Pandusar

Origin and Foundation of Pandusar Thikana

The Thikana of Pandusar holds a unique and prestigious position in the feudal hierarchy of Rajputana, serving as a historic bridge between two of the most illustrious ruling houses of Rajasthan: the Sisodias of Mewar (via the house of Banera) and the Rathores of Bikaner. The rulers of Pandusar are patrilineal descendants of the Sisodia dynasty of Mewar, tracing their lineage directly to Raja Sangram Singhji, the 9^th Raja Saheb of Banera (who ruled from 1836 to 1855 AD).

The foundation of the Thikana is deeply rooted in matrimonial diplomacy. Raja Sangram Singhji of Banera married, as his third wife, Rani Bikanerji, who was the granddaughter of Maharaja Surat Singhji, the ruler of Bikaner (who reigned from 1787 to 1828 AD). To read more about the administrative and political history of the Bikaner state during this period, scholars often refer to the comprehensive records in the Bikaner State Gazetteer.

The Grant of Pandusar (1863 AD)

Due to this maternal connection with the ruling family of Bikaner, the descendants of this union were held in exceptionally high regard in the Bikaner court. In 1863 AD, Maharaja Sardar Singhji of Bikaner officially conferred the estate (Thikana) of Pandusar upon Thakur Saheb Anand Singhji, a son of the Banera-Bikaner alliance. This grant established the Pandusar branch of the Sisodia dynasty within the territory of the Rathore state of Bikaner.

The Status of Parsangis

In the socio-political structure of the Bikaner state, the rulers of Pandusar were recognized as Parsangis. The term Parsangi designated close relatives or nobles connected to the ruling Maharaja through marriage. This status exempted them from certain feudal obligations and granted them special protocols, including a privileged seat in the Bikaner Durbar and direct access to the Maharaja. Their dual heritage—inheriting the martial legacy of the Sisodias of Mewar and enjoying the royal patronage of the Rathores of Bikaner—afforded them a highly respected position among the nobility of Northern Rajasthan.

Modern Era and Post-Independence

Following India's independence in 1947 and the subsequent integration of the princely states into the United State of Rajasthan in 1949, the formal jagirdari system was abolished under the Rajasthan Land Reforms and Resumption of Jagirs Act, 1952. Like other noble houses of the region, the family of Pandusar transitioned from feudal landlords to modern citizens, while continuing to preserve their rich cultural heritage, ancestral weapons, and historical records. Today, they remain active custodians of the Sisodia legacy in the Bikaner region.