His day began with the application of ointment in sacred oil and a purificatory bath in saffron water.

[1] He then worshipped Ganesh, followed by prayers to various gods, goddesses, and family deities at Har Mandir in Junagarh.

obeisance or formal salutation), by joining both hands, bending slightly, and bowing three times from a distance.

Mirror of the Country), a historical account of Bikaner’s rulers, he bowed and paid homage 21 times in between.

[1] After all the ceremonies were completed, the members of the royal family, chiefs and nobles, ministers, officers, and dignitaries who had assembled presented their nazars (transl.

[1] Following this, he walked to the Khas-Deodhi of Junagarh and conducted the worship of the Ganesh image fixed over that gate.

[1] Once all the rituals associated with the coronation were concluded, he participated in a feast alongside the chiefs and nobles, during which sweetened wheat porridge, mung beans, and rice cooked with ghee were served.

[2] Accordingly, Ram Singh II assigned the Raja of Khandela to settle the dispute.

[1][12] G. St. P. Lawrence, in his official dispatch to the Government of India, described his services as follows:[11]Sardar Singh, Maharaja of Bikaner, has from the commencement of the outbreak actively exhibited the most loyal friendship and devotion to the British Government, and warmly co-operated with us in the field.

The Government of India is already well acquainted with the Raja’s services in rescuing, affording refuge to, and supplying the wants of, several europeans.

The excellent conduct of the Maharaja, who at the head of his troops proceeded to his own frontier, there prepared to join us where and whenever required, presented a most notable example, not only to his own dependants, but to the princes of Rajputana, and displayed a spirit and energy not elsewhere met with.

I consider the Maharaja is deserving of the highest scale of reward which the Government may be pleased to sanction to the most meritorious of Rajput states.On 21 December 1860, the then Agent to the Governor-General in Rajputana wrote a letter to the Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department, which mentioned the services of Sardar Singh in the following words:[11][13] His Highness, who at the commencement of the outbreak at once proceeded to his extreme border to assist us, and by his courage and the example of his loyalty checked disaffection and gave confidence to the wavering.

No Prince gave the like aid in searching out and rescuing fugitives, though all gave their hospitable shelter and support, and no other Prince exhibited such purely disinterested motives in giving us his active assistance; and none but the Bikaner Raja suffered so heavy a loss of Rajput kindred and chiefs whilst fighting purely in our cause.

It was for these reasons that i considered, and still consider, the loyalty and good services of the Bikaner Raja superior to those of any other chief in Rajputana, including Jaipur.Queen Victoria, upon learning of his services, sent a kharita through Charles Wood, the Secretary of State for India, which was presented to him in a durbar.

[8][11] It mentioned: It is in such times that the true quality of friendship is best tested; and it will ever be among the most cherished recollections of Her Majesty that Your Highness and other princely representatives of the ancient houses of Rajpootana were, during the eventful years which have just passed, among the most steadfast of her friends.Before his reign, Bikaner's copper coins were poorly made and varied in weight.

[14][15] The new coinage bore the inscription: Aurang árái Hind wa Inglistán Queen Victoria (transl.

[16] He added the Ratan Niwas, the Moti Mahal, and the top storeys of the zenana to the Junagarh Fort.

[1][17] He left behind no legitimate issue, nor any declaration regarding the adoption of a successor to him, but a morganatic son who, per traditions, could not succeed him.

[17][11] In such cases of intestacy, per Rajput traditions, an heir is adopted from the collateral branches nearest to the deceased, and this is what was followed.

[11] However, in accordance with traditions and customs, the choice of successor remained with his eldest wife, Bhatianjiji, and she chose Dungar Singh.

[17] When Burton, who was at the time dispensing his duties as the Assistant to the Agent to the Governor-General in Rajputana, got to know of what was happening in Bikaner, he came here on 22 May 1872 to look into the matter and ultimately decided in favour of Bhatianjiji.