Bikaner
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Bikaner बीकानेर(Hindi) ਬਿਕਾਨੇਰ |
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|---|---|
| Metropolis | |
Laxmi Niwas Palace, Bikaner
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| Nickname(s): BKN | |
 Bikaner
Bikaner
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| Coordinates: 28°01′00″N 73°18′43″E / 28.01667°N 73.31194°ECoordinates: 28°01′00″N 73°18′43″E / 28.01667°N 73.31194°E | |
| Country | India |
| State | Rajasthan |
| District | Bikaner |
| Founded by | Rao Bika ji |
| Government | |
| • Body | Municipal corporation |
| Area | |
| • Total | 155 km2 (60 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 242 m (794 ft) |
| Population (2011) | |
| • Total | 644,406 |
| • Density | 4,200/km2 (11,000/sq mi) |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Hindi, English |
| • Regional | Marwari |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| PIN | 3340XX |
| Telephone code | +91 151 |
| Vehicle registration | RJ-07 |
| Website | www |
| Population Growth of Bikaner City | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1891 | 56,300 |
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| 1901 | 53,100 | -5.7% | |
| 1911 | 55,800 | 5.1% | |
| 1921 | 69,400 | 24.4% | |
| 1931 | 85,900 | 23.8% | |
| 1941 | 127,200 | 48.1% | |
| 1951 | 117,100 | -7.9% | |
| 1961 | 150,600 | 28.6% | |
| 1971 | 208,900 | 38.7% | |
| 1981 | 280,400 | 34.2% | |
| 1991 | 416,300 | 48.5% | |
| 2001 | 529,690 | 27.2% | |
| 2011 | 644,406 | 21.7% | |
| source: | |||
Bikaner (
pronunciation ) is a city in the northwest of the state of Rajasthan in northern India. It is located 330 kilometres (205 mi) northwest of the state capital, Jaipur. Bikaner city is the administrative headquarters of Bikaner District and Bikaner division.
Formerly the capital of the princely state of Bikaner, the city was founded by Rao Bika in 1486 and from its small origins it has developed into the fourth largest city in Rajasthan. The Ganges Canal, completed in 1928, and the Indira Gandhi Canal, completed in 1987, facilitated its development.
The city celebrates its foundation day on Akshaya Tritiya by flying kites and eating special Rajasthani food that includes Bajre Ka Khichda and Imli ka Paani (Tamarind Water) among other snacks. The celebration lasts for two days, known as Chhoti Akha Teej and Badi Akha Teej. People can be seen flying kites during these two days right from the early morning at 5-6am till late sunset. Given the extreme desert weather, standing for long hours under the bright Sun is a torture in itself. Hence, a quick home-made drink like Tamarind Water really helps in controlling body temperature and prevents from heat stroke.
Prior to the mid 15th century, the region that is now Bikaner was a barren wilderness called Jangladesh. Rao Bika established the city of Bikaner in 1488. He was the first son of Maharaja Rao Jodha of the Rathor clan, the founder of Jodhpur and conquered the largely arid country in the north of Rajasthan. As the first son of Jodha he wanted to have his own kingdom, not inheriting Jodhpur from his father or the title of Maharaja. He therefore decided to build his own kingdom in what is now the state of Bikaner in the area of Jangladesh. Though it was in the Thar Desert, Bikaner was considered an oasis on the trade route between Central Asia and the Gujarat coast as it had adequate spring water. Bika's name was attached to the city he built and to the state of Bikaner ("the settlement of Bika") that he established. Bika built a fort in 1478, which is now in ruins, and a hundred years later a new fort was built about 1.5 km from the city centre, known as the Junagarh Fort.
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