Sardar K.M. Pannikar said that Bikaner Maharaja Ganga Singh was prince among princes. He had a deep insight in the affairs of the State craft. He could read the writing on the w all and could foresee changes likely to take place in future.[1]
Maharaja Ganga Singh was one of the leading princes in Rajputana who expressed an opinion representing others also. He once said “It is better that the British Govt. both in England and here take note of the feeling among the princes and the people’s of the States that some change is absolutely essential and it is most welcome as early as possible.”[2]
Maharaja Ganga Singh giving an interview to Mr. Wickham Steed, Editor of Review of reviews pointed out that it will no large true to regard the Indian state as so many islands of autocracy in the sea of growing constitutionalism of British India.[3]
With reference to future of Indian states the Maharaja once said, “The problem of the Indian states, some of which were immediately urgent required a thorough examination with a close analysis of the existing machinery affecting their relations with the crown to see if they met the changed circumstances……. He further said, “The strongest force in India to day was an irritable impulse towards responsible Govt. and full national status. No system of Govt. however efficient could be durable which did not take continuous account of that.[4]
Maharaja of Bikaner also introduced a resolution in Feb., 1928, regarding the appointment of the Indian States Committee and internal reforms in Indian States, of the session of the chamber of princes.”[5]
Maharaja Ganga Singh on 16thAugust, 1926 inaugurating the conference of Ministers held in Bikaner said, “Very difficult times unmistakably lie ahead of us. There is no use blinking at the fact that the trend of certain schools of Political thought (in British India) is not in our favour. Times are changing and the princes and States to have to adapt themselves to modern environments.[6]
Maharaja Ganga Singh to Achieve new hights in administrative efficiency, also Adumbrated seven principles for state administration.[7]
It would therefore be correct to call Maharaja Ganga Singh as a pioneer in administrative as well as Constitutional Reforms in the States of Rajputana.
REFERENCES
[1] Y. S. Mehta, Maharaja Ganga Singh Of Bikaner And His Approach To Reforms, Proceedings of Rajasthan History Congress, 1967, pp. 199-200.
[2] United India and Indian States Saturday Jan. 3, 1925.
[3] Maharaja of Bikaners interview to Wickham Steed, Editor of the Review’s of Reviews.
[4] The times of India 14-11-1924.
[5] File No. 201, R of 1928 Bikaner State.
[6] File No. 201 R. of 1928 Bikaner State.
[7] File No. 201 R. of 1928 Bikaner State.
