SoCultures met Prince Eklavya Singh ji and we discussed illustrious past and
privileged present for hours. ..Some excerpts..
Early 1920s the palace came into existence
The Bissau estate was founded in the 1746 and the estate of Surajgarh in 1778.
After their merger in 1919, the Mamlaguzar estate became the largest thikana.
Bissau had many small forts as well which served as small outposts. The estate
was later modernized and came into prominence.
Bissau was known for its cavalry of well-bred horses, camels and elephants as
it was known as the strongest estate in Shekhawati region. Any ceremonial
occasion like a marriage, coronation of a Rawal, or a birth was celebrated with
eleven gun salutes. Today Bissau is one of the most attractive estates of
Shekhawati region.
Stories from your dynasties…ancestors….earlier rulers….
I am the eleventh generations of Bissau dynasty…Our first ancestor was Shri
Rajshree Thakur Kersri Singh who was the fourth son of Shri Shardul Singh of
Jhunjhunu, he constructed the fort of Bissau in 1751. By 1764, Bissau had
close to 150 villages.
Rawal Shri Shyam Singh jee, my ancestor of our third generation, was an
accomplished warrior and added glorious contribution to the illustrious history
of Bissau. He fought many battles against Britishers that time. He also
expanded Bissau territory till Haryana. Now Thakur Surajmal jee…who was a
warrior, led the victorious Rajputs and died valiantly fighting the battle of
world famous battle of Tunga.
All my ancestors contributed, uplifted their kingdom and made their people
proud. Bissau had its own currency, coins, courts and jails. We lived
majestically. (Prince Eklavya Singh is proud of his lineage and knows
hundreds of brave stories of his ancestors.)
We had the best horses, camels, tanks, and artillery…force of 20,000 warrior
soldiers known best for their fierce fighting skills. The system and procedures
were extremely systematic, fair and just. That’s why people still love us.
55 SOCULTURES JAN-FEB2019