The Relation of The House of Bikaner with The Central Power (1465-1949) :
THIS BOOK ATTEMPTS to offer a comprehensive record of the relationship which the House of Bikaner built with the rulers of Delhi during a span of close to five centuries. The material for the book is found both in original sources and numerous works of modern writers. It was a relationship between two bodies so dis similar in their aims and objects that a research student has often to change the angle of his approach to suit the changing pattern of history over the centuries. The nature of such a relationship largely depended upon the temperaments and character of the imperial authorities and the rulers of Bikaner. The reign of a Maharaja witnessed so many vicissitudes in his political and personal relationship with the rulers of Delhi that it took innumerable turns every now and then. In this book an attempt has been made to examine in detail the causes and consequences of all these reactions and changes disturbing the smooth continuity of the relationship, at times straining the relationship and at other times cementing it further.
The narrative opens up amidst a tumultuous war and din when, dissappointed in his hopes to recover the seat of his ancestors in Central Asia, Babar raided India, defeated the Lodis and started towards Kanwaha with a view to founding a new empire. In the bloody battle of Kanwaha where the Rajput chivalry, daunt less even in death, was blasted before Babar’s terrible Tur kish ordnance. Rao Kalyanmal, while still heir-apparent, took part against the invading Mughal hordes; Rao Jaitsi successfully repelled a Mughal invasion and forced Kamran to flee back. After this period of clash and conflict, the House of Timur as well as the House of Bikaner realised the importance of their respective adversaries and entered into a relationship which was both cordial and co-operative. While the imperial Mughals were always prepared to respect gallant fighters whose assistance they needed for curbing the Afghan power, the rulers of Bikaner found that a career in the imperial service could afford wide opportunities for statecraft and soldiering for which they were so well-fitted. This went to constitute the corner-stone of a happy relationship under whose aegis Raja Rai Singh became one of the most distinguished generals of emperor Akbar, saw service on every frontier of the Empire and was rewarded by the grant of the exalted rank of Commander of five thousand, a grant of territory and the title of Raja.