This Royal walled city is a part of the desert tourist triangle and lies on the northern tip of the triangle. The city was founded in 1486 AD by the Rathore prince, Rao Bikaji, hence the name Bikaner. Bikaji was son of Rao Jodhaji who had asked his son to establish a kingdom of his own. The challenge was accepted and Bikaji choose the wild country 'Jangaldesh' as his territory and thus the city of Bikaner came into existence.

Devi Kund Bikaner, Bikaner, Rajasthan A seven-kilometres wall with five entrances was built to protect the city from vagaries of the desert and any external aggression. The city flourished as an important trade centre between Gujarat seaports and West Asian countries. The unbroken line of descendants of Bikaji ruled Bikaner till India got Independence. Bikaner is known for good breed of riding camels, which are among the best in the world. The Camel Festival held every year is famous all over the globe. Bikaner has many magnificent buildings made of Reddish Pink sandstone that transcends the surrounding barren wilderness. Unlike other cities of Rajasthan, Bikaner has been able to preserve its traditional aura of the medieval era, which makes a visitor come here year after year.The Bhujia City Bikaner, is famous for its Old Havelis. Bikaner was founded in 1486 by Bika, one of the fourteen sons of Rao Jodha. Bikaner - lying in the north of the desert state, bikaner is dotted with many sand dunes. More popularly called the camel country , Bikaner is renowned for the best riding camels in the world. The exotic camel safaris, its gorgeous forts and the worship of thousands of holy rats at Karni Mata temple are some of the most interesting aspects of Bikaner. The camel festival at Bikaner held in the month of January is also an event worth witnessing if one wants to get the actual color of the place.

BIKANER THE CITADEL OF CULTURE AND ROYALTY

Originally a cluster of 22 princely states, this most stately of Indian states lives up to the romance and history implicit in its grandiose names. RAJASTHAN has been a land of royal patronage too. From far plunge countries around the globe, linked to the Middle East and Europe by land its cultures intermingled as blood mixed with blood – first in war, then in peace. But set admits the rich panoply of regal splendor, deep in the desert, is the glittering jewel that is BIKANER founded in 1488A.D. by RAO BIKAJI, the second oldest son of RAO JODHAJI . it stands like a gem on the eternity.

While scrolling this page you will get aquatinted with the glorious HISTORY OF BIKANER and also know about THE ROYAL FAMILY.

History of Bikaner

THE PRINCELY STATE OF BIKANER AND ITS CAPITAL CITY BIKANER WAS FOUNDED BY RAO BIKA” (1465-1504 AD) by the blessing 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 as ambitious military adventure, with a small contingent of Rathore warriors (500 soldier and 100 cavalrymen). His brave uncle, Rawat Kandhal, who always stood by him as his guardian and politico-strategic adviser, supported him. Those were the days when different clans of Jats & Rajputs inhabited this land and their chiefs enjoyed fairly good amount of autonomy, of course owing their allegiance to the sultanate of Delhi. Bika subdued all the contemporary chiefs and the Indian union after the British left this country in 1947 AD.

In the beginning the neighboring Bhati chiefs were suspicious of the new growing power in their vicinity. Karni Mata brought the rivalry between the Rathore & Bhatis to an end by inspiring Rao Shekha- the powerful Bhati chief of Pugal, to give the hand of his daughter in marriage to Rao Bika. This consolidated the power of Rathore in this region and proved to be a mile stone in the history of the state.

Rao Bika laid foundation of the city of Bikaner in 1488 AD and first constructed a small fortress in RATI GHATI area. Today this site is situated at the southwest 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) between 1589 to 1593 AD. The rule of Bikaner had a prominent and glorious role in history of India. They 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 posted all over the Indian sub-continent. Raja Rai Singhji is the sixth ruler of Bikaner was among the first Rajput Chiefs to join the Mughal alliance. The Mughal power in India declined with the death of Emperor Aurangzeb in 1707 AD, the bonds of Mughals-Rajput relationship slowly dissolved. The new era of Rajput-British relationship with the advent of “British East India Company” ushered in. this European contact later played a vital role in the history of Bikaner as the ideas of industrial west started floating in. the reign of Maharaja Sri Ganga Singhji is marked for great Socio-Political and economic development in every sphere of life viz. – Education, Health, Sanitation, Water Supply, Power Generation & Electricity, Irrigation, Post & Telegraph. Roads & Railways, Trade & Commerce and so on- there is no subject untouched by this foresighted Maharaja. When the British left this country, this state was ruled by Maharaja Sadul Singhji. 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 and become an example for other princes. In the independent India, Maharaja Dr. Karni Singhji enjoyed a prestigious position for his skill as a sportsman of Olympian order and also had an important for representing the constituency of Bikaner in the parliament (Lok Shabha) continuously for five terms (25 Years).

Apart from the royal family this beautiful city has its own glory that makes it only of its type. This gorgeous city known not only for its fairs and festivals, picnics and outings, temples and havelies, kite flying and its proud and fearless people but also for their ornaments, colorful costumes quaint customs, sheep’s wool, camel races, awesome sunset and SAWAN – BIKANERI - that glorious time of year when the desert city blooms in beauty.