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Mewar family dispute

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The ongoing dispute within the House of Mewar concerns succession rights and property ownership in Udaipur, Rajasthan.

Background

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Bhagwat Singh Mewar

The Sisodia clan of Rajputs, to which the members of the House of Mewar belong, claims descent from Rama.[1] Its head, the Maharana, formerly ruled Mewar as the Diwan of Eklingji.[2][3] Eklingji is regarded as an incarnation of Shiva.[4]

Bhupal Singh, the Maharana of Mewar, having no issue of his own, adopted Bhagwat Singh Mewar as his son and successor.[5] Bhagwat Singh Mewar was married on 24 February 1940 to Sushila Kumari, a daughter of Sadul Singh, the Maharaja of Bikaner, by his wife Sudarshan Kumari, a princess of Rewa.[6][7] They had three children: Mahendra Singh Mewar, Yogeshwari Kumari, and Arvind Singh Mewar.[8][9] Upon Bhupal Singh’s death in 1955, Bhagwat Singh Mewar succeeded to his title, rank, and dignity.[8] His succession was recognised by the Government of India.[10] His adoptive father received a privy purse of Rs 2,500,000, along with an additional Rs 400,000 due to his physical disability.[8] However, his own privy purse was reduced to Rs 10,00,000.[8] Within five years, he converted the Jag Niwas Palace, his summer residence, into a heritage hotel named Lake Palace.[11][12] In 1971, when Indira Gandhi abolished privy purses and princely privileges, Bhagwat Singh Mewar wrote to her: "I cannot accept being instrumental in the derogation of the institution to which I belong," and established the Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation (MMCF).[13][14][15]

During Bhagwat Singh Mewar lifetime, his eldest son, Mahendra Singh Mewar, filed court cases against him.[16][17] Mahendra Singh Mewar accused Bhagwat Singh Mewar of wasteful expenditure and asked for division of the property.[18][19] In a fit of anger, Bhagwat Singh Mewar disinherited Mahendra Singh Mewar.[17] At the same time, Bhagwat Singh Mewar gave the responsibility of managing the family’s properties to his younger son, Arvind Singh Mewar.[17] In 1984, Bhagwat Singh Mewar, in his final will and testament, bequeathed his entire property to his son, Arvind Singh Mewar, through a trust.[20][19] He included Yogeshwari Kumari as a trustee in it.[20] He excluded his eldest son, Mahendra Singh Mewar, on the grounds that he was incapable of managing the family legacy.[19] He excluded his first wife, Sushila Kumari, from the will and named Annabella Parker, his second wife, as a beneficiary.[19][21]

Developments

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Following the death of Bhagwat Singh Mewar in 1984, Arvind Singh Mewar, his younger son, assumed the headship of the House of Mewar with the title of Shriji Hazur, in accordance with his father's will.[22] However, at the same time, his eldest son, Mahendra Singh Mewar, was crowned Maharana of Mewar at Tripolia inside the City Palace by the Rawat of Salumber.[23]

Mahendra Singh Mewar died on 10 November 2024.[24][25] Following this, on 25 November 2025, his son, Vishvaraj Singh Mewar, was installed as the Maharana of Mewar at the Fateh Prakash Palace within Chittorgarh Fort.[26] The Rawat of Salumber, Devrat Singh, performed his tilak using blood drawn from his thumb.[27] He then proceeded to the City Palace to seek darshan of the Dhuni there, but was refused entry.[28][29] Earlier that day, his uncle, Arvind Singh Mewar, had published public notices warning of legal action against trespassing.[30][31] A large number of police officers were deployed to prevent any untoward incidents.[17] The streets surrounding the City Palace were cleared of tourists, and the shops had closed their shutters.[32] His supporters attempted to cross the police barricades but were unsuccessful.[30] Vishvaraj Singh Mewar himself waited for several hours at Jagdish Chowk.[30] The local authorities then intervened and held separate talks with him and his cousin, Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, in an attempt to prevent the situation from escalating further.[30] However, the talks proved unproductive.[30] That night, both parties threw stones at each other.[30][31] After this, the local authorities took possession of the part of the City Palace where Vishvaraj Singh Mewar was to seek darshan and escorted him there to complete the ritual.[30][33] This was 48 hours after he was crowned.[33][34] After this, he paid his respects to Eklingji and departed for his residence the Samore Bagh.[34]

Arvind Singh Mewar died on 16 March 2025.[24][35] On account of his death, the City Palace was closed until after his funeral.[35] His funeral rites were performed by his son, Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, on 17 March 2025 at Mahasati.[36] A few days after his father's demise, on 2 April 2025, Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar held his Gaddi Utsav (transl. coronation ceremony) and Rang ka Dastur (transl. ceremony of changing the turban to a colored one).[37][38]

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The legal proceedings concerning the Mewar family's assets have continued for decades.[39] In 2020, the Udaipur District Court issued a ruling that divided key properties—Shambhu Niwas Palace, Badi Pal, and Ghas Ghar—equally among the three children of Bhagwat Singh Mewar.[40] A fourth share was retained under his name.[41] The court further declared that the three children would be permitted to use the properties on a rotational basis.[41] However, Arvind Singh Mewar appealed the decision at the Rajasthan High Court, which subsequently stayed the district court's order and maintained the status quo until a final verdict is reached.[32]

References

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  1. ^ Bayley, C. S. (2004). Chiefs and Leading Families in Rajputana. Asian Educational Services. pp. 21–27. ISBN 978-81-206-1066-8.
  2. ^ Bahadur), Har Bilas Sarda (Diwan (1918). Maharana Sāngā; the Hindupat, the Last Great Leader of the Rajput Race. Scottish Mission Industries. p. 36.
  3. ^ Bahadur), Har Bilas Sarda (Diwan (1951). Recollections and Reminiscences: Memoirs. Vedic Yantralaya. p. 63.
  4. ^ Crump, Vivien; Toh, Irene (1996). Rajasthan. Alfred A. Knopf, Incorporated. p. 256. ISBN 978-0-679-76591-2.
  5. ^ Khosla K. R. (1942). The States Estates and Whos Who In India and Burma. The Imperial Publishing Co., Railway Road, Lahore. pp. 79–80.
  6. ^ Rathore, L. S. (2005). Maharaja Sadul Singh of Bikaner: A Biography of the Co-architect of India's Unity. Books Treasure. pp. viii. ISBN 978-81-900422-0-8.
  7. ^ Mehta, Pratap Singh (2017-09-13). Guns and Glories: Rajputana Chronicles. Notion Press. p. 200. ISBN 978-93-5206-601-8.
  8. ^ a b c d Sharma, C. L. (1993). Ruling Elites of Rajasthan: A Changing Profile. M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd. pp. 94–95. ISBN 978-81-85880-13-6.
  9. ^ Rāṇāvata, Manoharasiṃha (1994). Princely Historian: Commemoration Volume of Maharajkumar Dr. Raghubir Sinh (in Hindi). Shri Natnagar Shodh-Samsthan, Sitamau, and Publication Scheme. p. 9. ISBN 978-81-85263-88-5.
  10. ^ Sabha, India Parliament Lok (1955). Lok Sabha Debates. Lok Sabha Secretariat. p. 3653.
  11. ^ Brockway, Cosmo (2024-03-10). "Udaipur's floating Lake Palace is a marvel in white marble". The World Of Interiors. Retrieved 2025-05-13.
  12. ^ Jhala, Angma Dey (2015-10-06). Royal Patronage, Power and Aesthetics in Princely India. Routledge. pp. 124–125. ISBN 978-1-317-31657-2.
  13. ^ Mankekar, D. R. (1976). Mewar Saga: The Sisodias' Role in Indian History. Vikas Publishing House. p. 180. ISBN 978-0-7069-0416-1.
  14. ^ Khera, Dipti; Mansukhami, Raju; Topsfield, Andrew (2002). Jagmandir on Lake Pichola. Penguin Enterprise. p. 11. ISBN 978-0-670-04923-3.
  15. ^ "When Indira Gandhi Pulled the Strings of Nizam, Other Princely State Rulers over 'Privy Purses'". News18. Retrieved 2025-05-13.
  16. ^ "Behind Udaipur Royal Family Feud, A Will By Maharana That Dates Back To 1984". www.ndtv.com. Retrieved 2025-05-13.
  17. ^ a b c d Bureau, The Hindu (2024-11-26). "After clash at Udaipur palace, government appoints receiver for disputed portion". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2025-05-13. {{cite news}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  18. ^ Reporter, The BuckStopper (2023-11-26). "Not in palace, erstwhile Princes of Mewar - Vishwaraj Singh and Lakshyaraj Singh meet at polling booth". The BuckStopper. Retrieved 2025-05-13.
  19. ^ a b c d India Today International. Living Media India Limited. 2000. p. 28.
  20. ^ a b "Feud between scions of Maharanas of Mewar may bury their glorious past". India Today. 2000-01-24. Retrieved 2025-05-13.
  21. ^ "Rajasthan Revisited / Telegraph Magazine". Martin Fletcher. Retrieved 2025-05-13.
  22. ^ Meininger, Irmgard (2000). City Palace of Udaipur: Historical View and a Guide. D.K. Printworld. pp. 39, 84. ISBN 978-81-246-0149-5.
  23. ^ Meininger, Irmgard (2000). The Kingdom of Mewar: Great Struggles and Glory of the World's Oldest Ruling Dynasty. D.K. Printworld. p. 164. ISBN 978-81-246-0144-0.
  24. ^ a b "Maharana Pratap's descendant, member of erstwhile royal family, Arvind Singh Mewar dies". The Times of India. 2025-03-16. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2025-05-14.
  25. ^ PTI (2024-11-11). "Mahendra Singh Mewar, descendant of Maharana Pratap, dies at 83". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2025-05-14.
  26. ^ "Behind violence, drama at Mewar dynasty coronation, a battle royale for property". India Today. 2024-11-27. Retrieved 2025-05-14.
  27. ^ "Watch: A Coronation With Swords And Blood Before Udaipur Royal Family Feud". www.ndtv.com. Retrieved 2025-05-14.
  28. ^ PTI (26 November 2024). "Coronation of new Mewar 'maharana' highlights power struggle in erstwhile royal family". The Telegraph.
  29. ^ PTI (26 November 2024). "Coronation of new Mewar 'maharana' highlights power struggle in erstwhile royal family". ThePrint.
  30. ^ a b c d e f g "Receiver to oversee Udaipur City Palace's disputed portion after new titular royal head denied entry". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 2025-05-14.
  31. ^ a b "Family feud turns violent after BJP MLA Vishvaraj Singh anointed 77th Maharana of Mewar - CNBC TV18". CNBCTV18. 2024-11-26. Retrieved 2025-05-14.
  32. ^ a b Baruah, Antara (2024-11-28). "A royal mess spilled onto Udaipur streets. Vishvaraj vs Lakshyaraj is a 40-yr-old rivalry". ThePrint. Retrieved 2025-05-14.
  33. ^ a b Bharat, E. T. V. (2024-11-28). "Deadlock Ends, Vishvaraj Singh Mewar, His Men Allowed For Dhuni Darshan Inside Udaipur Palace". ETV Bharat News. Retrieved 2025-05-14.
  34. ^ a b "Vishvaraj performs Dhuni Darshan amid tight security". firstindia.co.in. Retrieved 2025-05-14.
  35. ^ a b "Udaipur mourns death of tourism stalwart". The Times of India. 2025-03-17. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2025-05-14.
  36. ^ "Maharana Pratap descendant Arvind Singh Mewar cremated in Udaipur". The Week. Retrieved 2025-05-14.
  37. ^ "Rajasthan: लक्ष्यराज सिंह मेवाड़ का राजतिलक कल, गद्दी महोत्सव में जुटेंगे देशभर के गणमान्य लोग". rajasthan.ndtv.in (in Hindi). Retrieved 2025-05-14.
  38. ^ "Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar's coronation takes place at Udaipur City Palace". ANI News. Retrieved 2025-05-14.
  39. ^ "Mewar Dynasty battle: What is Udaipur Royal Family's Rajtilak Dispute? how are they related to Maharana Pratap?". Bhaskar English. 2024-11-27. Retrieved 2025-05-13.
  40. ^ "Mewar Dynasty battle: What is Udaipur Royal Family's Rajtilak Dispute? how are they related to Maharana Pratap?". Bhaskar English. 2024-11-27. Retrieved 2025-05-13.
  41. ^ a b "Bitter succession row between Indian royals spills over into public eye". The Independent. Archived from the original on 2025-05-03. Retrieved 2025-05-13.
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