Rao Bika
| Rao Bika | |
|---|---|
| Rao | |
 Defeated Chiefs accepting Rao Bikaji as their new king | |
| Rao of Bikaner | |
| Reign | 30 September 1465 – 17 June 1504 |
| Predecessor | Position established |
| Successor | Rao Naro |
| Born | 5 August 1438 Marwar |
| Died | 17 June 1504 (aged 65) |
| Spouse | |
| Issue | Gadshi Naro Lunkaran |
| Dynasty | Rathore |
| Father | Jodha of Mandore |
| Mother | Sankhaliji (Parmarji) Navrang Deiji of Roon, Marwar[1] |
Rao Bika (5 August 1438 – 17 June 1504), was a scion of the Rathore clan of Rajputs and the founder of the city of Bikaner and Bikaner State in present-day state of Rajasthan in India.[2] He was the fifth son of Rao Jodha, founder of the city of Jodhpur. During his reign he controlled an area of 40,000 square miles, which included 3,000 villages.[3]
Establishment of Bikaner
[edit]In 1465 AD, Rao Bika had come late and taken seat beside his uncle, Rawat Kandhal, with whom he carried a conversation in whisper. Rao Jodha jestingly remarked that they must be making a plan of conquest of new territory, an idea constantly being suggested to him to provide for his large family. Rao Bika and Rawat Kandhal took the observation as a challenge and pledged to win new lands. The land approved by Rao Jodha to conquer through conquest was Jangladesh which had been largely weakened by war as suggested by Napo, a Sankhala Rajput. On 30 September 1465, the 27 year old Rao Bika, leading 100 horsemen and 500 foot-soldiers, left Jodhpur to conquer Jangladesh. He was accompanied by his uncle Rawat Kandhal (who had sworn to establish his nephew just like he did Rao Jodha in Marwar) and his uncles Rupo, Mandan, Mandalo and Nathu; his brothers Bida, Jogayat; his dhai brother rav chahayad gahlot and others.[4] Jangladesh was then inhabited by the Bhatis, Jats, Bhattis and Johiyas.[5] Bika led an army of around 300 of his clansmen to conquer the Jangladesh area. Bika also had the support of Karni Mata, Charans and Godara Jats.[6] Rao Bika founded Bikaner state and conquered the areas of Sirsa, Ladnu, Bhatner, Bhatinda, Singhana, Rini, Nohar and Pugal. During his reign, he controlled an area of 40,000 square miles, which included 3,000 villages. After Rao Bika's death, his elder son Rao Nara became the new ruler of Bikaner, however he died within a year of his reign. Nara was succeeded by his younger brother Rao Lunkaran in 1505.[3]
See also
[edit]Notes
[edit]- ^ Saran, Richard; Ziegler, Norman; Ziegler, Norman P. (2001). The Mertiyo Rathors of Merto, Rajasthan. doi:10.3998/mpub.19305. ISBN 9780891480853. JSTOR 10.3998/mpub.19305.
- ^ "History". bikanermc.org. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
- ^ a b Mohammad Habib, Khaliq Ahmad Nizami (1970). A COMPREHENSIVE HISTORY OF INDIA VOL.5. PEOPLE’S PUBLISHING HOUSE,NEW DELHI. p. 816.
Bika extended the boundaries of his state to the southern limits of the Punjab, including therein Sirsa, Ladnu, Bhatner, Bhatinda, Singhana, Rini, Nohar, Pugal etc. He died in 1504 leaving a territory which comprised 40,000 square miles of land and about 3,000 villages. Bika was succeeded by his eldest son, Rao Nara...he died within a year of his accession and was succeeded by his younger brother, Rao Lunkaran in 1505.
- ^ Manoshi Bhattacharya, The Royal Rajputs: Strange Tales and Stranger Truths (Rupa Publications, 2008) p.263 ISBN 978812911272
- ^ Hooja, Rima (2006). A History of Rajasthan. Rupa & Company. p. 385. ISBN 978-81-291-0890-6.
the Bhatis who controlled the territories to the north and west while to the east, north-east and south east were the settlements of different Jat clans...around this renowned Bhatner were the settlements of the chiefly muslim Bhattis, Johiyas and others.
- ^ Kothiyal, Tanuja (2016). Nomadic Narratives: A History of Mobility and Identity in the Great Indian. Cambridge University Press. p. 78. ISBN 9781107080317. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
Further reading
[edit]- Beny, Roland; Matheson, Sylvia A. (1984). Rajasthan - Land of Kings. London: Frederick Muller. p. 200 pages. ISBN 0-584-95061-6.
- Crump, Vivien; Toh, Irene (1996). Rajasthan (hardback). London: Everyman Guides. p. 400 pages. ISBN 1-85715-887-3.
- Martinelli, Antonio; Michell, George (2005). The Palaces of Rajasthan. London: Frances Lincoln. p. 271 pages. ISBN 978-0-7112-2505-3.