Sikar (Hindi: सीकर) is a city located in the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan state in India. It is the administrative headquarter of Sikar District. Sikar is a historical city and contains many old Havelis (big houses with Mughal-era architecture) which are a huge tourist attraction. It is 114 km away from Jaipur, 320 km from Jodhpur 215 km from Bikaner and 280 km from Delhi.

Sikar is as much part of Shekhawati as Jhunjhunu.[clarification needed] It was the biggest Thikana (Estate) of the Jaipur State ruled by Shekhawats. Sikar was the capital town of the Thikana Sikar. It is surrounded by the high walls consisting of seven “Pols”(gates). The primitive name of Sikar was ‘Beer Bhan Ka Bass’. Raja Bahadur Singh Shekhawat, the Raja of Khandela gifted the village Beao Nahar Singh & Rao Chand Singh, Rao Devi Singh ascended the throne of Sikar after Chand Singh. He was a great warrior and ruled over Sikar very efficiently.

Devi Singh’s son Rao Raja Laxman Singh was also a great warrior. He built the Laxmangarh Fort on the hill in 1862 and a town which sprang up at the foot hills in called Laxmangarh after his name in 1864 AD.[1] Maharaja Sawai Jagat Singh Saheb Bahadur (II), the king of Jaipur was much pleased with him, as a result the title of ‘Rao Raja’ was conferred upon him by the king. His period is known for the love of art, learning, religion and culture. He was very philanthropic, the Sikar state was very prosperous in his period. The seth’s & the rich people got the magnificent buildings built & the painting on them are worth seeing.

Rao Raja Ram Pratap Singh who ascended the throne after Laxman Singh got the marble palace made .The golden painting on its walls is very attractive. The successive rulers of Sikar such as Rao Raja Bhairon Singh, Rao Raja Sir Madhav Singh Bahadur (1866/1922), he was granted the title of Bahadur in 1886 and Madhav Singh enjoys the credit of making huge Victoria Diamonds Jublee Hall & Madhav Niwas Kothi which are the excellent examples of his love for architecture and paintings. He was always anxious for the welfare of the public. During the terrible famine in 1899 (Samvat 1956), he started many famine relief works for the poor and hungry people. It is evident from ‘Madhav Sagar Pond’ which was built in 1899. This pond was made at the cost of Rs.56000/- it clearly speaks the fame of his ruler. It was in the times of Madhav Singh that Sikar saw the first light of electricity. The roads were also constructed in his time. The old monuments, forts, palaces, boundary walls and temples were repaired in his time. He was very strong and courageous. He had very cordial relations with the British Government. The survey of Railway from Jaipur to Sikar was accomplished in his period. After Madhav Singh the throne of Sikar was ascended by Kalyan Singh.

Rao Raja Kalyan Singh was the last ruler of Sikar (1922/1967). Kalyan Singh had been famous for their love of magnanimous building, palaces, temples and ponds He had ruled over Sikar for 32 years. He built clock tower, which adds beauty to the town. For the welfare of public he got the Kalyan Hospital & Kalyan College built. He died in 1967. To commemorate the sweet memory of his late son Kunwar Hardayal Singh.

Sikar is a very fascinating and charming place for the tourist. The fresco Painting on the ancient havelies, temples and forts captivate the tourist from abroad.

Sikar was the kingdom of royal Shekhawat rajas. Today also many royal Shekhawat family reside in Sikar. One of the great shekhawat is Mr Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, former Vice President of India also belongs to (Khachriyawas) Sikar. Three most prominent business homes of the country viz. the Bajajs, the Birlas and the Goenkas also belong to the district. Most of the Marwari businessmen community residing in Assam, W.Bengal, Surat, Bengaluru and Hyderabad also belong to Sikar.