New Britain herald., 1917-02-10
RULER OF BIkANER
 YANKEE OF INDIA
Maharajah Believes in Progress
 siVe and Up-to-Date Ideas

B1kaner, Rajputana, India, Feb. 10-- No more marked evidence of the spir- 1t of progress which is sweeping In- die oan be found than in some of the states that are ruled by the Indian pr1Does under the protection of the British government. One of the most pronounced examples of advancement 1s Bdkaner, which ranks among the highest of tho moro than 700 Indian states, and whose ruler, tho Mahara- 3ah or Bikaner, a descendant of the famous fighting race of Rathore Raj puts, Is held to be one of the most cultured, broad-minded and prosres- sive princes of the Indian empire. It has been the privilege of a correspond ent of tho Associated Press to- spend some tune in Bikaner and to talk on numerous occasions with the Mahara- jah concerning the policy which has revolutionized affairs throughout this state.
 The Maharajah belongs to the new order of Indian rulers who have been schooled in the learning of the west ana 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 eight cen years ago-he was then eighteen he Immediately set about to put into practice the advanced ideas which he had acquired and today railways, mod ern schools, an up-to date hospital, model prison. electric lighting, sani- tary improvements, water supply sys- tems. and beautiful public buildings furnish visible demonstrations 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 nearly trebled.
 Knight From Arabian Nights.
 In personal appearance, in bearing and in accomplishments His Highness 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-shouldered, handsome, ever affable, yet main- taining a dignity which brooks no over-familiarity, of magnetic person ality, a born soldier, an excellent horseman, a sure shot and keen sportsman, as the trophies of big game in his palace show, an indefatig- able worker in affairs of state-such is the Maharajah of Bikaner at the age of thirty-six. .
 One of the most striking innova- tions which the Maharajah has made in his state has been the establish mcnt of the representative assembly through which his people have a voice in the government It was voluntary concession on his part.
 "I came to the conclusion" he said, "that the greatness of ruler lies in the greatness of his people. When I announced that I intended to establish the assembly some of my friends begged me not to take such a step. Tt is giving away your pow CT they declared
 The Maharajah '-ol 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 af- ternoon and I think you will get a better answer than I can give you ver- bally,'' he replied.
 The invitation was accepted and the correspondent accompanied the Nah arajah and his two young princes to the great Hindu temple where the ruler and his sons performed thelr devotions. During the morning the streets had been specially Watered to fav 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 crowGs gathered beside the road and nearly every window was filled with eager faces. Even the roofs were covered wit}0 those Who hopeo to get better view.
 Honored by Populace.
 It is not an unusual thing for the Maharajah to make trip through the capital, but there were the throngs just the same. as keen to get 2 glimpse as though he were a for e,pn nrince. And as the carriage ad- vanced the people broke into such cheering as the correspondent had seldom heard before Even tiny children took up the cry of, "Khama,' ' sanitation of respect and devotion, nec,,liar to these parts and used only for the ruler, and the volume swelled ,nti1 if 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 I ask no better answer than we have just been | given.''
 The Maharajah is rapidly turning i his capital into a model city. Bikaner l now has one of the largest and best 1 electric light installations in India,