Sri Sadul Museum

Over several generations of the Bikaner Royal Family a vast amount of materials has been amassed consisting of many old Bahis and Kharitas, Records maintained by hand in the olden days, thousands of files from the period of Maharaja Ganga Singhji and Sri Sadul Singhji, a great number of library books also from this period and a rich collection of photographs some dating to the period of Maharaja Dungar Singhji.

Bikaner has always been a very progressive State and thus all the written and pictorial material was in fact. Maharaja Dr. Karni Singhji found that he has inherited all of the above and much more in the shape of beautiful Miniature Paintings, Ornaments, Medals and Trophies and many other Historical Artifacts. As a man dedicated to history and committed to looking after the legacy of his ancestors he wanted to vest all these articles in one museum.

The purpose would be to maintain the records for serious research scholars and also to let the general public see these magnificent artifacts.

It was during the early seventies that Maharaja Dr. Karni Singhji asked his elder daughter Rajyashree Kumari to assist him in this venture. It was the beginning of an adventure that went on for many years as slowly one store room after another was inspected and dusty corners explored and the treasure hunt went on in many properties and over a great period of time. The end result was that a large collection of artifacts was collected and it was large collection of artifacts was collected and it was then decided to house them in the Sadul Niwas wing of Lallgarh Palace. Maharaja Dr. Karni Singhji dedicated the museum to the memory of his father and thus Sri Sadul museum came into being in 1976.

It has long been considered that Bikaner had the largest collection of old photographs some of which were used by Naveen Patnaik in his book "The Desert Kingdom" which was very popular. The museum houses a vast array of old photographs albums and Miniature Paintings, Pieces of Armor and Exquisite Textiles, Citations, Medals and Trophies belonging to Maharaja Ganga Singhji and a comprehensive collection of photographs depicting the Target Shooting Careers of Maharaja Dr. Karni Singhji and his daughter Princess Rajyashree Kumariji. Both father daughter were awarded the Arjun Award, which are now on display in the Museum.

The museum was created to encourage and assist research scholars and access is readily given to all those who apply to the Museum. The museum also cossmissions books from time to time from the material that it contains. Restoration and conservation of old books and material is another aspect the museum is very concerned with.The Museum is in the constant process of upgrading itself as it strives to modernize its display. It hopes in time to have a small cinema in the many historic events that look place in the past such as the opening of the Gang Canal in 1927 and the Golden Jubilee of Maharaja Ganga Singhji in 1937 can e viewed by a modern audience. The trust has introduced a small bookshop in which post card and books can be purchased. The museum encourages visits from school and colleges and grants discount on the ticket fee.