Home / Education / Bikaner's 1913 Assembly: India's Pre-Constitution Democracy Model
Bikaner's 1913 Assembly: India's Pre-Constitution Democracy Model
26 Nov
Summary
- Bikaner established a representative legislative assembly in 1913, predating India's Constitution.
- It was the first princely state in Rajasthan and second in India to form such a body.
- Bikaner enacted a compulsory primary education act in 1929, similar to the 2009 national law.
In a remarkable historical precedent, Bikaner established a representative legislative assembly (BLA) in 1913, predating India's Constitution by decades. Under Maharaja Ganga Singh, Bikaner became the first princely state in Rajasthan and second in India to create such a democratic body, setting an early example for governance.
The BLA, comprising 35 nominated members, adopted Hindi as its code language and expanded the powers of local bodies during its four-year tenure. Furthermore, Bikaner enacted a progressive right to education act in 1929, making primary education compulsory within municipal limits—a foresight echoed by the Union government's 2009 Right to Education Act.
This pioneering assembly influenced subsequent legislative formations in other princely states and saw debates on various civic and legal matters. Its building now serves as a symbol of Bikaner's legacy in public education, marking a significant chapter in India's pre-independence democratic journey.
