Maharaja Ganga Singh (1880-1943) ruled Bikaner princely state for 56 years, improving its amenities of education and medicine, modernizing its transport and communications network, and cutting the famous Gang Canal through the barren wastes (jangaldesh) in the north. Pictured above in military uniform, the Maharaja was trained in traditional Rajput military skills like riding and shooting, but also received modern military education with an Indian Army regiment at Deoli. The old military forces of Bikaner state were modernized by Ganga Singh, serving with distinction in several overseas military campaigns, and were the Bikaner princely state's contribution to the Indian Army after merger with India.