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History of Bikaner
Bikaner is a combination of Bika+Ner,It is called so because it is founded by Rajaput ruler Rao Bikaji in 1486.Rao Bika was the first son of Maharaja Rao Jodha of the Rathor clan, the founder of Jodhpur and conquered the largely arid country in the north of Rajasthan. As the second son of Joda he had no chance of inheriting Jodhpur from his father or the title of Maharaja. He therefore decided to build his own kingdom in what is now the state of Bikaner in the area of Jungladesh. Though it was in the Thar Desert, Bikaner was considered an oasis on the trade route between Central Asia and the Gujarat coast as it had adequate spring water. Bika’s name was attached to the city he built and to the state of Bikaner (“the settlement of Bika”) that he established. Bika built a fort in 1478, which is now in ruins, and a hundred years later a new fort was built about 1.5 km from the city centre, known as the Junagarh Fort.Around a century after Rao Bika founded Bikaner, the state's fortunes flourished under the sixth Raja, Rai Singhji, who ruled from 1571 to 1611. During the Mughal Empire’s rule in the country, Rai Singh accepted the suzerainty of the Mughals and held a high rank as an army general at the court of the Emperor Akbar and his son the Emperor Jahangir. Rai Singh's successful military exploits, which involved winning half of Mewar kingdom for the Empire, won him accolades and rewards from the Mughal emperors. He was given the jagirs (lands) of Gujarat and Burhanpur. With the large revenue earned from these jagirs, he built the Junagarh fort on a plain which has an average elevation of 760 feet (230 m). He was an expert in arts and architecture, and the knowledge he acquired during his visits abroad is amply reflected in the numerous monuments he built at the Junagarh fort.
Karan Singh, who ruled from 1631 to 1639, under the suzerainty of the Mughals, built the Karan Mahal palace. Later rulers added more floors and decorations to this Mahal. Anup Singh, who ruled from 1669 to 1698, made substantial additions to the fort complex, with new palaces and the Zenana quarter, a royal dwelling for women and children. He refurbished the Karan Mahal with a Diwan-i-Am (public audience hall) and called it the Anup Mahal. Gaj Singh, who ruled from 1746 to 1787 refurbished the Chandra Mahal (the Moon palace).
During the 18th century, there was internecine war between the rulers of Bikaner and Jodhpur and also amongst other thakurs, which was put down by British troops.
Following Gaj Singh, Surat Singh ruled from 1787 to 1828 and lavishly decorated the audience hall (see illustration) with glass and lively paintwork. Under a treaty of paramountcy signed in 1818, during Surat Singh's reign, Bikaner came under the suzerainty of the British, after which the Maharajas of Bikaner invested heavily in refurbishing Junagarh fort. Dungar Singh, who reigned from 1872 to 1887, built the Badal Mahal, the 'weather palace', so named in view of a painting of clouds and falling rain, a rare event in arid Bikaner.
General Maharaja Ganga Singh, who ruled from 1887 to 1943, was the best-known of the Rajasthan princes and was a favourite of the British Viceroys of India. He was appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of the Star of India, served as a member of the Imperial War Cabinet, represented India at the Imperial Conferences during the First World War and the British Empire at the Versailles Peace Conference. His contribution to the building activity in Junagarh involved separate halls for public and private audiences in the Ganga Mahal and a durbar hall for formal functions. He also built the Ganga Niwas Palace, which has towers at the entrance patio. This palace was designed by Sir Samuel Swinton Jacob, the third of the new palaces built in Bikaner. He named the building Lalgarh Palace in honour of his father and moved his main residence there from Junagarh Fort in 1902. The hall where he held his Golden Jubilee (in 1938) as Bikaner's ruler is now a museum.
Ganga Singh's son, Lieutenant-General Sir Sadul Singh, the Yuvaraja of Bikaner, succeeded his father as Maharaja in 1943, but acceded his state to the Union of India in 1949. Maharaja Sadul Singh died in 1950, being succeeded in the title by his son, Karni Singh (1924-1988).The Royal Family still lives in a suite in Lalgarh Palace, which they have converted into a heritage hotel.
Fair & Festivals Of Bikaner
International Camel Festival, Ladera Dunes, 25 km away from Bikaner City. Karni Mata fair, Deshnoke, Bikaner GangaurKapil Muni fair -
Kapil Muni Fair is also known as Kolayat Mela.Punarasar Fair :
This fair is held at punarasar village of Bikaner. The village is named after lord Hanuman who is considered the god of power, knowledge, health and wealth. Hindus of Bikaner and its adjoining cities head towards this holy village twice (Sarad purnima & Bhaadava) in a year and celebrate this pious occasion with lot of offerings to Punarasar baba. Devotees who approach this holy occasion (following the path between hamlets) are served with food and refreshment by the gathering of another devotees. This fair is considered must visit among local public of Bikaner hence a very long queue (more than 5 km) of devotees is witnessed at this occasion before the temple. Punarasar temple is situated closer to highway leads to Jaipur that's why this highway is known as Punarasar highway too!Kodamdesar Mela :-
Kodamdesar mela is celebrated in the village of Kodamdesar 20 km far from bikaner where the temple of lord bhairoon is situated. This temple have no roof for covering the statue of bhairoon nath. Chura and Surdashani purohit are the casts who have utmost faith upon kodamdesar bahiroon.Kolayat Mela :
Kolayat Mela is celebrated in the month of November every year. Kolayat is situated around 50 km away from Bikaner-Jaisalmer Highway.Siyana Bhairoon mela :
This fair is known for the utmost celebration by Hindu casts Bishnoi, Ojha, Bhadani, chhangani and derasri. Devotees from this community along with others reach siyana village of bikaner by cart, buses, car, bike and on feet. Siyana village is known for the temple of lord bhiroon who is believed to bless all amenities to his devotees they prayed for.Camel festival:
each January the state government organises a camel festival with camel races, various cultural events and a fire dance performed by the Sidh people.Aksaye Tritya or "AKKHA TEEJ":
the foundation day of Bikaner. This was the day when Rao Bika laid the foundation of the new empire. Every year on this day people from across the social spectrum enjoy themselves by flying kites or "CHANDA". They also enjoy a special meal, such as "Khichra and Imlani".Paryushan:
The biggest festival of Jain community is celebrated with utmost fervour and dedication in the city in the Bhadrapad month of Hindu calendar. The temples are lavishly decorated. Spiritual ceremonies and fasting are seen everywhere in the city.Kartik Poornima:
The Jain community takes out a huge procession on this day consisting of paintings, palki of tirthankar and musical bands. It traverses all the areas inhabited by Jains. Local bhajan mandalis or Spiritual Bands perform with great excitement on this occasion. This festivity is unparalleled in India.Rammat :
Rammat is a marwadi word which stands for "PLAY". Rammat is performed in adjoining days of Holi at Bhattron ka chowk, Barah Guwar, Bisso ka chowk etc. local actors portray the role of ancient legends like Dhola Marwaani, Amar singh Rathod . Rammat starts in midnight and get finished in the dawn with the pray of goddess. Locate take delight to participate in the chorus and spread different color over the crowd present there. Rammat of Harsh & Vyas attract huge crowd owing to its distinctive nature of water play. Both community members of harsh & Vyas get themselves loaded their area with water tank and they hit each other with water with help of leather jug. The one who loose water early face the defeat ! However it is a fixed game since inception of this game vyas are declared the winner that too cordially, then also huge crowd turn up at the site and cheer their favorite team with full of passion .Pata :
Pata is a wooden made giant sized square shaped couch on which people sit and chat. Pata was formed with intention to bring people together and discuss different issues on the daily basis. Nowadays Patas have become spot of pure entertainment and gossipTourist Spots Of Bikaner
Junagarh Fort
The Junagarh fort is located in the Heart of Bikaner.The erstwhile Princely state of Bikaner and its capital city Bikaner was founded by Rao Bika (1465-1504 AD.) by the blessings of Goddess Karni Mata in the year 1488 AD. In those days this vast tract of desert country was called “Jangaldesh”. Prince Bika of the Rathore clan of Rajputs was the valiant son of Rao Jodha- the founder of Jodhpur. Encouraged and provoked by his father, Prince Bika moved out of Marwar (Jodhpur) on an ambitious military adventure, with a small contingent of Rathore warriors (500 soldier and 100 cavalry men). He was supported by his brave uncle, Rawat Kandhal, who always stood by him as his guardian and politico-strategic advisor. Those were the days when this land was inhabited by different clans of Jats and Rajputs and their Chiefs enjoyed fairly good amount of autonomy, of course some of them owing their allegiance to the Sultanate of Delhi. Rao Bika subdued all the contemporary Chiefs and was recognized as the ruler of the land. He laid the foundations of a State that existed till it acceded and merged into the Indian Union in 1947 and 1949.
Rao Bika laid the foundation of the city of Bikaner in 1488 AD, having first constructed a small fortress in the Rati Ghati area. Today this site is situated at the south west end of the old walled city near Laxminath Ji temple. The royal family of Bikaner lived there, till Raja Rai Singh Ji built a new fort called Chintamani (now Junagarh) during 1589 to 1593 AD. The rulers of Bikaner had played a prominent and glorious role in the history of India. They held high ranks as Mansabdars of special order or Governors in the court of the Imperial Mughals.
Construction of Junagarh Fort
The first dig ceremony for construction of the fort was held on Thursday, Phagun Vadi 19, V.S. 1645 i.e. 30th January, 1589 AD. The foundation was laid on Monday, Phugan Sudi 12 V.S. 1645 i.e. 17th February, 1589 A.D. and it was completed on Thursday Magh Sudi 6 V.S. 1650 i.e. 17th January 1594 AD. Later on this fort became the most magnificent example of architecture and great centre of art. The present fort is a composite structure, the result of intense building activities of many rulers through four centuries and one of the precious gems of Indian architecture in the midst of Thar Desert.The Junagarh fort is a unique illustration of composite culture. The fort reflects its architecture design; the first of the old one is the Rajput style of the sixteenth century, which was under the impact of the Gujarati and Mughal architectural designs. The rulers of Bikaner were in close association with the Mughal court, as such, they adopted the Mughal decorations, which reflect in the stucco, wall paintings and stone inlay works. The mosaic stone carving and lattice works reflect the Gujarati impact. The works relating to glass, lacquer and wooden ceiling, suggest various activities of the period. The confluence of Rajput, Mughal and the Gujarati architectural designs are clearly visible in Junagarh Fort, as a consequence it is one of the precious gems of Indian architecture. The most important looking and magnificent post medieval building, the Junagarh Fort has the finest lacquer work of rarity, reflecting to glorious past.
The second is the semi-western style of architecture which mostly evolved during the reign of Maharaja Dungar Singh (1872-87). His period marks the disintegration of the old style of architecture.
And third is known as revivalists Rajput architecture which evolved especially during the rule of Maharaja Ganga Singh (1887-1943). This is reflected in the new throne room known as Vikram Vilas built in 1936-37 by Maharaja Ganga Singh. The Maharaja was a great exponent of revivalists Rajput architecture, which is fully reflected in Vikram Vilas. In its grandeur and proportions, the Vikram Vilas is extremely beautiful; and its exquisite craftsmanship and artistic ability are unparalleled.
Palaces inside Junagarh Fort
There are many small palaces inside the Junagarh fort which are well known example of their architecture and design.KARAN MAHAL (Public Audience Hall):
The first monument of Bikaner and second oldest in Rajputana is based on the classic Mughal style, the plans for the construction of which were conceived during the reign of Raja Karan Singhji. It was erected in about 1680 by Maharaja Anup Singhji as a memorial monument of his father Raja Karan Singhji. This monument is also a tribute to the restoration and elevation of the status of Bikaner State.Karan Mahal is covered with rich Rajput elaboration of Mughal style in terms of the purity of white marble and stucco design. The exquisite economic design is so characteristic of classic Art like Diwan-I-Khass, Rang Mahal and Mumtaj Mahal at Delhi. It has similar style of wooden ceiling resting on a broad cornice and a surrounding Gallery behind a row of cusped arches resting on short bellied columns of the type of fashion prevailing during Aurangzeb’s period.
Maharaja Gaj Singhji was a shrewd observer and an erudite scholar, and was quick to fathom helpless Mughal Empire where the residue of the artistic life came to an end. People from Delhi and Lahore and other unemployed artisans came under the patronage of Rajput Kings. Maharaja Gaj Singhji was quick to take quite a few of them into service and it proved to be extremely beneficial.
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