SIKAR

town, administrative headquarters of Sikar district, Rajasthan state, northwestern India. The town is a major rail and road junction and engages in agricultural trade. Its handicrafts include textiles, pottery, enamel work, and lacquered goods. Sikar has two colleges affiliated with the University of Rajasthan. Sikar district (2,985 sq mi [7,732 sq km]) comprises part of a plains area west of the Aravalli Range that was previously known as the Shekhawati tract of Jaipur princely state. Agriculture is the principal occupation; bajra (pearl millet), pulses (legumes), barley, and cotton are the chief crops. The district has cement and cotton-ginning factories, and beryllium, mica, marble, and fluorite deposits are worked. Pop. (1981) town, 102,970; district, 1,377,245.