Culture and history info
Culture
A majority of people in the district speak Bagri and Punjabi. Writers of the district have made contributions to Rajasthani literature, through Bagri.
Bagri culture dominates the district, while Punjabi culture has influence in some areas.
Such scenes are common in some southern villages.
The embroidered odhni (mostly red) is a symbol of Bagri women. A long shirt and ghaghro (long frock-type clothes) and borlo (a head ornament) is the traditional dress of Bagri women.
The purdah (or veil) is mainly in vogue among Bagri women. Men mainly wear a pant-shirt, kurta-payjama and dhoti.
Traditional and Pop Punjabi music and Rajasthani devotional music is popular. Bollywood songs are listened to with the same enthusiasm as in other northern Indian regions.
History
Sri Ganganagar was established by Maharaja Ganga Singh, near Ramanagar which was named Rami Ki Dhani after Ram Singh Saharan and now known as 'Purani Abadi' and 'Old Abadi'. Sri Ganganagar is one of the first well-planned modern cities of India, it is said to be influenced by the town planning of Paris. It is divided into residential blocks and a commercial area which includes Dhan Mandi (agricultural marketplace).
Almost 70-75 percent of people's livelihood depend on farming. They grow a number of varieties of crops like wheat, rice, sugarcane and so on. These products exported to many other states like Punjab, Haryana, and others.
Along with this, youngsters of Sri Ganganagar enjoy sports like kabaddi, cricket, badminton and football. They win hundreds of trophies and cups every year in state and national level tournaments.
It is at the point where the Sutlej waters enter Rajasthan or the erstwhile Bikaner State. It is said by the elders that this area first came under the erstwhile Bahawalpur state. But, due to the large open area, this was unguarded and Hindu Mal (a companion of Maharaja Ganga Singh) took advantage of this opportunity and changed the boundaries or the posts along the boundary. He started his journey to change posts from Suratgarh in south till Hindumalkot city in north of this district. He informed the Maharaja about his successful invasion of the area when he reached the northern part and thereafter died giving name to the city Hindumalkot.
In 1899-1900, the Bikaner State was affected by a severe famine. To resolve this issue permanently, Maharaja Ganga Singh obtained the services of AWE Standley, chief engineer, who demonstrated the feasibility of the western area of the Bikaner State being brought under irrigation from the Sutlej waters. The plan of the Sutlej Valley Project was drawn by the chief engineer of Punjab, RG Kennedy, according to which the vast area of erstwhile Bikaner State could be brought under irrigation. However, the project got delayed due to objections by the erstwhile State of Bahawalpur.
With the intervention of then Viceroy of India, Lord Curzon, in 1906, a Tripartite Conference was held and an agreement was reached and signed on 4 September 1920. The foundation stone of the Canal Head Works at Ferozepur was laid on 5 December 1925 and the work completed in 1927 by constructing 143 km (89 mi) of lined canal. The opening ceremony was performed on 26 October 1927 by Lord Irwin, the then Viceroy of India.
The plan for the city of Sri Ganganagar was drawn at this time. Irrigated parts of Bikaner State were brought under Sri Ganganagar district and later sub-divided into Hanumangarh district in 1994.
