The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-02-09
MAHARAJAH OF
 bIkANER RULES BY DEMOCRACY
Enlightened Indian Prince $ Methods Have Resulted
 In Great Progress.

In Great Progress.
 Bikaner, Rajputana, India, Feb. 3. No more marked evidence of the spirit of progress which is sweeping India can be found than in some of the states that are ruled by the h. dian Princes under the protection of the British government. One of the most pronounced examples off ad- vancement is Bikaner, which ranks among the highest of the more than 700 Indian States, and whose ruler, the Maharajah of Bikaner, a descend ant of the famous fighting race of Rathore Rajute. is held to be one of the most cultured, bfoad -minded and progressive Princes -of the Indian 1 Empire. 1t has been the privilege of a Correspondent < of the Associated Press to spend some time in Bikaner and to talk on numerous occasions with the Maharajah concerning the policy which has revolutiOnized af- fairs throughout thisf state.
 The Maharajah belongs to the new order of Indian rulers who have been schooled in the learning of the West and who have accepted the tenet that the stability of government depends upon the enlightenment, prosperity and happiness of it's people. When he took over the control of Bikaner 18syears ago-11e was then 18-he im- mediately set about to put into prac- tice the advanced ideas which he had acquired and to-day railways, modern schools, an up-to-date hospital, model prison, electric lighting, sani- tary improvements, water supply sys- tems, and beautiful public buildings furnish visible demonstrationso of pro- gress, while he has established a Rep- resentative Assembly and put his ad- ministration on a business basis that has resulted in the state income being'l nearly treb1ed.
 In personal appearance, in bearing and in accomplishments, His Figh- ness impresses one as having just stepped out of an Arabian Nights tale in which he has played the part of the gallant prince, so typical is he of what one has been led to expect in story of that sort. Tall, broad -shoul- dered, handsome, ever affable, yet maintaining dignity which brooks no over-familiarity of magnetic per- sonality. a born soldier. an excellent horseman, a sure shot and, keen sportsman, as the trophies of big game in his Palace show, an inde- xfatigable worker in affairs of state such is the Maharajah of Bikaner at the age of 36.
 One of the most striking innova- tions which the Maharajah has made ins his state has been the establish nlent of the representative assembly through which his people have d voice in the government. It was a voluntary concession on his part.
 'I came to the conclusion" he sa.d, s'that tho greatness of a ruler lies in the greatness of hia people. When I announced that T. intended to estab- . fish the Assembly some of my friends begged me not to take such a step. Ttsis sivinE away your power they declared.. Q .s5aSss.s
 The Maharajah was asked if both he and the, people were satisfied that the change had been beneficial.
 Come and ride with me and my , sons to the temple in the city this afternoon and I think you will get a better answer than I can give you ver- bally," he replied.
 l. The invitation was accepted and the correspondent accompanied the Ma harajah and his two young Princes to the great Hindu Temple where the ruler and his sons performed their de- votions. During the morning the streets had been specially watered to lay the dust and this had given the people warning that some member of the reigning family was to pass. As the carriage with it's mounted guard proceeded through the winding ways dense crowds gathered beside the road and nearly every window was filled with eager faces. Even the roofs. }. were covered with those who hoped to get a better view.
 It Is not an unusual thing for the Maharajah to make trip through the capital, but there were the throngs just sthe same, as keen to get a aglmpsef as though he were a, for eign Prince. And as the carriage ad- vanced the people broke into such cheering as the correspondent had sell dom heard before. Even tiny chi1- dren took up the cry of "Khama," a salutation of respect and devotion. peculiar to these parts and used only for the ruler. and the volume swell ed until it became almost deafening. More than one of the. aged people gave the Maharajah their blessings and invoked any troubles which he might have to come upon themselves All the way this wonderful demon stration was kept up. His Highness smiling and saluting to right and left. When a point finally was reached where he could make himself heard he leaned forward and said:
 Does it pay to do the best one can for his people? For myself ask no better answer than we have just been giveh.'' "
 The Maharajah is rapidly turning his capital into a model city, Bikaner now has one of the largest and best electric light installati ons in India, be- ing among the first of the Indian cifies to adopt this mode of lighting. The telephone, too, has been brought into use to connect all the important government officers and residences. Sanitation is a hobby of His Highness and the entire city has been cleaned up, buildings being torn down and re- placed where necessary. The streets have been widened in many places and just now a modern water supply system is being installed
 The Maharajah has a keen sense of appreciation of the beautiful and has erected g large number of magnifi- cent buildings of Oriental design but with Western interiors, most of