Its rulers pursued a policy of concern for the longevity and efficiency of their rule, in contrastwith most other Rajput states. Rather than prolonged defiance, Bikaner was involved inagreements and alliances with the Mughal Empire, especially during the reign of Akbar. The Bikaner princes helped in Mughal military campaigns and fought at various ranks, besides getting protection and wider trade contacts. These linkages served to augment the economic and political strength of the kingdom. During this time, the mercantile community within Bikaner, particularly that of the Marwaris and Jains, prospered. They invested in trade, constructed havelis, endowed temples, and were important to the city’s development. Princely era during the then British Raj, Bikaner was under the suzerainty of the British crown. The Bikaner Camel Corps was made famous for its overseas services. It formally joined independent India in 1947.
