Bikaner is a city located in the Indian state of Rajasthan, situated in the Thar Desert region of western Rajasthan. It lies approximately 330 kilometres (205 mi) northwest of Jaipur, the state capital. The city serves as the administrative headquarters for both the Bikaner District and the Bikaner division.
Founded in 1488 CE by Rao Bika, a Rajput chief of the Rathore dynasty, the city was originally the capital of the princely Bikaner State. It has since grown from its small origins to become the fourth largest city in Rajasthan. Its development was significantly facilitated by the completion of the Ganga Canal in 1928 and the Indira Gandhi Canal in 1987.