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 Bikaner
- The City of Joy, Happiness and Religions. A vast
expanse of rippling sand and scorching son. An arid,
rocky scrubland. It is situated on an elevated ground,
surrounded by a seven-kilometer-long embattled wall
marked by five gates. The Rathore prince Rao Bikaji, the
liveliest and most enterprising son of Rao Jodhaji of
Marwar, founded Bikaner in 1488 AD. The harsh desert
surrounds this rich city, no doubt few could gather
courage to venture into this part of the globe. The old
part of Bikaner city is surrounded by a stone wall that
is 15–30 feet (5–9 m) high and has five gates. Bikaner
is now a trade centre for wool, hides, building stone,
salt, and grain. Bikaneri woolen shawls, blankets,
carpets, and sugar candy are famous, and there are also
ivory and lacquer ware handicrafts.
The city has electrical and mechanical
engineering works, railway workshops, and factories that
manufacture glass, pottery, felts, chemicals, shoes, and
cigarettes. The old part of the city is overlooked by a
fort and has numerous buildings of bright red and yellow
sandstone. Within the fort are several palaces of
different periods, a museum housing Rajput miniature
paintings, and a library of Sanskrit and Persian
manuscripts. The city now owns its own university
Bikaner University (Maharaja Ganga Singh University). Covering all the fields of
education Bikaner do have its own Medical College, MBA
College & Engineering College. Bikaner is situated in an
arid tract of undulating sand hills where the breeding
of camels, horses, and sheep is the principal
occupation. Because there are no rivers, irrigation is
chiefly by means of deep tube wells. Bajra (pearl
millet), Jowar (sorghum), and pulses are the chief crops
grown in the locality. The fortified town still
preserves the aura of medieval times, as it is protected
by harsh desert and remained untouched by outside
influence. The city is an exercise in architecture, one
gapes in awe at the embattled wall with ornamental
gates. The lofty houses with excellent carvings still
survive averring to the craftsmanship and prosperity of
the people. The Town is also famous for delicacies like Rasgullas, Bhujias and Papads. It has become a big wool
production centre, and has a unique Camel research farm. |
