Bagar History

Bagar Itself

The town of Bagar is about 300 years old. In the past 100 years, many wealthy families from Bagar have come back to create and support its remarkable educational institutions, health facilities, and community at large. During Partition, the town experienced a significant shift in population demographics when many of the Muslims fled the area. Today, Bagar remains predominantly Hindu with a small Muslim population of 5%.

Tragedy Turned Miracle

In 1930 Seth Shivanarayan Roontga’s son tragically died after being stricken with an incurable disease. After the tragedy, Seth Roontga thought that he should do something to ensure that this would not happen to other less fortunate families. Out of the kindness of his heart, Seth Roontga generously constructed a hospital for the poor people of the region. It soon became the only recognized hospital in all of Rajasthan for the poor. It was the sole place where all resources and medicines were free of charge for patients. The entire building and structure cost about Rs. 10 lakhs to make in 1930 which would be roughly Rs. 30 crore today. Many recognized and renowned doctors have worked in the hospital during its existence. In 2003, the Sanskrit College, Aacharya Sanskrit Mahavidhyalay, shifted to this building after the hospital was closed down due to lack of resources and funding. The school was originally opened in 1786 near B.L. Chowk and is the oldest Sanskrit College in Rajasthan. Today, about 400 students attend the college every year which is funded 80% by the government.

Land for All

Over 100 years ago, Seth Piramal graciously donated 100 acres of land in Bagar for use by the people of Bagar. It has many uses including a vast grazing area for local cattle. On the edge of this land is a small grave under a hanging tree. It is said that at this site, a young boy was buried alive. He had gone unconscious after a snake bite and everyone was convinced of his death. After the burial, an enlightened man named Kanzar was walking through the land and realized that the boy had been buried alive. The boy was soon unearthed and found alive. Happily, he was reunited with his family. Today, Kanzar is buried in this location.

This land also features the Bhoot Nath Temple, a shrine to Lord Shiva who is the chief deity of ghosts. The temple is intricately decorated and made of marble. Next to the Bhoot Nath Temple are three shrines. From left to right, the first was built by Seth Piramal in memory of his mother, Jankidevi, in 1967. Next is a shrine erected for the memory of Seth Piramal, himself. He was born on 18 November 1892 and died on 5 September 1958. He is responsible for many great achievements in Bagar. The final shrine is in memory of Seth Piramal’s wife, Mahadevi. She died on 27 January 1983.

Across from the three shrines is the Seth Piramal Talab, a large swimming pool built about 100 years ago when the land was donated. It was the chief source of water for Bagar for the next 60 years, up to the 1960s. The pool has three different entrances on the sides and extends a few meters below ground. Up to 40 years ago, the pool had multiple uses including swimming and washing clothes. Due to climactic changes, the pool no longer fills up as it used to and thus is not available for swimming or washing. Today, the government is working on allocating funds for the rehabilitation and maintenance of such sites.

Directly across from the pool is a guesthouse, Bajaran Kutir, where sages would come to stay. Inside, the walls are covered with colorful lines from the Ramayana, a classic Indian epic.

Honoring the Deceased

In this region, cemeteries are beautiful areas to reflect and remember the deceased. The cemetery is organized according to caste. If a child under the age of 10 dies, then he or she is buried. After the age of 10, the dead are burned on a funeral pyre. At the entrance of the cemetery is a beautiful marble fountain with a Lord Shiva idol in the center made by Gopal Prasad Sharma in memory of his father, Hanuman Prasad Sharma, in May 2005. Sitaram Roongta Chaibasa has donated a significant amount of money to this cemetery for its construction and maintenance. In some of the graves, vessels are carved to serve as areas for birds to come and drink water. The cemetery features a number of finely carved and decorated structures that are meant for the relatives of the deceased to come rest for awhile and mourn their loved ones. One such structure is made of beautiful white marble, the same material that the Taj Mahal is built with. Wood is donated by people from the town to use in the pyre free of charge. During the rainy seasons, there is a special covered structure for the funeral pyre.

Never-Ending Generosity

Seth Bishwambar Lal Maheshwari was born on the 7th of July, 1901 and died on the 21st of April, 1967. He is responsible for erecting educational institutions and community-based resources. One of them includes a magnificent marble garden tower in Krishna Park with an underground room. The tower represents three generations: the grandfather in the top and center which branches out to the sons then the grandsons. The room below is a cool quiet place for meditation. Seth BL Maheshwari is also responsible for creating many schools in Bagar. There is a Maheshwari sports complex where cricket and football are often played as well as a playground for young children with swings, slides, and large fields.