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{{Short description|Maharaja of Bikaner from 1851 to 1872}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox royalty
| name = Maharaja Sardar Singh
| title = [[Maharaja]]
| image = MET DT4008 CRD.jpg
| caption = Portrait by Chotu, {{circa|1860–70}}
| succession = [[Maharaja]] of [[Bikaner State|Bikaner]]
| reign = {{Nowrap|7 August 1851 – 16 May 1872}}
| coronation = 19 August 1851
| predecessor = [[Ratan Singh of Bikaner|Ratan Singh]]
| successor = [[Dungar Singh]]
| birth_date = {{birth date|1818|09|18|df=yes}}
| death_date = {{death date and age|1872|05|16|1818|09|18|df=yes}}
| spouse = Sisodiniji Pratap Kanwarji of [[Pratapgarh State]]

Sisodiniji Ranawatji Mehtab Kanwarji of [[Udaipur]]-[[Mewar]]

Kachwahiji (Narukiji) Bhoor Kanwarji of [[Alwar State]]

Bagheliji Padam Kanwarji of [[Rewa State]]

Bhatiyaniji (Rawalotji) Hukam Kanwarji of [[Jaisalmer State]]

Bhatiyaniji Govind Kanwarji of Jakhan in [[Marwar]]

Bhatiyaniji (Pugalyaniji) Chand Kanwarji of [[Pugal]] in [[Bikaner State]]

Bhatiyaniji (Pugalyaniji) Kishan Kanwarji of [[Pugal]] in [[Bikaner State]]

Bhatiyaniji (Pugalyaniji) Takht Kanwarji of [[Pugal]] in [[Bikaner State]]

Bhatiyaniji (Rawalotji) Man Kanwarji of Gadiyala in [[Bikaner State]]

Bhatiyaniji (Rawalotji) Heer Kanwarji of Gadiyala in [[Bikaner State]]

Kachwahiji (Kumbhawatji) Kundan Kanwarji of Baleri in [[Bikaner State]]

Kachwahiji (Kumbhawatji) Suraj Kanwarji of Baleri in [[Bikaner State]]

Tanwarji Dev Kanwarji of Kelawa in [[Marwar]]

Tanwarji Yadav Kanwarji of Lakhasar in [[Bikaner State]]
| father = Maharaja [[Ratan Singh of Bikaner|Ratan Singh]]
| mother = Maharaniji Shekhawatji Raj Kanwarji d.of Rawal Ranjit Singh of [[Dundlod]] in [[Jaipur State]]
| house = {{flagicon image|Flag_of_Bikaner.svg}} [[Bikaner State|Bikaner]]
| dynasty = [[Rathore dynasty|Rathore]]
}}
'''Maharaja Sardar Singh''' was the [[Maharaja|Rathore-Rajput]] ruler of its Bikawat subclan of [[Bikaner State]] from the year 1851 until his death in 1872.

==Birth==
Singh was born on 13 September 1818 as the eldest son of [[Ratan Singh of Bikaner|Ratan Singh]] and his wife, Raj Kanwar, from [[Shekhawati]].<ref name=":3">{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=Rajvi Amar |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AZIMAQAAMAAJ |title=Mediaeval History of Rajasthan: Western Rajasthan |date=1992 |publisher=Rajvi Amar Singh |pages=i, 501–503,520 |language=en}}</ref>

==Succession==
Upon the death of his father on 7 August 1851, he succeeded him as the [[Maharaja]] of [[Bikaner State|Bikaner]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Sinh |first=Ranbir |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9EduAAAAMAAJ |title=History of Shekhawats |date=2001 |publisher=Publication Scheme |isbn=978-81-86782-74-3 |pages=342 |language=en}}</ref>

== Coronation ==
His coronation was held on 19 August 1851.<ref name=":0" /> The [[coronation]] ceremony of Sardar Singh followed a pattern similar to the coronations of the [[Maharaja|Maharajas]] of [[Bikaner State|Bikaner]] before him. His day began with the application of ointment in sacred oil and a purificatory bath in [[saffron]] water.<ref name=":3" /> He then worshipped [[Ganesha|Ganesh]], followed by prayers to various gods, goddesses, and family deities at Har Mandir in [[Junagarh Fort|Junagarh]].<ref name=":3" /> When the preparations were completed in the Karan Mahal, the nobat ({{Translation|beating of kettle drums with clarinet}}) was played in the chaubara ({{Translation|open room with four doors}}) just opposite the Karan Mahal.<ref name=":3" /> Then, he was brought to Karan Mahal, where the sandalwood throne of the Emperors of Kannauj was placed.<ref name=":3" /> He was wearing a [[Saffron (color)|saffron]] colored court dress.<ref name=":3" /> He moved toward the throne and offered a mujra ({{Translation|obeisance or formal salutation}}), by joining both hands, bending slightly, and bowing three times from a distance.<ref name=":3" /> As recorded in ''Desh Darpan'' ({{Translation|Mirror of the Country}}), a historical account of Bikaner’s rulers, he bowed and paid homage 21 times in between.<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite book |last=Sharma |first=Gopi Nath |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LgscAAAAIAAJ |title=The Historians and Sources of History of Rajasthan |last2=Bhatnagar |first2=V. S. |date=1992 |publisher=Centre for Rajasthan Studies, University of Rajasthan |pages=24 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Waseem |first=Shah Mohammad |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dShuAAAAMAAJ |title=هندوستان ميں فارسى تاريخ نگارى: ٧١ويں صدى كے آخرى نصف سے ٨١ويں صدى كے پهلے نصف تک فارسى تاريخ نگارى كا ارتقاء |date=2003 |publisher=Kanishka Publishers |isbn=978-81-7391-537-6 |pages=80 |language=en}}</ref> Afterward, he bowed near the throne and concluded the mujra by performing it three times in the full [[Durbar (court)|durbar]].<ref name=":3" /> Chiefs of Mahajan and Bhukarka were standing on the left of the throne, while the Chiefs of Bidasar and Rawatsar were standing on the right.<ref name=":3" /> All four had the hereditary privilege to mark the Raj Tilak ({{Translation|coronation ceremony}}).<ref name=":3" /> He initially inquired of the chiefs on the left of the throne whether he should proceed to ascend.<ref name=":3" /> They responded that, by the blessings and will of Lakshminathji and Mataji ([[Karni Mata]]), he should do so.<ref name=":3" /> He then posed the same question to the chiefs on the right, and they gave the same reply.<ref name=":3" /> Following this, he ascended the throne.<ref name=":3" /> Afterward, the [[Chowdhury]] of Runiya came forward and applied a tilak on Sardar Singh’s forehead.<ref name=":3" /> An uncle of his applied tilak on his forehead before the four premier chiefs of Bikaner—Mahajan, Bidasar, Rawatsar, and Bhukarka—who, as per tradition, were to place tilak turn by turn, one after the other, while all other nobles and ministers attending the durbar remained standing.<ref name=":3" /> A 101-gun salute was fired to commemorate his coronation.<ref name=":3" /> Afterward, a 19-gun salute was fired to signify that he was the 19th ruler of [[Bikaner State|Bikaner]].<ref name=":3" /> Then, a descendant of Bela Parihar (master of the horse of [[Rao Bika]]), who was in the care of the state horses, marked the tilak, and state heirlooms were worshipped.<ref name=":3" /> After all the ceremonies were completed, the members of the royal family, chiefs and nobles, ministers, officers, and dignitaries who had assembled presented their nazars ({{Translation|offerings, gifts or tributes}}) to him.<ref name=":3" /> Afterwards, he was presented with paintings of [[Krishna]] and of all his predecessors.<ref name=":3" /> To accept them, he rose from his seat and received them.<ref name=":3" /> Then, he went to Har Mandir again, where arti was performed as usual.<ref name=":3" /> He also went to Devi-Dwara and presented offerings to [[Nagnechiya Maa]].<ref name=":3" /> Following this, he walked to the Khas-Deodhi of [[Junagarh Fort|Junagarh]] and conducted the worship of the [[Ganesha|Ganesh]] image fixed over that gate.<ref name=":3" /> Once all the rituals associated with the coronation were concluded, he participated in a feast alongside the chiefs and nobles, during which sweetened wheat porridge, mung beans, and rice cooked with ghee were served.<ref name=":3" /> He informed [[James Broun-Ramsay, 1st Marquess of Dalhousie|James Broun-Ramsay]], then [[Governor-General of India]], by sending a kharita of his coronation on 19 August 1851.<ref name=":3" /> It was submitted on his behalf by the then Agent to the [[Governor-General of India|Governor-General]] for Rajputana through [[Henry Miers Elliot]].<ref name=":3" />

His [[coronation]] was attended by Karni Singh, the [[Rao (title)|Rao]] of [[Pugal]], who was the first in his family to attend the coronation of any [[Maharaja]] of [[Bikaner State|Bikaner]].<ref name=":6">{{Cite book |last=Sardeshpande |first=S. C. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zChuAAAAMAAJ |title=Pugal, the Desert Bastion |date=1989 |publisher=Lancer |isbn=978-81-7062-060-0 |pages=58 |language=en}}</ref> He did so on the condition that Sardar Singh marry his daughter.<ref name=":6" />

== Reign ==
He had, in 1851, requested on behalf of the [[Thakur (title)|Thakur]] of [[Dundlod]], who was related to him, that [[Ram Singh II]] issue the necessary orders for the restoration of his villages back to [[Dundlod]], which were usurped by Shyam Singh of Bissau.<ref name=":0" /> Accordingly, [[Ram Singh II]] assigned the [[Raja]] of [[Khandela]] to settle the dispute.<ref name=":0" /> He had appointed 18 diwans ({{Translation|Prime Minister}}) from the start of his reign up to 1869.<ref name=":5" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-06-07 |title=Maharaja Sardar Singh of Bikaner (ca. 1860-70) |url=https://thefridaytimes.com/07-Jun-2019/maharaja-sardar-singh-of-bikaner-ca-1860-70 |access-date=2025-02-01 |website=The Friday Times |language=en}}</ref>

When the [[Indian Rebellion of 1857]] broke out, he didn't forget the treaty that was signed by his ancestor, Surat Singh, on behalf of [[Bikaner State|Bikaner]] and [[Francis Rawdon-Hastings, 1st Marquess of Hastings|Francis Rawdon-Hastings]] on behalf of the [[British Government]].<ref name=":10">{{Cite book |last=Rathore |first=L. S. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9EluAAAAMAAJ |title=Maharaja Sadul Singh of Bikaner: A Biography of the Co-architect of India's Unity |date=2005 |publisher=Books Treasure |isbn=978-81-900422-0-8 |pages=30–31 |language=en}}</ref> According to this treaty, signed on 9 March 1818 at [[Delhi]], the friends and enemies of one party were the friends and enemies of both.<ref name=":9">{{Cite book |last=Department |first=India Foreign and Political |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=X7If217KeokC |title=A Collection of Treaties, Engagements and Sanads, Relating to India and Neighbouring Countries |date=1909 |publisher=Superintendent Government Printing, India |pages=338–339,343–345 |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":8" /> He provided shelter to European fugitives.<ref name=":9" /> [[Sirsa]], [[Hisar (city)|Hissar]], and [[Hansi]]—the British territories that shared borders with [[Bikaner State|Bikaner]]—were in the hands of rebel forces.<ref name=":10" /> He proceeded in person to these places along with his troops to assist British forces.<ref name=":10" /> The forces at his disposal consisted of regular, well-disciplined infantry and cavalry, and a large auxiliary camel force.<ref name=":2" /> He was accompanied by his leading nobles and the levies they raised to support Sardar.<ref name=":2" /> He had his troops repulse 3,000 rebels near Hazaripur.<ref name=":10" /> They captured 7,000 animals and 92 rebels.<ref name=":10" /> Six hundred followers of [[Tatya Tope]] surrendered to him.<ref name=":3" /> When, in November 1858, [[Queen Victoria]], by a proclamation, announced amnesty to all rebels not involved in the murder of British officers and civilians, Sardar persuaded many rebels to surrender.<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Indian Uprising of 1857 and its aftermath |url=https://www.lhistoire.fr/english-version/the-indian-uprising-of-1857-and-its-aftermath |access-date=2025-02-01 |website=www.lhistoire.fr |language=fr}}</ref> [[George St Patrick Lawrence|G. St. P. Lawrence]], in his official dispatch to the [[British government of India|Government of India]], described his services as follows:<ref name=":2" />{{Blockquote|text=Sardar Singh, Maharaja of Bikaner, has from the commencement of the outbreak actively exhibited the most loyal friendship and devotion to the British Government, and warmly co-operated with us in the field. The Government of India is already well acquainted with the Raja’s services in rescuing, affording refuge to, and supplying the wants of, several europeans. The troops of this province were employed under General van Cortlandt in Hansee and Hissar.
The excellent conduct of the Maharaja, who at the head of his troops proceeded to his own frontier, there prepared to join us where and whenever required, presented a most notable example, not only to his own dependants, but to the princes of Rajputana, and displayed a spirit and energy not elsewhere met with.
I consider the Maharaja is deserving of the highest scale of reward which the Government may be pleased to sanction to the most meritorious of Rajput states.|sign=[[George St Patrick Lawrence|G. St. P. Lawrence]]}}On 21 December 1860, the then Agent to the [[Governor-General of India|Governor-General]] in [[Rajputana]] wrote a letter to the Secretary to the [[British government of India|Government of India]], Foreign Department, which mentioned the services of Sardar Singh in the following words:<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite book |last=Maharaja Of Bikaner |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.115745 |title=Minute On Certain Points Relating To The Indian States And Their Rulers. |date=1915 |pages=26–27}}</ref>
{{Blockquote|text=His Highness, who at the commencement of the outbreak at once proceeded to his extreme border to assist us, and by his courage and the example of his loyalty checked disaffection and gave confidence to the wavering. No Prince in Rajputana save Bikaner took the field in person in our favour without hesitation. No Prince gave the like aid in searching out and rescuing fugitives, though all gave their hospitable shelter and support, and no other Prince exhibited such purely disinterested motives in giving us his active assistance; and none but the Bikaner Raja suffered so heavy a loss of Rajput kindred and chiefs whilst fighting purely in our cause. It was for these reasons that i considered, and still consider, the loyalty and good services of the Bikaner Raja superior to those of any other chief in Rajputana, including Jaipur.}}
[[Queen Victoria]], upon learning of his services, sent a kharita through [[Charles Wood, 1st Viscount Halifax|Charles Wood]], the [[Secretary of State for India]], which was presented to him in a durbar.<ref name=":10" /><ref name=":2" /> It mentioned:

{{Blockquote|text=It is in such times that the true quality of friendship is best tested; and it will ever be among the most cherished recollections of Her Majesty that Your Highness and other princely representatives of the ancient houses of Rajpootana were, during the eventful years which have just passed, among the most steadfast of her friends.}}

Before his reign, [[Bikaner State|Bikaner]]'s copper coins were poorly made and varied in weight.<ref name=":7">{{Cite book |last=Webb |first=William Wilfrid |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ut-Se3oBWDMC |title=The Currencies of the Hindu States of Rájputána |date=1893 |publisher=Constable & Company |pages=53–63 |language=en}}</ref> He improved their stamping and quality.<ref name=":7" /> No smaller silver coins were issued before him, but he and his successor, [[Dungar Singh]], issued coins of half, quarter, and eighth of a rupee.<ref name=":7" /> His coinage bore the name of the Mughal emperor until 1859, when he replaced with the name of [[Queen Victoria|Victoria]].<ref name=":7" /><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8upCEQAAQBAJ |title=Complete Guide for Rajasthan Computer Instructor Basic/ Senior Paper 1 & 2 conducted by RSMSSB |publisher=Disha Publication Inc |isbn=978-93-5564-240-0 |pages=34 |language=en}}</ref> The new coinage bore the inscription: '''Aurang árái Hind wa Inglistán [[Queen Victoria]]''' ({{Translation|[[Queen Victoria]], the ornament of the thrones of [[India]] and [[England]]}}).<ref name=":7" />

During the first part of his reign, [[Bikaner State|Bikaner]] was very well administered, but for much of his reign, [[Bikaner State|Bikaner]] reached the lowest point of its fortunes.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":2" /> His feudatories were always in constant revolt against him, and his armies were unable to reduce them to obedience and manage his dominions.<ref name=":2" /> [[Bikaner State|Bikaner]] fell into heavy debt, and its yearly spending was much higher than its income.<ref name=":2" />

==Architecture==
He had, before his succession, built a fort at [[Sardarshahar]], a name he gave to the settlement that grew around it.<ref name=":5">{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tORAAQAAMAAJ |title=Provincial Series: Central Provinces |date=1908 |publisher=Superintendent of Gevernment Printing |pages=404, 421 |language=en}}</ref> In 1808, the armies of [[Kingdom of Marwar|Jodhpur]] laid waste to Gajner, which was the family hunting seat.<ref name=":4">{{Cite book |last=Goetz |first=Hermann |url=https://archive.org/details/in.gov.ignca.14228/ |title=Art and Architecture of Bikaner State |date=1950 |pages=75,78,80–82}}</ref> Gajner remained a ruin until his reign.<ref name=":4" /> He built the Sardar Niwas Palace at Gajner.<ref name=":4" /> He added the Ratan Niwas, the Moti Mahal, and the top storeys of the [[zenana]] to the [[Junagarh Fort]].<ref name=":4" /> He enlarged the hall of Gaj Mandir in [[Junagarh Fort|Junagarh]] by double and redecorated it.<ref name=":4" /> He renovated the ''Kanwar-pade-ka-Mahal'' ({{Translation|the palace of eldest prince}}) located within it.<ref name=":4" /> He also built Ratan Parol, the topkhana ({{Translation|artillery establishment}}), and some small quarters in the southern extension of [[Junagarh Fort|Junagarh]].<ref name=":4" />

==Personality and public image==
[[File:Maharaja Sardar Singh.jpg|thumb|Sardar Singh by Rahim]]
He was a man of towering personality.<ref name=":3" /> He was said to be a real prince in accordance with the Indian traditions.<ref name=":2" /> He had a face with a white complexion and a white beard.<ref name=":3" /> He was known for his handsomeness.<ref name=":3" /> It is said that when [[Ram Singh II]] learned of this, he came to [[Bikaner State|Bikaner]] incognito just to see him.<ref name=":3" />

He had cultivated for him the image of a ruler who was known for his pomp and display.<ref name=":2" /> His feelkhana ({{Translation|stable of the elephants}}) had ninety-nine elephants.<ref name=":3" /> In spite of having very dwindling state finances and a large debt, he kept a very large military establishment.<ref name=":8">{{Cite book |last=Purcell |first=Hugh |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=N1crDwAAQBAJ |title=Maharajah of Bikaner: India |date=2010-12-14 |publisher=Haus Publishing |isbn=978-1-907822-11-7 |pages=5–7 |language=en}}</ref>

==Death==
He died on 16 May 1872 at Gajner.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=Karni |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=07sBAAAAMAAJ |title=The Relations of the House of Bikaner with the Central Powers, 1465-1949 |date=1974 |publisher=Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers |isbn=978-0-8364-0457-9 |pages=163 |language=en}}</ref> He left behind no legitimate issue, nor any declaration regarding the adoption of a successor to him, but a morganatic son who, per traditions, could not succeed him.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite book |last=Panikkar |first=K. M. |url=https://archive.org/details/dli.csl.7276/ |title=His highness the Maharaja of Bikaner : a biography |date=1937 |publisher=Oxford University Press, London |pages=18–25}}</ref> In such cases of [[intestacy]], per [[Rajput]] traditions, an heir is adopted from the collateral branches nearest to the deceased, and this is what was followed.<ref name=":2" /> He had, in his lifetime, brought up [[Dungar Singh]] and Jaswant Singh as members of his family.<ref name=":1" /> Both of them were descendants of Maharaja Gaj Singh's second son, Maharajkumar Chhatar Singh.<ref name=":1" /> [[Dungar Singh]] was the son of Maharaj Lal Singh and Jaswant Singh was the son of Maharaj Mukan Singh. <ref name=":2" /> Both Maharaj Lal Singh and Maharaj Mukan Singh were great grandsons of Maharajkumar Chhatar Singh and thereby his nearest of kin and cousin.<ref name=":2" /> Lal was being considered the [[heir presumptive]].<ref name=":2" /> However, in accordance with traditions and customs, the choice of successor remained with his eldest wife, Bhatianjiji, and she chose his son [[Dungar Singh]].<ref name=":1" /> His youngest wife, Pugalianiji, favoured the adoption of Jaswant Singh.<ref name=":1" /> This led to the formation of two groups: one in favour of Dungar Singh's succession, and the other in favour of Jaswant Singh.<ref name=":1" /> When Burton, who was at the time dispensing his duties as the Assistant to the Agent to the [[Governor-General of India|Governor-General]] in [[Rajputana]], got to know of what was happening in [[Bikaner State|Bikaner]], he came here on 22 May 1872 to look into the matter and ultimately decided in favour of Bhatianjiji.<ref name=":1" /> Accordingly, [[Dungar Singh]] was adopted as son and successor to Sardar Singh and Jaswant Singh's family retained status of brother of the Maharaja or Maharaj.<ref name=":2" />

== Titles and styles ==

* [[His Highness]] Sri Raj Rajeshwar Maharajadhiraj Narendra [[Maharaja]] Shiromani Sardar Singh Bahadur, [[Maharaja]] of [[Bikaner State|Bikaner]]<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wfUvAQAAIAAJ |title=Encyclopaedia Indica: Princely states in colonial India-I |date=1996 |publisher=Anmol Publications |isbn=978-81-7041-859-7 |pages=200 |language=en}}</ref>

== References ==
<references />
[[Category:1818 births]]
[[Category:1872 deaths]]
[[Category:Maharajas of Bikaner]]
[[Category:Hindu monarchs]]
[[Category:People from British India]]
[[Category:Rajasthani people]]

Sardar Singh of Bikaner - Revision history

Meeekil at 15:59, 22 January 2026