Chapter 1

Origin of the State of Bikaner—Bika, the founder—Condition
of the aboriginal Jats or Getes—The number and extensive
diffusion of this Scythic race, still a majority of the
peasantry in Western Rajputana, and perhaps in Northern
India—Their pursuits pastoral, their government
patriarchal, their religion of a mixed kind—List of the
Jat cantons of Bikaner at the irruption of Bika—Causes of
the success of Bika—Voluntary surrender of the supremacy
of the Jat elders to Bika—Conditions—Characteristic of the
Getic people throughout India—Proofs—Invasion of the
Johyas by Bika and his Jat subjects—Account of the
Johyas—Conquered by Bika—He wrests Bagor from the Bhattis,
and founds Bikaner, the capital, A.D. 1489—His uncle
Kandhal makes conquests to the north—Death of Bika—His son
Nunkaran succeeds—Makes conquests from the Bhattis—His son
Jeth succeeds—Enlarges the power of Bikaner—Rae Singh
succeeds—The Jats of Bikaner lose their liberties—The
State rises to importance—Rae Singh’s connexion with
Akbar—His honours and power—The Johyas revolt and are
exterminated—Traditions of Alexander the Great amongst the
ruins of the Johyas—Examined—The Punia Jats vanquished by
Ram Singh the Raja’s brother—Their subjection
imperfect—Rae Singh’s daughter weds Prince Salim,
afterwards Jahangir—Rae Singh succeeded by his son
Karan—The three eldest sons of Karan fall in the imperial
service—Anup Singh, the youngest, succeeds—Quells a
rebellion in Kabul—His death uncertain—Sarup Singh
succeeds—He is killed—Shujawan Singh, Zorawar Singh, Gaj
Singh, and Raj Singh succeed—The latter poisoned by his
brother by another mother, who usurps the throne, though
opposed by the chiefs—He murders the rightful heir, his
nephew—Civil war—Muster-roll of the chiefs—The usurper
attacks Jodhpur—Present state of Bikaner—Account of
Bidavati 1123

CHAPTER 2

Actual condition and capabilities of Bikaner—Causes of its
deterioration—Extent—Population—Jats—Sarasvati
Brahmans—Charans—Malis and Nais—Chuhras and
Thoris—Rajputs—Face of the country—Grain and vegetable
productions—Implements of husbandry—Water—Salt lakes—Local
physiography—Mineral productions—Unctuous clay—Animal
productions—Commerce and manufactures—Fairs—Government and
revenues—The fisc—Dhuan, or hearth-tax—Anga, or
capitation-tax—Sair, or imposts—Paseti, or
plough-tax—Malba, or ancient land-tax—Extraordinary and
irregular resources—Feudal levies—Household troops 1145

CHAPTER 3

Bhatner, its origin and denomination—Historical celebrity of
the Jats of Bhatner—Emigration of Bersi—Succeeded by
Bhairon—Embraces Islamism—Rao Dalich—Husain Khan, Husain
Mahmud, Imam Mahmud, and Bahadur Khan—Zabita Khan, the
present ruler—Condition of the country—Changes in its
physical aspect—Ruins of ancient buildings—Promising scene
for archaeological inquiries—Zoological and botanical
curiosities—List of the ancient towns—Relics of the
arrow-head character found in the desert 1163

BOOK VII

ANNALS OF JAISALMER