jul 1939: Kailash Narain Haksar (b. 1878 – d. 1954) * Jul 1939 – 1944?: Sire Mal Bapna (b. 1882 – d. 1964) * 1944 – 13 March 1948: Kavalam Madhava Panikkar (b. 1895 – d. 1963) * 14 March 1948 – Oct 1948: Kanwar Jaswant Singh * Oct 1948 – 30 March 1949: C. S. Venkatachar (b. 1899 – d. 1999)

Family tree of the rulers of Bikaner

I. Rao Bikaji, of Bikaner (1438–1504; Rai: 1488; r. 1465–1504) ** Simple gold crown

II.Rao Naroji, of Bikaner (1468–1505; r. 1504–1505) ** Simple gold crown

III.Rao Lunkaraji, of Bikaner (1470–1526; r. 1505–1526) *** Simple gold crown

IV. Rao Jetaji, of Bikaner (1489–1542; r. 1526–1542) **** Simple silver crown

V.Rao Kalyan Mal, of Bikaner (1519–1574; r. 1542–1574) ***** Simple silver crown

VI. Rai Singh I, Raja of Bikaner (1541–1612; r. 1574–1612) ****** Simple silver crown

VII. Dalpat Singh, Rai of Bikaner (1565–1613; r. 1612–1613) ****** Simple silver crown

VIII. Sur Singh, Raja of Bikaner (1594–1631; r. 1613–1631) ******* Simple silver crown

IX. Karan Singh, Raja of Bikaner (1616–1669; r. 1631–1667) ******** Simple silver crown

X. Anup Singh, Maharaja of Bikaner (1638–1698; r. 1667–1698; Rao: 1667; Maharaja: 1675) ********* Simple silver crown

XI. Sarup Singh, Maharaja of Bikaner (1689–1700; r. 1698–1700) ********* Simple silver crown

XII. Sujjan Singh, Maharaja of Bikaner (1690–1735; r. 1700–1735) ********** Simple silver crown

XIII. Zorawar Singh, Maharaja of Bikaner (1713–1746; r. 1735–1746) ********* Anand Singh ********** Simple silver crown

XIV. Gaj Singh, Maharaja of Bikaner (1723–1787; r. 1746–1787) *********** Simple silver crown

XV. Raj Singh II, Maharaja of Bikaner (1744–1787; r. 1787) ************ Simple silver crown

XVI. Pratap Singh, Maharaja of Bikaner (1781–1787; r. 1787) *********** Simple silver crown

XVII. Surat Singh, Maharaja of Bikaner (1765–1828; r. 1787–1828) ************ Simple silver crown

XVIII. Ratan Singh, Maharaja of Bikaner (1790–1851; r. 1828–1851) ************* Simple silver crown

XIX. Sardar Singh, Maharaja of Bikaner (1818–1872; r. 1851–1872) ***********Chhatar Singh (1762–1779) ************ Dalel Singh ************* Sagat Singh ************** Lall Singh (1831–1887) *************** Simple silver crown

XX. Dungar Singh, Maharaja of Bikaner (1854–1887; r. 1872–1887) *************** Simple silver crown

XXI. Ganga Singh, Maharaja of Bikaner

GCSI The Most Exalted Order of the Star of India is an order of chivalry founded by Queen Victoria in 1861. The Order includes members of three classes: # Knight Grand Commander (:Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Star of India, GCSI) # ...

GCIE The Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire is an order of chivalry founded by Queen Victoria on 1 January 1878. The Order includes members of three classes: #Knight Grand Commander ( GCIE) #Knight Commander ( KCIE) #Companion ( CIE) No app ...

GCVO The Royal Victorian Order (french: Ordre royal de Victoria) is a dynastic order of knighthood established in 1896 by Queen Victoria. It recognises distinguished personal service to the British monarch, Canadian monarch, Australian monarch, or ...

, GBE, KCB (1880–1943; r. 1887–1943) **************** Simple silver crown

XXII. Sadul Singh, Maharaja of Bikaner

, CVO (1902–1950; r. 1943–1949; titular ruler: 1949–1950) *****************XXIII. Karni Singh, Maharaja of Bikaner (1924–1988; titular Maharaja: 1950–1971; family head: 1971–1988) ****************** XXIV. Narendra Singh, Maharaja of Bikaner (1946–2003; family head: 1988–2003) ***************** Amar Singh (1925-2007) ****************** Chandra Shekhar Singh (b. 1948) ******************* XXV. Ravi Raj Singh, Maharaja of Bikaner (1977-2022; family head: 2003–2022)

References

External links

* * * * * {{Coord, 28.01, N, 73.3, E, region:IN_type:landmark_source:kolossus-svwiki, display=title States and territories disestablished in 1947 Princely states of India History of Bikaner History of Rajasthan Rajputs Rajputana Agency 1465 establishments in Asia 15th-century establishments in India 1947 disestablishments in India Historical Hindu empires Rajput princely states

History

Rulers

Rao/Raja's

Maharaja's

Titular Rulers

Dewans

Chief ministers

Dewans

Family tree of the rulers of Bikaner

See also

References

External links