Katar - Badi

Origin and Lineage

The Thikana of Katar (Badi) is an ancient and esteemed feudal estate located within the historical territory of the Bikaner State. The ruling family of Katar Badi belongs to the Narnot clan of the Bika Rathores. The lineage of this house traces directly back to Rajkumar Bairisi of Tehandesar, who was the son of Rao Lunkaran of Bikaner (who ruled from 1505 to 1526 AD). Rao Lunkaran was the second ruler of Bikaner and the son of Rao Bika, the founder of the Bikaner state. Through this lineage, the rulers of Katar Badi claim a direct and illustrious descent from the founding patriarchs of the Rathore dynasty in northern Rajasthan.

Establishment and Royal Patronage

The estate of Katar (Badi) was formally granted as a Thikana to Thakur Saheb Gorakhdanji by Maharaja Karan Singhji of Bikaner, who reigned from 1631 to 1669 AD. Maharaja Karan Singh, highly regarded for his military campaigns in the Deccan under the Mughal Empire, recognized the loyalty and military capabilities of the Narnot Rathores by bestowing this strategic fiefdom upon Gorakhdanji. This grant consolidated the family's influence in the region, placing them among the prominent nobles of the Bikaner court.

The Honor of Tazim

In the feudal hierarchy of the Rajput states, the honor of Tazim was a highly coveted distinction. It was a formal court protocol where the Maharaja would stand up to receive or dismiss a noble, signifying high trust, respect, and noble status. This prestigious Tazim was conferred upon Thakur Saheb Sadul Singhji of Katar in 1668 AD during the reign of Maharaja Karan Singhji. This elevation in court rank solidified Katar Badi's position as a premier Thikana, granting its rulers a seat of honor in the royal court (Darbar) of Bikaner.

British Period and Feudal Administration

During the 19^th and early 20^th centuries, when the Bikaner State entered into a subsidiary alliance with the British East India Company under the Treaty of 1818, the internal autonomy of the Thikanas was largely preserved. The Thakurs of Katar Badi continued to administer their territory, overseeing local governance, agricultural revenue collection, and maintaining law and order. They played an active role in the socio-economic life of the region, patronizing local temples, community wells, and regional infrastructure under the broader administrative reforms initiated by the Bikaner State.

Post-Independence and Modern Era

Following India's independence in 1947, the princely state of Bikaner merged into the United State of Greater Rajasthan in 1949, which eventually became the modern state of Rajasthan. With the enactment of the Rajasthan Land Reforms and Resumption of Jagirs Act in 1952, the traditional feudal privileges, land revenue rights, and administrative powers of the Thikanas were officially abolished.

Today, the descendants of the Katar Badi family preserve their rich ancestral heritage, historical artifacts, and cultural traditions, remaining respected figures in their local community while contributing to the modern socio-economic landscape of Rajasthan.