Lying in the north of the desert state,
the city is dotted with scores of sand dunes. Bikaner retains the medieval grandeur
that permeates the city's lifestyle. More readily called the camel country,
the city is distinguished for the best riding camels in the world and hence
boasts of having one of the largest Camel research and breeading farm in the
world. The ship of the desert is an inseparable part of life here. A camel besides
doing transportation duties, also works on wells.
These are built on high plinths with slender minarets on each of the four corners
and can be noticed even from a distance. The history of Bikaner dates back to
1488 when a Rathore prince, Rao Bikaji founded his kingdom. Bikaji was one the
five sons of Rao Jodhaji the illustrious founder of Jodhpur. But Rao Bikaji
was the most adventurous of them. It is said that an insensitive remark from
his father about his whispering in the Durbar provoked Bikaji to set up his
own kingdom towards the north of Jodhpur.
The barren wilderness called Jangladesh became his focus point and he transformed
it to an impressive city. He accomplished his task with 100 cavalry horses and
500 soldiers, and established his kingdom on 84 villages abandoned by the 'Shankhlas'.
When Bikaji died in 1504 his rule had extended to over 3000 villages.
Modern Bikaner is the result of the foresight of its most eminent ruler Maharaja
Ganga Singh (1887 1943) whose reformative zeal set the pace for Bikaner transformation
from a principality to a premier princely state. The strategic location of Bikaner
on the ancient caravan routes that came from West/Central Asia made it a prime
trade centre in those times.
Bikaner stands on a slightly raised ground and is circumscribed by a seven km
long embattled wall with five gates. The magnificent forts and palaces, created
with delicacy in reddish-pink sandstone, bear testimony to its rich historical
and architectural legacy. Surging lanes, colourful bazaars with bright and cheerful
folks make Bikaner an interesting experience to explore.
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