Rajasthan

Appearance

History of Bikaner ​

(Ancient Names: Janglu Desh, Ratighati)

  • The Rathore dynasty ruled Bikaner.

Rulers of Bikaner ​

  1. Rao Bika (1465-1504 AD) (Son of Rao Jodha)

    • Conquered Bikaner with the help of his uncle Kandhal, cousin Bida, and the blessings of Karni Mata.
    • Karni Mata is the patron deity of the Rathores of Bikaner.
    • Built the Bhairuji Temple at Kodamdesar (Bikaner).
    • Founded Bikaner in 1488 AD. "Pagdi se paitalis, sud vaishakh sumer, Thawar beej kharpiyo, Biko Bikaner"
    • The foundation day of Bikaner is celebrated on Akshaya Tritiya, and kites are flown in Bikaner on this day.
    • During his reign, Bika attacked Jodhpur and won Ranjit.
    • Established the Naganechi Mata temple (18-handed).
    • Architecture:
      1. Bhairav Temple (Kodamdesar)
      2. Naganechi Mata Temple (Bikaner)

  2. Rao Lunkaran (1505-1526 AD)

    • Became king with the blessings of Lakhpat Jasnath Ji.
    • Built the Lunkaransar Lake.
    • Bida Suja called him 'Kaliyuga ka Karna.'
    • Nagaur: Defeated Muhammad Khan.
    • Jaisalmer: Rao Jaitasi.
    • Battle of Dhosi (Haryana) (1526 AD):
      • Lunkaran vs. Aadomira (Narnaul)
        • Death

  3. Jaitasi:

    • Battle of Ratighati (1534 AD):
      • Jaitasi vs. Kamran (Humayun's brother)
        • Winner.
    • Source of Information: Beethu Suja's book: "Rao Jaitasi Ro Chhand."
    • Kamran had first captured Bhatner (Hanumangarh).
    • Died in the Battle of Pahiba (1541 AD) against Maldev (Marwar).

  4. Kalyanmal (1574-1612 AD)

    • First king of Bikaner to accept the subordination of the Mughals.
    • Court Scholar: Raghav Bhatt - Raja Vinod.
    • Participated in the Battle of Khanwa in 1527 AD.
    • Was with Sher Shah Suri in the Battle of Giri Sumel.

  5. Rai Singh (1574-1612 AD)

    • Mansabdar of Akbar and Jahangir.
    • Akbar made him a Mansabdar of 4000, and Jahangir made him a Mansabdar of 5000.
    • Akbar gave him 51 parganas in 1577 AD.
    • During the revolt of Khusrau, Jahangir entrusted him with the responsibility of the capital, Agra.
    • Built the Junagarh Fort (1589-94 AD) under the supervision of Karamchand. At that time, Rai Singh was in Burhanpur (M.P.).
    • Books: Rai Singh Mahotsav, Vaidyak Vanshavali, Jyotish Ratnavali (a commentary on astrological acts), Bal Bodhini.
    • Defeated Ibrahim Mirza and killed Hussain Mirza in the Battle of Kaboli.
    • Got Surtan of Sirohi and Taj Khan of Jalore to accept Akbar’s subordination.
    • Court Scholars:
      1. Jaita: Rai Singh Prashasti
        • This prashasti is installed in Junagadh (Bikaner) fort.
      2. Jaisom: Karamchandvanshotkirtanakam
        • In this book, Rai Singh has been called Rajendra, and Lunakaran has been compared to Karna.

  6. Prithviraj Rathore:

    • He was the younger brother of Rai Singh. He used to live in Akbar's court.
    • Books:
    • Veli Kishan Rukmani Ri, Dashrath Baravat, Ganga Lahari, Dasam Bhagwat Ra Duha.

  7. Dalpat Singh:

    • He was the son of Rai Singh, he revolted against Rai Singh.

  8. Karan Singh (1631-69 AD):

    • Title: "Jangaldhar Badshah"
    • This title is given in the Rajasthani translation of Chintamani Bhatt's book "Shrut Smriti".
    • Book: Sahitya Kalpadrum.
    • Court Scholars:
      1. Gangadhar Maithil: Karna Bhushan, Kavya Dakini.
      2. Hesik Bhatt: Karna Vilas

  9. Anup Singh (1669-98 AD):

    • Aurangzeb gave him the title of "Mahi Maratib" because of his victories in South India.
    • Brought idols of Hindu gods and goddesses from South India and placed them in the temple of 33 crore deities in Bikaner.
    • There is also an idol of "Heramb Ganapati" here (Ganesha riding on a lion).
    • Brought Sanskrit books from South India and established the "Saraswati Bhandar Library" in Bikaner (Anup Sanskrit Library).
    • Collected Kuma’s music texts.
    • Translated Sanskrit books into Rajasthani language:
      • (i) Shuk Sarika
      • (ii) Vetal Pachisi
     *  (iii) Tavita - Its translation was done by ‘Anand Rao’.
    • Books:
      • Anup Vivek (based on Tantra Shastra)
      • Kamprabod (based on Kamashastra)
      • Shraddha Prayog Chintamani
      • Anupodaya (a commentary on Geet Govind)
    • Court Scholars:
      1. Bhav Bhatt: Sangeet Anup Ankush, Anup Sangeet Vilas, Anup Sangeet Ratnakar.
      2. Anand Bhatt: Tirtha Ratnakar.
      3. Udayachandra: Panditya Darpan.
    • The reign of Anup Singh was the golden age of painting in Bikaner.
    • Anup Singh built the 'Saal' of 33 crore gods and goddesses in the temple.

  10. Surat Singh (1787-1828 AD):

    • Captured Bhatner in 1805 AD. That day was Tuesday, so Bhatner was renamed Hanumangarh.
    • Attacked Churu in 1814 AD. At this time, 'silver bullets' were fired from the fort of Churu.
    • At this time, Swamiji Singh was the chieftain of Churu.
    • Lord Dames attacked Bikaner twice.
    • Made a treaty with the British in 1818 AD.
    • Built Karni Mata Temple in Deshnok (Bikaner).
    • Supported Jagat Singh II of Jaipur in the battle of Bhingoli.

  11. Ratan Singh (1828-51 AD):

    • Battle of Hasampore (Jaisalmer) - 1834 AD: * Ratan Singh vs. Gaj Singh (Jaisalmer) * Winner.
      • It was the "last war between two princely states of forts in Rajasthan".
    • Built the Ratan Bihari Temple (Shri Krishna) of Bikaner.
    • Banned female infanticide in Gaya (Bihar) in 1837 AD.
    • Court Scholar:
      1. Dayaldas: Bikaner Ra Rathora Ri Khyat
        • This book contains information from Rao Bika to Sardar Singh (Ratan Singh's son).
        • It is the last khyat of Rajasthan.

  12. Maharaja Ganga Singh (1887-1943 AD):

    • Successfully managed the Chhappania Famine in 1899 AD, hence the British gave him the title of "Kaiser-i-Hind".
    • Suppressed the Boxer Rebellion in China in 1914 AD, hence the British gave him the "China War Medal."
    • Established the 'Praja Pratinidhi Sabha' in 1913 AD.
    • In 1916 AD, he provided the maximum financial assistance to Mahamana Madan Mohan Malviya for the establishment of BHU (Banaras Hindu University).
    • Hence, Gangasingh was made the Vice-Chancellor of BHU.
    • His camel army was called ‘Ganga Risala’. This army participated in both World Wars.
    • Participated in the Paris Peace Conference in 1919 AD (32 members participated in the conference).
    • While returning from the Paris Peace Conference, he sent the Rome Note to the British and demanded self-governance for India.
    • In 1921 AD, Chemsford established the 'Chambers of Princes' and made Ganga Singh its chancellor.
    • Built the Gang Canal in 1927 AD, hence Ganga Singh is also called the 'Bhagirath of Rajasthan.'
    • Chief engineer of the Gang Canal: Kanwar Sen.
      • (The first canal of Rajasthan).
    • Governor-General Lord Irwin inaugurated the canal at a place called Shivpuri Head (Ganganagar).
    • Ganga Singh participated in all three Round Table Conferences (1930, 1931, 1932).
    • Built the present form of these three temples:
      • Ramdevra
      • Deshnok
      • Ganganedi
    • Had 'Victoria Express' written on Bikaner's coins.
    • Note: Maharaja Swaroop Singh had 'Dosti London' written on the coins of Mewar.
    • Built the Lalgarh Palace in Bikaner.