Sikar is as much part of Shekhawati as Jhunjhunu. It was the biggest Thikana (Estate) of the Jaipur State earlier it was known as Nehrawati. 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’.
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 of his ruler. It was in the times of Madhav Singh that Sikar saw the first light of electricity. The roads were also constructed in his time. The old monuments, forts, palaces, boundary walls and temples were repaired in his time. He was very strong and courageous. He had very cordial relations with the British Government. The survey of Railway from Jaipur to Sikar was accomplished in his period. After Madhav Singh the throne of Sikar was ascended by Kalyan Singh.
Rao Raja Kalyan Singh was the last ruler of Sikar (1922/1967). Kalyan Singh had been famous for their love of magnanimous building, palaces, temples and ponds He had ruled over Sikar for 32 years. He built clock tower, which adds beauty to the town. For the welfare of public he got the Kalyan Hospital & Kalyan College built. He died in 1967. To commemorate the sweet memory of his late son Kunwar Hardayal Singh.
Sikar is a very fascinating and charming place for the tourist. The fresco Painting on the ancient havelies, temples and forts captivate the tourist from abroad.
Sikar was the kingdom of royal Shekhawat rajas. Today also many royal Shekhawat family reside in Sikar. One of the great shekhawat is Mr Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, former Vice President of India also belongs to (Khachriyawas) Sikar. Three most prominent business homes of the country viz. the Bajajs, the Birlas and the Goenkas also belong to the district. Most of the Marwari businessmen community residing in Assam, W.Bengal, Surat, Bengaluru and Hyderabad also belong to Sikar.
Geography
Sikar is the district headquarter of Rajasthan's Sikar district which is situated in the eastern part of Rajasthan. It is located at27.62°N 75.15°E.[1] It has an average elevation of 427 metres (1401 feet).
Climate
Sikar has a hot semi-arid climate (Köppen climate classification BSh) climate, rains occur in the monsoon months between June and September. Temperatures remain relatively high throughout the year, with the summer months of April to July having average daily temperatures of around30 °C (86 °F). The maximum temperatures during the months of May & June can reach close to 50 °C (122 °F) with little to no humidity. During the monsoon there are frequent, heavy rains and thunderstorms, but flooding is not common. The winter months of November to February are mild and pleasant, with average temperatures ranging from 15–18 °C (59–64 °F) and with little or no humidity. There are however occasional cold fronts that lead to temperatures near freezing.
Sikar city has a population of about 237,579 people according to the census of 2011. As per provisional reports of Census India, population of Sikar in 2011 is 237579; of which male and female are 123156 and 114423 respectively. The sex ratio of Sikar city is 929 per 1000 males. In education section, total literates in Sikar city are 158413 of which 91403 are males while 67010 are females. Average literacy rate of Sikar city is 77.13 percent of which male and female literacy was 86.29 and 67.37 percent respectively. Total children age group (0-6) in Sikar city are 32189 as per figure from Census India report on 2011. There were 17236 boys while 14953 are girls. Child sex ratio of girls is 868 per 1000 boys.