The elephant of the Bikaner in the Main Procession, in front of the Jumma Masjid
The elephant of Bikaner was one of the first 48 main elephants that went in the Main Procession. It was 5th in order, on the right column. Bikaner District, is a district of the state of Rajasthan in western India. The historic city of Bikaner is the district headquarters.
Set 361 - Elephant of the Maharaja of Bikaner
General Maharaja Sir Ganga Singh, from Bikaner
His Highness General Maharaja Sir Ganga Singh, GCSI, GCIE, GCVO, GCStJ, GBE, KCB (October 3, 1880, Bikaner–2 February 1943, Bombay), was the ruling Maharaja of the princely state of Bikaner (in present-day Rajasthan, India) from 1888 to 1943. He is widely remembered as a modern reformist visionary, and he was also the only 'non-White' member of the British Imperial War Cabinet during World War I.
362 - Escort Group from Bikaner,
Group right, Delhi Durbar, 1903
362 and 361- Escort Group and Elephant of Bikaner, Group right, Delhi Durbar, 1903
364 - Music Band from Bikaner, Delhi Durbar, 1903
Set 174 - Camel Riders from Bikaner
I've been wanting to make this elephant for a long time now. Bikaner was a very important state and the elephant of the state was among the first group of elephants at the Main Procession, right column, between Bundi and Kotah and beside Rewah, near the head of the columns. I had been holding its making and release mainly because I didn't know how to solve the particular howda, without walls, with a simple and hollow front panel and with such beautiful peacocks on each side of the Maharaja.
Finally the solution came to me and I went for it. I think it's our best made howda in terms of sculpting techniques and assembalnce. And the whole piece turned out beautiful. I'm very very proud of it.
The Bikaner elephant during the Main Procession,
passing in front of the Town Hall,
363 - Escort Group from Bikaner,
Group left, Delhi Durbar, 1903
363 and 361- Escort Group and Elephant of Bikaner, Group left, Delhi Durbar, 1903
The Bikaner Group, Delhi Durbar, 1903
