Information

Short History

The State of Bikaner, by the grace of God and under the blessings of the Tutelary Deities of the House of Bikaner, Sri Karniji and Sri Lakshmi Narayanji, was founded by Rao Bikaji, the eldest surviving son of Rao Jodha, founder of Jodhpur, as a separate Kingdom, totally independent of the Kingdom of Jodhpur.

In the 15th century the territory which now forms the state of Bikanir was occupied by Rajput clans, partly Jats, partly Mahommedans. About 1465 Bika, a Rathor Rajput, sixth son of Rao Jodha, chief of Marwar, started out to conquer the country. By taking advantage of the rivalries of the clans he succeeded; in 1485 he built the small fort at the capital which still bears his name, and in 1488 began the building of the city itself. He died in 1504, and his successors gradually extended their possessions. In the reign of Akbar the chiefs of Bikanir were esteemed among the most loyal adherents of the Delhi empire, and in 1570 Akbar married a daughter of Kalyan Singh. Kalyan’s son, Rai Singh, who succeeded him in 1571, was one of Akbar’s most distinguished generals and the first raja of Bikanir; his daughter married Selim, afterwards the emperor Jahangir. Two other distinguished chiefs of the house were Karan Singh (1631–1669), who in the struggle of the sons of Shah Jahan for the throne threw in his lot with Aurangzeb, and his eldest son, Anup Singh (1669–1698), who fought with distinction in the Deccan, was conspicuous in the capture of Golconda, and earned the title of maharaja. From this time forward the history of Bikanir was mainly that of the wars with Jodhpur, which raged intermittently throughout the 18th century. In 1802, during one of these wars, Elphinstone passed through Bikanir on his way to Kabul; and the maharaja, Surat Singh (1788–1828), applied to him for British protection, which was, however, refused. In 1815 Surat Singh’s tyranny led to a general rising of his thakurs, and in 1816 the maharaja again applied for British protection. On the 9th of May 1818 a treaty was concluded, and order was restored in the country by British troops. Ratan Singh, who succeeded his father in 1828, applied in vain in 1830 to the British government for aid against a fresh outbreak of his thakurs; but during the next five years dacoity became so rife on the borders that the government raised a special force to deal with it (the Shakhawati Brigade), and of this for seven years Bikanir contributed part of the cost. Henceforth the relations of the maharajas with the British government were increasingly cordial. In 1842 Ratan Singh supplied camels for the Afghan expedition; in 1844 he reduced the dues on goods passing through his country, and he gave assistance in both Sikh campaigns. His son, Sardar Singh (1851–1872), was rewarded for help given during the Mutiny by an increase of territory. In 1868 a rising of the thakurs against his extortions led to the despatch of a British political officer, by whom affairs were adjusted. Sardar Singh had no son, and on his death in 1872 his widow and principal ministers selected Dungar Singh as his successor, with the approval of the British government. The principal event of his reign was the rebellion of the thakurs in 1883, owing to an attempt to increase the dues payable in lieu of military service; this led to the permanent location at Bikanir of a British political agent. Dungar Singh died in 1887 without a son, but he had adopted his brother, Ganga Singh (b. 1880), who succeeded as 21st chief of Bikanir with the approval of the government. He was educated at the Mayo College at Ajmere, and was invested with full powers in 1898. He attended King Edward’s coronation in 1902, and accompanied the British army in person in the Chinese campaign of 1901 in command of the Bikanir Camel Corps, which also did good service in Somaliland in 1904. The state owes to this ruler the opening up of new railways across the great desert, which was formerly passable only by camels, and the tapping of the valuable coal deposits that occur in the territory. For his conspicuous services he was given the Kaisar-i-Hind medal of the first class, made an honorary major in the Indian army, a G.C.I.E., a K.C.S.I., and A.D.C. to the prince of Wales.

Encyclopædia Britannica, Eleventh Edition, Volume 3

Bikaner State Heirlooms

Rao Bikaji did not lay claim to his father’s kingdom but claimed the heirlooms of the Rathore Dynasty. Many of these venerable objects were brought by Rao Sheoji from Kanauj. The family heirlooms consisted of the following objects:-

• A Sandalwood Throne (Singhasan) of the Emperors of Kanauj, brought by the Rathores from Kanauj some 800 years ago;¹This Singhasan was used by Rulers of Bikaner on special occasions during princely times, in preference to the Golden Throne in the Junagadh Fort.
• The Chhatra, or Royal Umbrella;
• Chanwar;
• Sword of Rao Jodhaji;
• Shield of Rao Jodhaji;
• Katar (dagger) of Harbuji Sankhla;
• Hiranyagarbha Murti of Shri Lakshmi Narayanji;
• Large silver Murti of Nagnechni Devi;
• Karand, a box, which bears an inscription to the effect that it was in the “sewa” (puja) of Rao Doohadji, grandson of Rao Sheoji;
• Dakshinavart shankh (sacred conch);
• Bhanwar Dhol (big drum) of Rao Chandaji;
• Bairisal Nagara (the “Foe-frightening” Kettle-Drum), “the gift of the Saint Thapan Jambha” to the ancestors of Rao Jodhaji;
• Bhunjai Degs (ancient ceremonial cauldrons); and
• The steed “Dal Singar”, — “Ornament of the Army”

Styles & Titles

Sri Raj Rajeshwar Maharajadhiraj Narendra Maharaja Shiromani (personal name) Bahadur , Maharaja of Bikaner, with the style of His Highness.

Predecessors

• Rao BIKAJI, 1^st Rao of Bikaner 1465/1504, born 6^th August 1438, in 1465 he left Jodhpur to conquer a kingdom for himself and came to Desnok, from where he went to Chandasar and subsequently to Kodamdesar where he built a small fort, after three years he moved to Janglu, where he married a daughter of the Bhati Chief; in 1488 he laid the foundation of the present city of Bikaner; he continued to exapnd his territories to the extant that some 3,000 villages belonged to him; married (amongst at least seven Ranis), a daughter of Rao Shaikha Bhati of Poongal, and had issue, ten sons. He died 17^th September 1504.
  • Rao Naroji Singh (qv)
  • Rao Lunkaranji (qv)
  • Rao Gursi, ancestor of the Gursisar and Ursisar families.
  • Rao Umra Singh
  • Rao Raj Singh
• Rao NAROJI SINGH, 2^nd Rao of Bikaner [17.9.1504] – [13.1.1505], born 20^th October 1468, died sp on 13^th January 1505.
• Rao LUNKARANJI, 3^rd Rao of Bikaner [13.1.1505] – [14.7.1526], born 12^th January 1470, soon after his succession, the tribal chiefs rebelled but were defeated; in 1512 he invaded Fatehpur and annexed 120 villages; he was powerful enough to defeat Prince Kamran of Delhi who had marched from Bhatner to Bikaner with a large army; married (amongst others), a daughter of Maharana Raimalji of Mewar, and had issue. He died 31^st March 1526 in the battle of Dhonsi. (Sawan Badi 4^th S. 1583).
  • Rao Jetsiji Singh (qv)
  • Kunwar Ratan Singh, ancestor of the estate holders of Mahajan.
  • Kunwar Pratap Singh, died 31^st March 1526 in the battle of Dhonsi.
  • Kunwar Bairsi Singh, died 31^st March 1526 in the battle of Dhonsi.
  • Rani Apurva Devi [Bala Bai], married Raja Prithvi Singhji I of Amber, and had issue.
  • ?Rani Jatan Kunwarba Sahiba, married Raj Sahib Ranoji Nathoji of Dhrangadhra.
  • Baisa (name unknown) [Rani Rahiba of Jaisalmer], married Rawal Lunkaranji of Jaisalmer.
• Rao JETSIJI SINGH, 4^th Rao of Bikaner 1526/1542, born 31^st October 1489, he subdued the Joias, who had refused to join his father in his expedition against Jaisalmer; Rao Maldevji of Jodhpur, attacked Bikaner with 20,000 troops in a battle at Sahva in which the Rao of Bikaner was killed; married and had issue. He died in battle April 1541 or February 1542 at Sahva (Chait Badi 11^th S. 1598).
  • Rao Kalyan Singh (qv)
  • Rajkumar Bhim Raj, ancestor of the family of Rajpura.
  • Rajkumar Thakursi, ancestor of the family of Jaitpur.
  • Rajkumar Maldeo
  • Rajkumar Kanh Singh
  • Rajkumar Sri Rangji, ancestor of the families of Bhukarka, Sidhmukh, Bae, Jassana, Birkali, Ajitpura, Simla and Raslan.
  • Rajkumar Surjan Singh, ancestor of Surjansar.
  • Rajkumar Karamsen
  • Rajkumar Puranmal
  • Rajkumar Achaldas
  • Rajkumar Man Singh
  • Rajkumar Bhojraj
  • Rajkumar Tilkasi
  • Rajkumar Sheo Singh, ancestor of the Narnot clan.
  • Rajkumar Ashpal Singh
  • Baisa (name unknown), married Rawal Maldevji of Jaisalmer.
• Rao KALYAN SINGH, 5^th Rao of Bikaner 1542/1571, born 6^th January 1519, he sought the help of Shershah Suri of Delhi to provide an army to enable him to reclaim his kingdom, and in 1544, Rao Maldevji of Jodhpur was forced to fall back and Bikaner was restored; later when Akbar came to power he was able to prove his loyalty; married and had issue. He died 25^th April 1571.
  • Raja Raj Singh I (qv)
  • Rajkumar Amar Singh, was granted Hardesar.
  • Rajkumar Sultan Singh
  • Rajkumar Prithvi Singh, married a daughter of Rawal Harrajji of Jaisalmer, ancestor of families in Mahalana, Seowa, Dholiya, Nyangali, Lakhlan, Manpura and Jhungali.
  • Rajkumar Ram Singh
  • Baisa (name unknown) [Rani Sahiba of Jaisalmer], married Rawal Harrajji of Jaisalmer.
• Raja RAJ SINGH I, 6^th Raja of Bikaner 1571/1611, born 22^nd July 1541, he laid the foundation stone of Junagarh Fort in Bikaner in 1589 which took three years to build; he defeated the Raja of Jodhpur at Sojat and Siriyari with the help of a Mughal army; he served the Mughal emperor in campaigns to Gujarat, Bengal and Kabul on diffrent occasions and his mansabdari was raised from 4000 to 5000; he was appointed Subedar of Burhanpur 1585/1592, Governor of Surat in 1596 and Governor of Burhanpur in 1612; married 1595, a daughter of Rawal Harrajji of Jaisalmer (whose sister married Akbar, the Mughal Emperor), and had issue. He died 22^nd January 1612.
  • Raja Dalpat Singh (qv)
  • Raja Sur Singh (qv)
  • Rajkumar Hanwant Singh
  • Rajkumar Kishan Singh, ancestor of the family of Sankhu.
  • Rani Dev Kunwarba Sahiba, married Raj Sahib Raisinhji Mansinhji of Dhrangadhra.
  • Baisa (name unknown), married Shahzada Salim (later Padshah Jahangir of Delhi), and was the mother of Prince Parwiz of Delhi.
  • generation (one of the above?)
    • Baisa (name unknown), married Bhimji Rawal of Jaisalmer.
• Raja DALPAT SINGH, 7^th Raja of Bikaner 1612/1614, born 8^th February 1565, soon after his succession, troops were sent after him by the Mughal Emperor and remainder of his reign was beset with various troubles and a conspiracy hatched by his brother who ingratiated himself with the Mughal Emperor; he was betrayed by his own army and imprisoned in Delhi for a short time but soon after died without returning to Bikaner; married and had issue. He died 10^th February 1614.
• Raja SUR SINGH, 8^th Raja of Bikaner 1614/1631, born 28^th December 1595, he was installed as Raja in the absence of his brother in November 1613; by the end of his reign the Bikaner Raj became greatly reduced in size; he too maintained cordial relations with Delhi and served with distinction in various capacities; married and issue. He died 10^th October 1631.
  • Raja Karan Singh (qv)
  • Rajkumar Shatrusalji
  • Rajkumar Arjun Singh
• Raja KARAN SINGH, 9^th Raja of Bikaner 1631/1669, born 20^th July 1616, proclaimed Jai Jangal Dhar Badshah, married a lady from Rampur, and had issue, four sons. He died 2^nd July 1669 in the Deccan.
  • Maharaja Anup Singh (qv)
  • Rajkumar Padam Singh, married and had issue.
    • Maharani Prem Kunwar, married Maharawat Pratap Singhji of Pratapgarh.
    • Maharani Vijay Kunwar, married Maharawat Prithvi Singhji of Pratapgarh.
    • Rani Panna Kanwar, married (as his first wife), Rao Kesri Singh of Khandela.
  • Rajkumar Kesri Singh, married Rajkumari Karuna De, daughter of Raja Dwarka Das of Khandela.
  • Rajkumar Mohan Singh
• Maharaja ANUP SINGH, 10^th Maharaja of Bikaner 1669/1698, born 21^st March 1638, Maharaja [cr.1687], he collected large number of rare manuscripts in Sanskrit and other languages whilst he was in the Deccan and established a library, known as the Anup Sanskrit Library; married (amongst others) (a), Maharani Lad Kanwar, daughter of Raja Birsingh Deo of Khandela, married (b), Maharani Kalyan Kanwar, daughter of Maharawat Hari Singh, Maharawat of Deolia-Pratapgarh, and his wife, Maharani Anand Kunwar, and had issue. He died 17^th June 1698.
  • Maharaja Sarup Singh (qv)
  • Maharaja Sujan Singh (qv)
  • Maharaj Anand Singh, married and had issue.
    • Rajkumar Amar Singh
    • Maharaja Gaj Singh I (qv)
    • Rajkumar Gudar Singh
    • Rajkumar Tara Singh
• Maharaja SARUP SINGH, 11^th Maharaja of Bikaner 1698/1700, born 2^nd August 1689, died o f smallpox 25^th December 1700.
• Maharaja SUJAN SINGH, 12^th Maharaja of Bikaner 1700/1736, born 7^th August 1690, during his reign he successfully defended Bikaner against attacking forces from Jodhpur and Nagaur; married and issue. He died 27^th December 1735.
  • Maharaja Zorawar Singh (qv)
  • Maharajkumar Abhey Singh
• Maharaja ZORAWAR SINGH, 13^th Maharaja of Bikaner 1736/1745, born 25^th January 1713, the Thakurs of Mahajan, Bhadra and Churu rose in rebellion against the Maharaja, who successfully defeated the rebel nobles; towards the end of his reign cordial relations were established between Bikaner and Jodhpur; married Maharani Udai Kanwar, daughter of Raja Dhiraj Singh of Khandela-Junior. He died 5^th June 1745.
• Maharaja GAJ SINGH I, 14^th Maharaja of Bikaner 1745/1787, born 9^th April 1723, Sri Raj Rajeshwar Maharajadhiraj Maharaja Shiromani [cr.1752], further attacks by Jodhpur forces occurred, but were repulsed; he was granted the privilege of minting his own coin by the Mughal Emperor, Padshah Alamgir; married (amongst others), (a) daughter of Maharawal Akhai Singhji of Jaisalmer, married (b), a Princess of Jhalai, married (c), Maharani Panwariji of Jhadol in village Lavera near Ajmer, married (d), Maharani Akha Kunwar, daughter of Maharao Man Singhji III of Sirohi, and his third wife, Rani Vagehliji Rambha Devi, and had issue, 61 children but only six sons were legitimate. He died 25^th March 1787.
  • Maharaja Raj Singh II (qv)
  • Maharaja Surat Singh (by the Jhalai Princess) (qv)
  • Maharajkumar Chattar Singh, married and had issue.
    • Maharaj Dalel Singh, married and had issue.
      • Maharaj Sakat Singh, married and had issue.
        • Maharaj Shri Lall Singhji Bahadur, married (amongst others), (a) a sister of Thakur Jivraj Singh of Rori, and had issue.
          • HH Maharaja Shri Dungar Singhji (by 1^st wife)(qv)
          • Rajkumar Gulab Singh
          • Maj.-Gen.HH Maharajadhiraj Raj Rajeshwar Narendra Siromani Maharaja Sri Sir Ganga Singhji Bahadur (qv)
      • Maharaj Madan Singh, married and had issue.
        • Maharaj Sri Khet Singhji Sahib, married and had issue.
          • Col. Maharaj Sri Sir Bhairun Singhji Bahadur, born 1879, C.S.I. [cr.1909], K.C.S.I. [cr.1916], educated at Mayo College, Ajmer, Vice President of Council, Bikaner State, Personal ADC to the Maharaja, married and had issue.
            • Maharaj Shri Ajit Singhji of Tejrasar.
      • Maharaj Kharak Singh, married and had issue.
        • Maharaj Makhan Singh, married and had issue.
          • Maharaj Jaswant Singh
          • Maharaj Jawan Singh
          • Maharaj Nahar Singh
        • Maharaj Takhat Singh
      • Maharaj Khuman Singh, married and had issue.
        • Maharaj Nathu Singh
  • Maharajkumar Ajib Singh fl.1801
  • Maharajkumar Sultan Singh fl.1801, married and had issue.
    • Maharaj Guman Singh, married and had issue.
      • Maharaj Paney Singh, married and had issue.
        • Maharaj Hamir Singh, married and had issue.
          • Maharaj Dalpat Singh
        • Maharaj Balwant Singh
        • Maharaj Jay Singh
    • Maharaj Akhay Singh, married and had issue.
      • Maharaj Dule Singh
      • Maharaj Bhim Singh
      • Maharaj Sheonath Singh
  • Maharajkumar Shyam Singh
  • Maharajkumar Davi Singh
  • Maharajkumar Khuska Singh
  • Maharajkumari (name unknown), married the Raja of Narwar.
• Maharaja RAJ SINGH II, 15^th Maharaja of Bikaner [4.4.1787] – [25.4.1787] (for 21 days only), born 23^rd October 1744, married (amongst others), (a) Maharani Chandan Kanwar, daughter of Thakur Nawal Singh Bahadur of Nawalgarh, married (b), a daughter of Maharawal Akhai Singhji of Jaisalmer, and had issue. He died 25^th April 1787.
  • Maharaja Pratap Singh (qv)
  • Maharajkumar Jai Singh, married and had issue.
    • Rajkumari (name unknown), married Rao Raja Lakshman Singh, Rao Raja of Sikar.
• Maharaja PRATAP SINGH, 16^th Maharaja of Bikaner in 1787, born in June 1781, died sp 10^th October 1787.
• Maharaja SURAT SINGH, 17^th Maharaja of Bikaner 1788/1828, born 18^th December 1765, married amongst others, Maharani Panwariji Sardar Kanwarji (Paat Rani), daughter of Thakur Kesri Singh Panwar of Jaitsisar and had issues. He died on 24^th March 1828.
  • Maharaja Ratan Singh (qv)
  • Maharaj Moti Singh (second son), married Rani Dip Kanwar of Udaipur, committed sati in 1825. He died 1825.
  • Maharaj Lakshmi Singh
  • Maharaj Tikam Singh
  • Maharajkumari (name unknown), married 1839, Maharana Sardar Singhji of Udaipur.
• Maharaja Narendra RATAN SINGH, 18^th Maharaja of Bikaner 1828/1851, born 30^th December 1791, he was granted the additional title of Narendra by the Mughal Emperor, married (amongst others) 1806, Maharani Raj Kanwar, died 1852, daughter of Thakur Ranjit Singh of Dundlod, and his first wife, Thakurani Ratan Kanwar, and had issue. He died 7^th August 1851.
  • Maharaja Sardar Singh (qv)
  • Maharaj Sher Singh
• Maharaja Narendra SARDAR SINGH, 19^th Maharaja of Bikaner 1851/1872, born 14^th September 1818, the British Government granted the Tibbi llaka/Pargana to the Maharaja in recognition of his services to it during the Mutiny of 1857, later in 1871, Maharaja Sardar Singh subscribed one Lakh of Rupees to the Mayo College at Ajmer. The Civil, Criminal and Revenue Courts were also established then at the same time, he married (amongst others) (a), 12^th February 1833, Maharani Pratap Kunwari, daughter of Maharajkumar Dip Singh of Pratapgarh, married (b), 1836, a niece of the Maharaja of Rewa, married (c), 13^th June 1855, the daughter of Maharaja Vinay Singhji of Alwar, and had issue. He died spl on 16^th May 1872.
  • Kunwar Megh Singh (natural son)
• HH Maharaja Narendra Shri DUNGAR SINGH, 20^th Maharaja of Bikaner 1872/1887, born 5^th September 1854, married 1^stly, 1876, a daughter of Maharao Pragmalji II of Kutch, married 2^ndly, a daughter of the Thakur of Satasar. He died sp on 31^st August 1887.
• Maj.-Gen.HH Maharajadhiraj Raj Rajeshwar Narendra Siromani Maharaja Sri Sir GANGA SINGHJI Bahadur, 21^st Maharaja of Bikaner 1887/1943, born 13^th October 1880 in Bikaner (Asoj Sudi, 10^th S. 1937 = 3^rd Oct. 1880), K.C.I.E. [cr.1901], K.C.S.I. [cr.1904], G.C.S.I. [cr.1911], G.C.I.E. [cr.1907], G.C.V.O. [cr.1919], G.B.E. (Mil) [cr.1921], K.C.B.(Hon)(Mil) [cr.1918], LL.D. (Hon) (Cambridge and Edinburgh), D.C.L. (Hon) (Oxford), F.R.G.S., initially educated privately, then at Mayo College, Ajmer 1889/1894. From 1895 to 1898, he was put under the guidance of Sir Brian Egerton for administrative training, learning the entire administrative work from that of Patwari to that of Prime Minister. For Military training, he was sent to Deoli in 1898 and attached to the Deoli Regiment, which had the reputation of being one of the finest Regiment in India under the command of Lt. Col. Bell. He established a Chief Court in Bikaner in , presided over by a Chief Judge who was assisted by two Judges. Bikaner was the first State in Rajasthan to take such a step. He announced the establishment of a Representative Assembly in 1913. He later established a High Court with a Chief Justice and two sub-judges by an Edict in 1922. Maharaja Ganga Singhji was again the first prince in Rajputana to have granted full charter of powers to a High Court. A life insurance and Endowment Assurance Scheme was introduced for the benefit of the employees. Also, facilities of a Saving Bank were made available to the people. He was one of the first Rulers to introduce through legislation Sharda Act by which child marriages were stopped. He was a Donat of Order of St John of Jerusalem in England, served in China in 1900, commanding the Bikaner Camel Corps (received the KCIE and medal, mentioned in despatches), served during WWI in France and Egypt (receiving the KCB, rank of Hon. Maj.-Gen., 1914 Star, Grand Cordon of Order of the Nile), awarded the Kaiser-i-Hind (Gold) Medal in 1900, has a personal gun salute of 19 granted in 1918 and a permanent local gun salute of of 19 granted in 1921, Hon. ADC to HRH Prince of Wales in 1902 and to HM in 1910, Member of the Central Recruiting Board-India 1917, represented India at Imperial War Conference 1917 and at Imperial War Cabinet and Peace Conference 1919, Chancellor of Indian Chamber of Princes 1920/26, Patron of Benares Hindu University and Sri Bharat Dharam Mahamandal, Vice President of East India Association and Royal Colonial Institute, Member of the Indian Gymkhana Club and Indian Army Temperance Association, Member of General Council of Mayo and Daly Colleges, Member of the Indian Society of Oriental Art and the Indian Society-London and the Bombay Natural History Society, first Member of the Indian Red Cross Society. He married 1^stly, in July 1897, HH Maharani Vallabh Kumariji Sahiba, daughter of HH Maharawat Sir Raghunath Singhji Bahadur of Pratapgarh, she died 19^th August 1906, married 2^ndly, HH Maharani Sri Ajabh Kunvar [HH Maharani Sri Bhatiyaniji Sahiba], died July 1922, daughter of Thakur Bahadur Singh of Bhikamkore, Jodhpur, and had issue. He died 2^nd February 1943 in Bombay (Magh Badi, 11^th S. 1999).
  • Maharajkumar Ram Singhji, born 30^th June 1898, died 30^th June 1898.
  • Maharajkumari Chand Kanwar, born 1^st July 1899, died 31^st July 1915.
  • Lt.-Gen. HH Maharajadhiraj Raj Rajeshwar Narendra Shiromani Maharajah Sri Sadul Singhji (qv)
  • Maharajkumar Sri Bijaya Singhji, born 29^th March 1909, married 26^th April 1927, Maharajkumarani Manohar Kanwar of Jaisalmer, and had issue. He died 11^th February 1932.
    • Rani Jay Kunwar, born 19^th January 1928, married 20^th November 1948, Raja Vijay Bushan Singh of Jashpur, and has issue.
    • HH Maharani Lakshmi Kumari, born 9^th November 1929, married 1^st June 1950, HH Shri Huzur Maharaja Bhanuprakash Singhji Sahib Bahadur of Narsinghgarh, and has issue, five sons.
    • HH Maharani Dev Kunwar, born 1^st January 1932, married, 3^rd May 1955, HH Maharawal Mahipal Singhji II of Dungarpur, and has issue.
  • Maharajkumar Vir Singhji, born 7^th October 1910, died 27^th March 1911.
  • HH Maharani Shiv Kumari [HH Rajmata Sahiba of Kotah], born 1^st March 1912, M.L.A. of Khanpur, District Jhalawar for one term, from 1966 to 1971, married 30^th April 1930, HH Maharao Shri Bhim Singhji II of Kotah, and has issue. (Umed Bhawan Palace, Palace Road, Kota, Rajasthan, India)
• Lt.-Gen. HH Maharajadhiraj Raj Rajeshwar Narendra Shiromani Maharajah Sri SADUL SINGHJI Bahadur G.C.S.I., G.C.I.E., C.V.O., 22^nd Maharaja of Bikaner 1943/1950, born 7^th September 1902, succeeded 2^nd February 1943 and was installed on the gaddi on 13^th February 1943, Knight Grand Commander of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem; he accompanied his father on important Imperial and International conferences including the peace treaty at Versailles in 1919 and the League of Nations Session; he joined the constituent assembly and played significant role in the unification of the country; he toured the Middle East War front in 1943 and visited the Sadul Light Infantry Stationed in Persia and the 49 (Bikaner) G.P.T. Company in Iraq, in November 1944, he proceeded to the Assam-Burma war theatre where the Bijay Battery was engaged in active operations against the Japanese; married 18^th April 1922, HH Maharani Sudarshan Prasad Kumari, born 5^th September 1906, died 19^th December 1971, daughter of HH Maharajah Sir Venkatraman Prasad Singhji Ju Deo Bahadur of Rewah, and his second wife, the daughter of Raja Ranjit Singh of Ratlam, and had issue. He died 25^th September 1950.
  • HH Maharani Sushila Kunwariji, born 24^th April 1923, married 29^th February 1940, Colonel HH 108 Sri Maharaj Adhiraj Raj Rajeshwar Ravi Kula Bushana-Mahi Mahindra Yavadarya Kula Kamaldhivakara Chattis Rajkul Singar Maharana Shri Bhagwat Singh Bahadur Hindua Suraj Hindupati, 33^rd Maharana of Udaipur, and had issue. She died 5^th November 1999 in Udaipur.
  • HH Maharajadhiraj Raj Rajeshwar Narendra Shiromani Maharajah Sri Dr. Karni Singhji Bahadur (qv)
  • Maharaj Amar Singh, born 11^th December 1925, educated at Mayo College, Ajmer and at St. Stephen’s College, Delhi; married 10^th March 1944, Rani Manhar Kunwarba Sahiba, daughter of Kumar Shri Bhupat Singhji of Dhrangadhra, and his wife, the younger daughter of Kumar Shri Jawan Singhji of Nawanagar (and niece of the Maharaja Jam Sahib of Nawanagar), and had issue. He died 16^th June 2007.
    • Maharaj Chandra Shekhar Singh, married and has issue.
      • HH Maharajadhiraj Raj Rajeshwar Narendra Shiromani Maharajah Sri Ravi Raj Singh Bahadur (qv)
      • Rajkumari Hemangini Kumari, (Yuvarani Hema Kumari), married 1^stly, (div. 2003), Maharaj Kumar Yuvaraj Himanshu Sinhji, born 30^th December 1966, Yuvraj Sahib of Gondal, married 2^ndly, 28^th May 2003 (sep.’d, July 2008), Kumar Shri Ajayveersinh Ghanshyamsinhji of Mansa.
    • Maharaj Rajesh Singh, married and has issue.
      • Rajkumari Shriridhi Kumari
• HH Maharajadhiraj Raj Rajeshwar Narendra Shiromani Maharajah Sri Dr. KARNI SINGHJI Bahadur, 23^rd Maharaja of Bikaner 1950/1988, born 21^st April 1924. His preliminary schooling was completed in Bikaner, then at St. Stephens College, Delhi, at St Xavier’s College, Bombay, [BA (Hons) (History and Politics)]; at Bombay University PhD, 1964 for his thesis ‘Relationship of Bikaner Royal Family with Central Authority (1465-1949)’. He was elected Member of Parliament from 1952 to 1977 Lok Sabha (Indian Parliament), served on various consultative comittees of different ministries. Recreations include.. tennis; shooting (he was a world renowned shooter, as an outstanding player, he participated in many Olympic and Asian Games in clay pigeon shooting; National Champion in clay pigeon traps and skeet for many years; represented India, clay pigeon shooting, Olympic Games: Rome, 1960, Pre-Olympics, Tokyo, 1963, Tokyo, 1964 (Captain), Mexico, 1968, Munich, 1972, Moscow, 1980 World Shooting Championships Oslo, 1961; Cairo (Captain) , 1962 (2^nd in world after tie for 1^st place); Wiesbaden, 1966 (Captain); Bologna, 1967; San Sebastian, Spain, 1969; Asian Shooting Championships Tokyo, 1967; Seoul, 1971 (Captain, Gold Medal); Won Clay Pigeon Welsh Grand Prix, N Wales Cup and NW England Cup, 1981; Asian Games, Tehran, 1974 (Silver Medal); Kuala Lumpur 1975 (Silver Medal)); golf; flying (qualified for private pilot’s licence); cricket; mechanics; photography; oil painting. Clubs include Royal Wimbledon Golf; Clay Pigeon Shooting Assoc., Essex (Hon. Life Vice-Pres.); Willingdon Sports, Cricket Club of india, Bombay Flying, Bombay Presidency Golf, Western India Automobile Association (Bombay); Delhi Golf (Delhi); National Sports Club of India. He was an ardent supporter of Rajathani Language and pleaded for its inclusion in the 14^th schedule of Indian Constitution. Awards include.. Insignia Grand Commander: Order of Vikram Star (Bikaner), Order of Sadul Star (Bikaner), Order of Star of Honour (Bikaner); Africa Star; War Medal; India Service Medal, ‘Arjuna Award’ for shooting sports in 1962. Member of the Asiatic Society of India and the Bombay Natural History Society, married 25^th February 1944, HH Maharani Sushila Kumari, daughter of HH Rai-i-Rayan Maharawal Shri Sir Lakshman Singhji Bahadur of Dungarpur, and his second wife, HH Maharani Manhar Kunwar, and has issue, one son and two daughters. He died 6^th/4^th September 1988.
  • HH Maharajadhiraj Raj Rajeshwar Narendra Shiromani Maharajah Sri Narendra Singhji Bahadur (qv)
  • Maharaj Kumari Rajyashree Kumari [née Kumari Ratja Devi], born 4^th June 1953 in Bombay. She stands unrivalled in target shooting. At the age of seven she had the unique distinction of winning the National Air Rifle Championship in the under twelve years of age junior section. Furthermore, and significantly, the Princess beat all competitors in all age group in air rifle shooting and won the open championship trophy first at the age of ten and then again at the age of twelve. At the age of 14 at the All India Selection Trials held at Ahmedabad during the year 1967 she set a new All India record of 358/400 in Air Rifle Shooting by beating her nearest rival by a big margin of 33 points. She was declared “Sports Person of the year” and was awarded the much-coveted ‘Arjuna Award’ in 1969 when she was only 16 years old. This award is the highest acclaim that India can give to its sportsmen and sportswomen for outstanding achievement. She comes from a very long line of great shooters. At the 13^th National Shooting Championship held in Madras in 1968, Princess Rajyashree Kumari at the age of 15 won all the items in which she entered and won the largest number of gold medals in shooting. When she was only 17, she established National Record scoring 92 out of 100 in Trap shooting (I.R.) at the National Shooting Championship in 1970 which is still unbeaten. National Champion in All India Ladies Clay Pigeon Trap Shooting Championships. At the National Shooting Championship at Chandigarh in 1975 the Princess on Second place in Trap Shooting, beating all male competitors, (her father Dr. Karni Singh, won first place), married 19^th February 1973, Kumar Shri Mayurdhwajsinhji Jayvantsinhji Gohel, son of Kumar Shri Sir Jayvantsinhji Gohel of Palitana, and has issue, a daughter, and a son.
    • Kumari Shri Anupama Kumari, born 24^th April 1974.
    • Kumar Shri Sajjansinhji Mayurdhwajsinhji Gohel, born 16^th May 1980, educated at the London School of Economics; Director of International Security for the London-based Asia-Pacific Foundation.
  • Maharaj Kumari Madhulika Kumari, born 9^th August 1956, married 10^th December 1974, Yuvaraj Rajveer Sinhji, son of Thakur Sahib Bhupendra Sinhji of Malia, and his wife, Thakurani Dilhar Kumari, eldest daughter of Shrimant Raja Mahendra Singh Ju Deo of Nagod, and has issue, one son.
• HH Maharajadhiraj Raj Rajeshwar Narendra Shiromani Maharajah Sri NARENDRA SINGHJI Bahadur, 24^th Maharaja of Bikaner 1988/2003, born 13^th January 1946, succeeded 4^th September 1988, installed on the gaddi on 29^th September 1988, married 27^th April 1971 at New Delhi, Rajkumari Padma Kumari [HH Maharani Padma Kumari of Bikaner], born 1^st January 1953 at Chamba, daughter of HH Raja Saheb Shri Lakshman Singh of Chamba, and his wife, HH Rani Devendra Kumari, and had issue, three daughters. He died 24^th October 2003 at Delhi, cremated the next day at Devi Kund Sagar on the outskirts of Bikaner town.
  • Maharajkumari Dakshya Kumari, born 13^th July 1972, died in June 2000 at the Apollo Hospital, Delhi.
  • Maharajkumari Siddhi Kumari, born 6^th October 1973.
  • Maharajkumari Mahima Kumari, born 23^rd December 1975, married in April 1997, Sunit Sharma, and is settled in New Delhi.
    • Sannjna M Kumari, born 12^th July 2000.
• HH Maharajadhiraj Raj Rajeshwar Narendra Shiromani Maharaja Sri RAVI RAJ SINGH Bahadur, 25^th Maharaja of Bikaner, since the 24^th October 2003. Born 5^th April 1977, formerly an executive with the ICICI Bank in Jaipur, installed as Maharaja on 24^th April 2004 at Dhanni Nath Giri Math’s Panach temple; married HH Maharani Shipra Kumari, daughter of the Sisodia Rawal of Dondaicha in District Dhule, Maharashtra. He died on 12^th April 2022.

Note(s)

• 1
  This Singhasan was used by Rulers of Bikaner on special occasions during princely times, in preference to the Golden Throne in the Junagadh Fort.