The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-02-06
IS
WAKINGUP
(Ry Associated Pressl

| states tnaI are ruled by the indian
princes under the protection Of the
pronounced examples of advancement
Is Bikaner, which ranks among the
| highest Of the more than 700 Indian
states, and whose ruler, the Mahara-
Jah of Bikaner, a descendant of the
| famous fighting race of Rathore Raj
puts, is held to be one of the most
cultured, broad-minded and progress
sive princes Of the Indian empire. 1t
has been the privilege Of a CORE
| spondent 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 affairs
| throughout this 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 its people. When he
took over the control of Bikaner
eighteen years ago-he was then
eighteen-he Immediately set about
to put into practice the advanced
ideas which he had acquired and to-
day railways. modern schools, an up
to-date hospital, a model prison, ell
ectric lighting, sanitary improvements,
water supply systems, and beautiful
public buildings furnish visible dem
onstrations Of progress, while he has
established a representative assembly
and put his administration on q bust
ness basis that has resulted in the
state incoming being nearly trebled.
In personal appearance, in bearing,
and in accomplishments his highness
improsses one as having just stepped
out Of an Arabian Nights tale in
WTYH1f AA A1H ale
gallant prince, so typical is he Of what
one has been led to expect in a story
Of that sort. Tall, broad -shouldered,
handsome. ever affable, yet maintain
ing dignity which brooks no over
familiarity. of magnetic personality,
born soldier, an excellent horseman,
a sure shot and keen sportsman, as
the trophies of big game in his palace
SHOW, an interchangeable worker in at
fairs Of state-such is the Maharajah
of Bikaner at the age of thirty-six,
One Of the most striking innovaA
tons which the Maharajah has made
In his state has been the establish
ment of the representative assembly
through which his people have q voice
in the government. It was a volun-
tary concession on his part.
II came to the conclusion" he said
that the greatness Of a 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.
1t Is giving away your power they
declared. II.
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 af-
ternoon and I think you will get a
better answer than can give you
verbally" he replied.
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 dHst and this had given the
people warning that some member Of
the reigning family was to pass. AS the
carriage with its mounted guard pro-
ceeded 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 the same. as keen to get a glimpse
as though he were a foreign prince.
And as the carriage advanced the peo-
pie broke into such cheering as the
correspondent had seldom heard before. |
Even tiny children took UP the cry of
'Khama", salutation of respect and
devotion. peculiar to these parts and
used only for the ruler, and the volume
swelled until 1t became almost deafen- |
ing. More than one of the aged people
invoked any troubles which he might
have to come upon themselves. All the |
way this wonderful demonstration was
kept up. His highness smiled and
finally was reached where he could |
make himself heard, he leaned forward
and said:
better answer than we have just been |
given"
The Maharajah is rapidly turning his |
capital into a model city. Bikaner now
has one of the largest and best electric |
light installations in India, being |
among the first of the Indian cities to |
accept this mode of lighting. The tele- |
to connect all the important govern
ment officers and residences. Santa |
ton is a hobby of his highness and the |
ings being torn down and replaced |
where necessary. The streets have been |
widened in many places and just now a |
modern water supply system is being |
The Maharajah has a keen sense of |
appreciation of the beautiful and has |
erected large number of magnificent |
buildings, of oriental design, but with |
western interiors, most of which are |
for the use of the public or the govern |
ment. The plans for all these struc- /
lures have been personally supervised |
by him.
The ruler no longer lives in the AMI
cient, fort-encircled palace of his an
cestors but has built palace further /
away from the ctty-a fairy land with |
Its beautiful gardens. And at the same /
time, while placing himself in more |
modern surroundings he laid out a /
great public garden for his people OPP
posite the old palace. Even zoo has |
been placed in this park for the amuse- |,
ment of the little folk of Bikaner, and |
facilities for bathing are provided in q /
large artificial lake.
His highnesS is particularly interest
ed in the education of his subjects and l
while he has not yet inaugurated COM
pulsory education he has by persuasion
worked wonders in getting the people i
to send their children to school. In the Il
capital two colleges have been built, /
one for the public and the other for the
sons of mobiles. The public college has
something like 1000 pupils who are be-
ing taught both in English and their Il
own language, literature, history and /
the sciences not being neglected: The
mobiles college, while smaller, has q
large number of students.
Outside the capital the Maharajah
has also been at work and has increas-
ed the mileage of railways in his state /
from eighty-six to 49S miles. Two new
lines, one 1872 miles long, and the other |
a more direct connection between Del
hi and Sind via BilSaner, some 500 miles /
in length, are in project, and a great /
irrigation plan which will turn the Il
-