Sikar

] , Sikar town had a population of 184,904. Population of Sikar district was 2,287,229 according to census in 2001. The population density of the district was 296 according to the same census. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Sikar has an average literacy rate of 64%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 73%, and female literacy is 54%. In Sikar, 16% of the population is under 6 years of age.

History

Sikar is as much part of Shekhawati as Jhunjhunu. It was the biggest Thikana (Estate) of the Jaipur State ruled by Shekhawats (Rao Ji Ka sub-clan) . Sikar was the capital town of the Thikana Sikar . It is escorted all around by the high walls comprising of seven “Pols”(gates). The primitive name of Sikar was ‘Beer Bhan Ka Bass’. Raja Bahadur Singh Shekhawat, the Raja of Khandela gifted the village (Beer Bhan Ka Bass) to Rao Daulat Singh, son of Rao Jaswant Singh of Kasli Thikana. At the village site of Beer Bhan Ka Bass, Rao Daulat Singh Ji laid down the foundation of new Thikana Sikar in 1687 and built the fort here. Later on his son Rao Shiv Singh (1721/1748) who was very strong ,clever, courageous and bold, he completed the fort and palaces of Sikar. Shiv Singh was the most prominent Rao Raja of Sikar. He developed the village into a beautiful town. It is surrounded by a strong “Parkota” boundary walls. He was a religious man. The famous Temple of Gopinath Ji was got erected by him. Shiv Singh was a great State builder, mighty warrior, a great lover of the art of the painting and architectures. After Shiv Singh his successors were Rao Samrath Singh, Rao Nahar Singh & Rao Chand Singh, Rao Devi Singh ascended the throne of Sikar after Chand Singh. He was a great warrior and ruled over Sikar very efficiently. The forts of Raghunathgarh and Deogarh were built by him and also founded Ramgarh Shekhawati. It was the during the reign of Devi Singh that Sikar became a strong power in Shekhawati. The magnificent Temple of Raghunath Ji and Hanuman Ji bear the witness that he was a great worshipper of Gods and Goddesses. He was so popular that his period is called the golden rule of Sikar. He died in the year 1795. Devi Singh’s son Rao Raja Laxman Singh Ji was also a great warrior. He built the Laxmangarh fort erected on the hill and a town which sprang up at the foot hills in called Laxmangarh after his name. Maharaja Sawai Jagat Singh Ji Saheb Bahadur (II),the king of Jaipur was much pleased with him, as a result the title of ‘Rao Raja’ was conferred upon him by the king .His period is known for the love of art, learning ,religion and culture .He was very philanthropic, the Sikar state was very prosperous in his period . The seth’s & the rich people got the magnificent buildings built & the painting on them are worth seeing.

Rao Raja Ram Pratap Singh who ascended the throne after Laxman Singh got the marble palace made .The golden painting on its walls is very attractive. The successive rulers of Sikar such as Rao Raja Bhairon Singh, Rao Raja Sir Madhav Singh Ji Bahadur (1866/1922), he was granted the title of Bahadur in 1886 &. Madhav Singh enjoys the credit of making huge Victoria Diamonds Jublee Hall & Madhav Niwas Kothi which are the excellent examples of his love for architecture and paintings. He was always anxious for the welfare of the public. During the terrible famine in 1899 (Samvat 1956), he started many famine relief works for the poor and hungry people. It is evident from ‘Madhav Sagar Pond’ which was built in the year 1899. This pond was made at the cost of Rs.56000/- it clearly speaks the fame of his ruler. It was in the times of Madhav Singh that Sikar saw the first light of electricity. The roads were also constructed in his time. The old monuments, forts, palaces, boundary walls and temples were repaired in his time. He was very strong and courageous. He had very cordial relations with the British Government. The survey of Railway from Jaipur to Sikar was accomplished in his period. After Madhav Singh the throne of Sikar was ascended by Kalyan Singh. Rao Raja Kalyan Singh Ji was the last ruler of Sikar (1922/1967). Kalyan Singh had been famous for their love of magnanimous building, palaces, temples and ponds He had ruled over Sikar for 32 years. He built clock tower, which adds beauty to the town. For the welfare of public he got the Kalyan Hospital & Kalyan College built. He died in the year 1967. To commemorate the sweet memory of his late son Kunwar Hardayal Singh.

Sikar is a very fascinating and charming place for the tourist. The fresco Painting on the ancient havelies, temples and forts captivate the tourist from abroad.

Fort and Palace

*Sikar Fort
*Madho Niwas Kothi

Rulers of Sikar

http://www.uq.net.au/~zzhsoszy/ips/s/sikar.html

Transport

There is still no broad gauge railroad in Sikar. It is connected through meter gauge to Delhi, Jaipur, Rewari, Bikaner, Sri Ganganagar, Churu, Jhunjhunu. It's well connected by roads.

Climate

Summers are hot, with temperatures reaching nearly 50 degrees Celsius. Winter temperatures can drop as low as -1 degree Celsius. Fog is common during the winter months and the region receives meagre rainfall.

Education

Sikar, of late, has become a big hub for education in Rajasthan. Along with numerous government colleges providing arts, sciences, and commerce education; a number of private educational institutes have also opened up. Sobhasaria Engineering College [ [http://www.secs.ac.in/ Sobhasaria Engieering Collge Website] ] , Goenka Institute of Education [ [http://www.goenkaeducation.org/AboutGier.htm Modi Educational institute website] ] , Shekhawati Engineering Collge [ [http://www.secd.ac.in/events/manthan2007/ Shekhawati Engineering College] ] are some of the prominent educational institutes in higher education.

ee also

Sikar (Lok Sabha constituency)

References

External links

* [http://www.uq.net.au/~zzhsoszy/ips/s/sikar.html Genealogy of Sikar Rulers]
* [http://www.sikar.nic.in Sikar District web site]
* [http://sikar.nic.in/gal_skr.htm Photogallery of Sikar]