Home > Indian History > History of India > Ganga Singh
Ganga Singh
Ganga Singh was a ruling Maharaja of the princely state of Bikaner, who ruled from the year 1888 to 1943. Singh is well known as a modern reformist visionary.

Share this Article:

Ganga Singh, Maharaja of BikanerGanga Singh, formally known as His Highness General Sir Maharaja Ganga Singh GCSI, GCIE, GCVO, GCStJ, GBE, KCB, was an eminent ruling Maharaja of the princely state of Bikaner, presently in Rajasthan, from the year 1888 to 1943. Singh is well known as a modern reformist visionary. He was the sole non-Anglo member in the British Imperial War Cabinet during the First World War. Maharaja Ganga Singh was born on 3rd October, 1880 as the youngest and third son of Maharaj Sri Lal Singh. Maharaja Shiromani Sri Dungar Singh Bahadur was his elder brother. After the death of his brother in the year 1887, Ganga Singh succeeded him on 16th December 1888. He was initially privately educated and later completed his studies from Mayo College, Ajmer, from 1889 to 1894. Later he received administrative training under the guidance of Thakur Saheb Lall Singhji from the year 1895 to 1898.

In 1898, Ganga Singh was sent to Deoli for military training and was also attached to the Deoli Regiment. It was considered as one of the finest Regiment in the country that was under the authority of Lieutenant Colonel Bell. Singh commanded the Bikaner Camel Corps during World War I and served in Palestine, Egypt and France.

Rule of Ganga Singh
General Sir Maharaja Ganga Singh General Sir Maharaja Ganga Singh, which was presided over by a Chief Judge and supported by to additional judges. In 1913, he also declared the establishment of a Representative Assembly. Later in 1922, he set up a High Court with a Chief Justice and two sub-judges by an edict. Ganga Singh-ji was the first prince in Rajputana to grant full charter of powers to a high court. The services of a saving bank were also made available for the general people and a Life Insurance and Endowment Assurance Scheme was incorporated for the betterment of the employees. The Maharaja of Bikaner later introduced the Sharda Act through a legislation which effectively stopped child marriages.

In 1918, he was given a personal gun salute of 19 guns and in the year 1921, a permanent local gun salute of 19 guns was granted to the prominent ruler. In 1902, he was the ADC to the Prince of Wales, as well as to George V in the year 1910. Ganga Singh became a member of the Central Recruiting Board of India in 1917 and represented the country at the Imperial War Conference in the same year, the Paris Peace Conference and the Imperial War Cabinet in 1919 and he was also appointed as the Chancellor of the Indian Chamber of Princes from1920 to 1926. In 1924, Singh represented India as a delegate at the 5th session of the League of Nations.

Ganga Singh, Maharaja of Bikaner His Highness General Sir Maharaja Ganga Singh served as patron of Sri Bharat Dharam Mahamandal and Benares Hindu University; and was a member of Indian Gymkhana Club and was the Vice President of Royal Colonial Institute and East India Association. He also became a member of the General Council of Mayo and Daly Colleges the Indian Society of Oriental Art, the Indian Army Temperance Association, the Bombay Natural History Society, the Indian Society London and he was the first Member of the Indian Red Cross Society.

Moreover Singh also built the Ganges Canal and motivated people to settle in the command area. He also faced the famine that occurred in 1899-1900 and successfully dealt with it. As a result, the Maharaja established an irrigation system as a permanent solution to the problem. Sir Ganga Singh also took efforts to develop the Sri Ganganagar city and its neighbouring area. He also built the Lalgarh Palace at Bikaner. Further more improved the state of railways and electricity network in the territory. The Maharaja of Bikaner introduced prison reforms and land reforms. He incorporated partial internal democracy like election to the municipalities and appointed a council of ministers for advice and support.

Sir Maharaja Ganga Singh inspired agriculturists and industrialists from other regions to commence new ventures in the princely state of Bikaner. In 1931, he constructed the existing temple above the Samadhi of Ramdev Pir at Ramdevra.

Personal Life of Ganga Singh
His Highness General Sir Maharaja Ganga Singh GCSI, GCIE, GCVO, GCStJ, GBE, KCB was married to Her Highness Maharani Vallabhkuver Sahiba of Pratapgarh in July 1897. Lter he was married to Her Highness Maharani Sri Bhatiyaniji Sahiba of Bikamkor. The royal couple had two daughters and four sons. Ganga Singh died at the age of 62 on 2 February 1943 in Bombay now Mumbai) after a rule of 56 years. He was succeeded by Sadul Singh, his son.

Titles of Ganga Singh
Ganga Singh held many titles and styles through out his reign, these are mentioned below-
* Maharaja Ganga Singh of Bikaner (1880- 1887)
* His Highness Maharajadhiraj Raj-Rajeshwar Narendra Shiromani Maharaja Shri Ganga Singh Bahadur, Maharaja of Bikaner (1887- 1898)
* 2nd Lieutenant His Highness Maharajadhiraj Raj-Rajeshwar Narendra Shiromani Maharaja Shri Ganga Singh Bahadur, Maharaja of Bikaner (1898- 1900)
* Major His Highness Maharajadhiraj Raj-Rajeshwar Narendra Shiromani Maharaja Shri Ganga Singh Bahadur, Maharaja of Bikaner, KIH (1900- 1901)
* Major His Highness Maharajadhiraj Raj-Rajeshwar Narendra Shiromani Maharaja Sir Ganga Singh Bahadur, Maharaja of Bikaner, KCIE, KIH (1901- 1904)
* Major His Highness Maharajadhiraj Raj-Rajeshwar Narendra Shiromani Maharaja Sir Ganga Singh Bahadur, Maharaja of Bikaner, KCSI, KCIE, KIH (1904- 1907)
* Major His Highness Maharajadhiraj Raj-Rajeshwar Narendra Shiromani Maharaja Sir Ganga Singh Bahadur, Maharaja of Bikaner, GCIE, KCSI, KIH (1907- 1909)
* Lieutenant-Colonel His Highness Maharajadhiraj Raj-Rajeshwar Narendra Shiromani Maharaja Sir Ganga Singh Bahadur, Maharaja of Bikaner, GCIE, KCSI, KIH (1909- 1910)
* Colonel His Highness Maharajadhiraj Raj-Rajeshwar Narendra Shiromani Maharaja Sir Ganga Singh Bahadur, Maharaja of Bikaner, GCIE, KCSI, KIH (1910- 1911)
* Colonel His Highness Maharajadhiraj Raj-Rajeshwar Narendra Shiromani Maharaja Sir Ganga Singh Bahadur, Maharaja of Bikaner, GCSI, GCIE, KIH (1911- 1917)
* Major-General His Highness Maharajadhiraj Raj-Rajeshwar Narendra Shiromani Maharaja Sir Ganga Singh Bahadur, Maharaja of Bikaner, GCSI, GCIE, KCB, KIH (1917- 1919)
* Major-General His Highness Maharajadhiraj Raj-Rajeshwar Narendra Shiromani Maharaja Sir Ganga Singh Bahadur, Maharaja of Bikaner, GCSI, GCIE, GCVO, KCB, KIH (1919- 1921)
* Major-General His Highness Maharajadhiraj Raj-Rajeshwar Narendra Shiromani Maharaja Sir Ganga Singh Bahadur, Maharaja of Bikaner, GCSI, GCIE, GCVO, GBE, KCB, KIH (1921- 1930)
* Lieutenant-General His Highness Maharajadhiraj Raj-Rajeshwar Narendra Shiromani Maharaja Sir Ganga Singh Bahadur, Maharaja of Bikaner, GCSI, GCIE, GCVO, GBE, KCB, KIH (1930- 1937)
* General His Highness Maharajadhiraj Raj-Rajeshwar Narendra Shiromani Maharaja Sir Ganga Singh Bahadur, Maharaja of Bikaner, GCSI, GCIE, GCVO, GBE, KCB, KIH (1937- 1943)

Honours of Ganga Singh
Maharaja Ganga Singh of Bikaner was honoured several times, such as-
* Kaiser-i-Hind, 1st Class- KIH (1900)
* Mentioned in Despatches (1901)
* China War Medal (1901)
* King Edward VII Coronation Medal (1902)
* Delhi Durbar Gold Medal (1903)
* Grand Cross of the Order of Philip the Magnanimous of Hesse (1903)
* Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire- GCIE (1907) and KCIE (1901)
* Honorary LL.D (1911)
* King George V Coronation Medal (1911)
* Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Star of India- GCSI (1911) and KCSI (1904)
* Star 1914
* Bailiff Grand Cross of the Order of St John- GCStJ (1914)
* Mentioned in Despatches (1914)
* Honorary LL.D- Edinburgh (1917)
* Mentioned in Despatches (1918)
* Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath- KCB (1918)
* British War Medal (1918)
* Victory Medal (1918)
* Grand Cordon of the Order of the Nile of Egypt (1918)
* Honorary DCL (1919)
* Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order- GCVO (1919)
* Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire- GBE; New Year Honours 1921
* Honorary LL.D- Benares Hindu University (1927)
* Honorary LL.D- Osmania University (1927)
* King George V Silver Jubilee Medal (1935)
* King George VI Coronation Medal (1937)
* Africa Star- 1942
* War Medal 1939 (1945)
* 1939- 1945 Star (1945)
* India Service Medal (1945)


Share this Article:

Subscribe to Newsletter
Learn unknown facts about India from a curated list of informative articles.

Related Articles

More Articles in History of India

History of Indian Drama
History of Indian Drama is rich with Vedas and Indian epics and has gradually changed with time and remains unaffected by any foreign influence.
History of Khajuraho Temple
Located in the Chhatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh, Khajuraho is country’s most magnificent groups of temples.
History of Ayurveda
History of Ayurveda dates back to 5,000 years old and is widely considered to be the oldest form of health care in the world.
History of Uttar Pradesh
The state was the heart of Mahabharata war and the history of Uttar Pradesh is very much the history of India. The place finds its mentions in Hindu epics Ramayana and Mahabharata.
History of Indian Photography
An overview of the development of photography, through the various stages in India.
History of Delhi
History of Delhi began with the advent of Indian regal dynasties. Delhi witnessed the rise and fall of Hindu dynasties, Muslims and the British as well.
History of Indian Radio
History of Indian Radio dates back to late 1930s with the first establishment of All India Radio in 1936 that improved further after independence.
History of Punjab
History of Punjab dates back to the 16th century; however its formation is traced in the great epic Mahabharata.
History Of Archaeology In India
History of archaeology in India contributes a lot to define the past history and the social life of India.
History of Maharashtra
Maharashtra, the land of charismatic Marathas, unfolds the legend of diverse culture and tradition, keeping in pace with the modernity. The gallant history of Maharashtra is still echoed amidst its historical relics and archeological wonders.
History of Kerala
History of Kerala can be interpreted from the inscriptions of Ashoka, Mauryan Emperor. History of Kerala is as interesting as its wide-ranging geographical features that make the land a place of versatile appeal.
History of Bihar
History of Bihar goes back to the very dawn of the human civilizations. Many eminent personalities and leaders from Bihar contributed for India’s freedom struggle.
History of Assam
In the ancient Indian epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata, Assam was known as `Kamarupa` or `Pragjyotish`. In the Mahabharata, the Puranas, the Tantras there are references of Assam as Kamrupa kingdom.
History of Andaman and Nicobar Islands
History of Andaman and Nicobar Islands dates back to the settlement of the East India Company in the territory of the Islands.
History of West Bengal
History of West Bengal is rooted in richness and is an important episode in the history of India. The history of Bengal played an important role in shaping the history of India.
History of Jharkhand
One of the fairly newer states, Jharkhand was carved out of the southern portion of Bihar in 2000. The history of Jharkhand is seeped with a variety of cultural significances starting from the Vedic era to Mughal period and finally the British administration.
History of Sikkim
History of Sikkim declares the pre historic culture and the colonial era hilly politics and the rules of Sikkim.
History of Nagaland
The history of Nagaland mainly revolves around and deals with the customs and economic activities of the Naga Tribes and how the state has evolved since the Indian Independence.
History of Mizoram
History of Mizoram includes the various historical events and incidents which occurred during the various ages, right from before the age of the Mughals.
History of Jammu & Kashmir
History of Jammu and Kashmir involves a series of political and geographical transformations from every ancient era to the modern times also. Even now, Jammu and Kashmir has its political tension between Pakistan and India.
History of Puducherry
Puducherry was invaded by different invaders in different times. The invaders include Pallava Kingdom of Kanchipuram, dynasties of the South, Cholas of Thanjavur, Pandyas and Muslim invaders.
History of Chandigarh
In 1947, the British India was partitioned into India and Pakistan. Punjab was also included in this partition. So, there was a need for a new capital for Punjab, as the old capital Lahore became part of Pakistan during the partition. So, in 1948, under the leadership of chief architect Mr. P.L. Verma the construction of Chandigarh city began.
History of Daman and Diu
During the early stage, i.e. from 8th to 13th century, Daman and Diu was part of Goa.
History of Lakshadweep
History of Lakshadweep defines the first settlement on these islands under the Union Territory of India that was ruled by Cheraman Perumal, who was the last king of Kerala.
History of Karnataka
History of Karnataka comprised of the different rulers of different dynasties of various religions like Hindus, Buddhists, and later the Muslims.
History of Goa
History of Goa dates back to the 3rd century BC and reflects the rule of the mighty rulers and gained its independence under Jawaharlal Nehru.
History of Arunachal Pradesh
Arunachal Pradesh possesses a rich historical heritage of culture of the ancient tribes. Being a bordering state of India, Arunachal Pradesh also has a history of military unrest since ancient Indian age.
History of Andhra Pradesh
History of Andhra Pradesh traces its origin back to the 5th century BC. According to the inscriptions, Kuberaka, the oldest Kingdom in South India had an empire in the coastal Andhra during that period.
History of Himachal Pradesh
History of Himachal Pradesh narrates about the various settlements and dynasties that emerged in the region over time.
History of Uttarakhand
History of Uttarakhand finds mention in the early Hindu scriptures as Kedarkhand, Manaskhand and Himavat. Uttarakhand is called as the Land of the Gods (Dev Bhoomi) because of its various holy places and shrines.
History of Rajasthan
The history of Rajasthan is dotted with tales of valor, chivalry, camaraderie and romance.
History of Tamil Nadu
History of Tamil Nadu reveals that this ancient place in South India was ruled by various kingdoms like the Pandyas Dynasty, Cholas Dynasty, Nayakas Dynasty and Pallavas Dynasty.
History of Haryana
History of Haryana depicts various events and influences that have cast a profound effect on the culture and people of the district. The place gained statehood on 1st of November 1966
History of Odisha
History of Odisha goes back a rather long way. Most of the history of the state is replete with the dynastic as well as tribal struggle for territorial superiority. Odisha is a place where one can find the religion, culture and history flow in away that lead to cultural amalgamation of early India.
History of Manipur
History of Manipur can be traced back to the prehistoric ages and this was followed by a number of rulers who reigned the land from age to age till it came under British rule and later joined the union of India.
History of Gujarat
History of Gujarat can be dated back to the 14th century that later witnessed the supremacy of many powerful dynasties.
History of Tripura
History of Tripura is dealing with the early mythological history and the history of British rule in North eastern part of India.
History of Meghalaya
The history of Meghalaya predominantly comprises of the three tribes of the state- Garo, Khasi and Jaintia tribes. Later on Meghalaya was formed by carving out two districts from the state of Assam.
History of Chhattisgarh
History of Chhattisgarh dates back to the era of epics and traces through the reign of powerful dynasties in India like Marathas. The area developed a rich cultural heritage during British era.