Arvind Singh Mewar (80), a member of the Udaipur royal family, has passed away. He had been suffering from a prolonged illness and was receiving treatment at the City Palace. He was a descendant of Maharana Pratap.
Rajasthan: Arvind Singh Mewar (80), a member of Udaipur's former royal family and a descendant of Maharana Pratap, passed away on Sunday. He had been suffering from a long-term illness and was receiving treatment at Shambhu Niwas in the City Palace. His death has caused a wave of mourning in the Mewar royal family and across Udaipur.
Guardian of the Royal Family's Legacy
Arvind Singh Mewar was a descendant of Maharana Pratap. His father was Bhagwat Singh Mewar and his mother was Sushila Kumari Mewar. He was also the custodian of several historical properties belonging to the Udaipur royal family. His elder brother, Mahendra Singh Mewar, passed away on November 10, 2024.
City Palace Closed to Tourists
Following the death of Arvind Singh Mewar, the City Palace has been temporarily closed to the public. Security guards have been deployed outside the City Palace to inform visitors of this decision.
Arvind Singh, the Custodian of Family Properties
Former Maharana Bhagwat Singh leased several properties of the former royal family between 1963 and 1983. This decision was opposed by his elder son, Mahendra Singh Mewar, who filed a lawsuit. Mahendra Singh desired an equal distribution of the properties, advocating for the removal of the 'rule of primogeniture' (whereby the eldest son inherits the throne).
In response, Bhagwat Singh declared the properties as 'importable estate' (indivisible) and, in his will dated May 15, 1984, appointed his younger son, Arvind Singh Mewar, as the executor of the properties.
Played a Crucial Role in Popularizing Destination Weddings
Arvind Singh Mewar played a significant role in establishing Udaipur as a destination wedding hub. According to his son, Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, when Arvind Singh started working on the concept of destination weddings in the 1980s, it was considered a joke. Today, however, Udaipur is one of the world's most popular destination wedding locations.
Last Rites on Monday
The body of Arvind Singh Mewar will be kept at the City Palace for final viewing from 7 am on Monday. His funeral procession will begin at 11 am from Shambhu Palace, proceeding via Bari Pol, Jagdish Chowk, Ghanta Ghar, Bara Bazaar, Delhi Gate, and finally reaching Mahasatiya, where the last rites will be performed.
