Sikar is as much part of Shekhawati as Jhunjhunu. It was the biggest Thikana (Estate) of the Jaipur State ruled by Shekhawats. Sikar was the capital town of the Thikana Sikar. It is surrounded by the high walls consisting of seven “Pols”(gates). The primitive name of Sikar was ‘Beer Bhan Ka Bass’. Raja Bahadur Singh Shekhawat, the Raja of Khandela gifted the village Beao Nahar Singh & Rao Chand Singh, Rao Devi Singh ascended the throne of Sikar after Chand Singh. He was a great warrior and ruled over Sikar very efficiently.
Devi Singh’s son Rao Raja Laxman Singh was also a great warrior. He built the Laxmangarh Fort on the hill in 1862 and a town which sprang up at the foot hills in called Laxmangarh after his name in 1864 AD. Maharaja Sawai Jagat Singh Saheb Bahadur (II), the king of Jaipur was much pleased with him, as a result the title of ‘Rao Raja’ was conferred upon him by the king. His period is known for the love of art, learning, religion and culture. He was very philanthropic, the Sikar state was very prosperous in his period. The seth’s & the rich people got the magnificent buildings built & the painting on them are worth seeing.
Rao Raja Ram Pratap Singh who ascended the throne after Laxman Singh got the marble palace made .The golden painting on its walls is very attractive. The successive rulers of Sikar such as Rao Raja Bhairon Singh, Rao Raja Sir Madhav Singh Bahadur (1866/1922), he was granted the title of Bahadur in 1886 and Madhav Singh enjoys the credit of making huge Victoria Diamonds Jublee Hall & Madhav Niwas Kothi which are the excellent examples of his love for architecture and paintings. He was always anxious for the welfare of the public. During the terrible famine in 1899 (Samvat 1956), he started many famine relief works for the poor and hungry people. It is evident from ‘Madhav Sagar Pond’ which was built in 1899. This pond was made at the cost of Rs.56000/- it clearly speaks the fame
