in the The erstwhile Princely state of Bikaner and its capital
city Bikaner was founded by Rao Bika (1465-1504 AD.) by the blessings of
Goddess Karni Mata in the year 1488 AD. In those days this vast tract of desert
country was called “Jangaldesh”. Prince Bika of the Rathore clan of Rajputs was
the valiant son of Rao Jodha- the founder of Jodhpur. Encouraged and provoked
by his father, Prince Bika moved out of Marwar (Jodhpur) on an ambitious
military adventure, with a small contingent of Rathore warriors (500 soldier
and 100 cavalry men). He was supported by his brave uncle, Rawat Kandhal, who
always stood by him as his guardian and politico-strategic advisor. Those were
the days when this land was inhabited by different clans of Jats and Rajputs
and their Chiefs enjoyed fairly good amount of autonomy, of course some of them
owing their allegiance to the Sultanate of Delhi. Rao Bika subdued all the
contemporary Chiefs and was recognized as the ruler of the land. He laid the
foundations of a State that existed till it acceded and merged into the Indian
Union in 1947 and 1949.
Rao Bika laid the foundation of the city of Bikaner in 1488 AD,
having first constructed a small fortress in the Rati Ghati area. Today this
site is situated at the south west end of the old walled city near Laxminath Ji
temple. The royal family of Bikaner lived there, till Raja Rai Singh Ji built a
new fort called Chintamani (now Junagarh) during 1589 to 1593 AD. The rulers of
Bikaner had played a prominent and glorious role in the history of India. They
held high ranks as Mansabdars of special order or Governors in the court of the
Imperial Mughals.
Construction of Junagarh Fort
The first dig ceremony for construction of the fort was held on Thursday, Phagun Vadi 19, V.S. 1645 i.e. 30th January, 1589 AD. The foundation was laid on Monday, Phugan Sudi 12 V.S. 1645 i.e. 17th February, 1589 A.D. and it was completed on Thursday Magh Sudi 6 V.S. 1650 i.e. 17th January 1594 AD. Later on this fort became the most magnificent example of architecture and great centre of art. The present fort is a composite structure, the result of intense building activities of many rulers through four centuries and one of the precious gems of Indian architecture midst of Thar Desert.
The first dig ceremony for construction of the fort was held on Thursday, Phagun Vadi 19, V.S. 1645 i.e. 30th January, 1589 AD. The foundation was laid on Monday, Phugan Sudi 12 V.S. 1645 i.e. 17th February, 1589 A.D. and it was completed on Thursday Magh Sudi 6 V.S. 1650 i.e. 17th January 1594 AD. Later on this fort became the most magnificent example of architecture and great centre of art. The present fort is a composite structure, the result of intense building activities of many rulers through four centuries and one of the precious gems of Indian architecture midst of Thar Desert.
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