Funeral of Arvind Singh Mewar, Maharana Pratap's descendant, today in Udaipur

Arvind Singh Mewar, a descendant of the famous Rajput king Maharana Pratap, passed away in Udaipur at the age of 81 after a long illness. His funeral will be held on Monday in Udaipur, and the City Palace, his residence, will remain closed to tourists for the day. Arvind Singh Mewar was known for preserving the legacy of the Mewar dynasty and his contributions to tourism and sports.

Early life and family background

Arvind Singh Mewar was the 76th Custodian of the House of Mewar, a royal family with a rich history linked to the legendary warrior king Maharana Pratap. He was born into the royal family as the younger son of Bhagwant Singh Mewar and Sushila Kumari. His elder brother, Mahendra Singh Mewar, passed away in November last year.

Arvind Singh Mewar attended Mayo College in Ajmer for his early education. Later, he studied hotel management in the UK and the US. He also trained at international hotels and worked in Chicago for several years before returning to India to develop the hospitality business.

Arvind Singh Mewar is survived by his wife, Vijayraj Kumari, son Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, and two daughters, Bhargavi Kumari Mewar and Padmaja Kumari Parmar.

Arvind Singh Mewar played a major role in developing tourism in Udaipur. He transformed the City Palace and other properties into luxurious heritage hotels under the HRH Group of Hotels, which he managed professionally. His efforts helped Udaipur become a major tourist destination, attracting visitors from around the world.

His work in the hotel industry gained recognition, and he was praised for his management style and ability to preserve the cultural and historical essence of the royal properties. The HRH Group of Hotels became known for offering guests a royal experience while maintaining the heritage of Mewar.

Arvind Singh Mewar was passionate about maintaining the legacy of his ancestors. He ensured that the traditions and cultural practices of the Mewar dynasty were preserved and celebrated through various festivals and events at the City Palace.

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Sports and aviation achievements

Apart from his contributions to tourism, Arvind Singh Mewar was also active in sports. He made his debut in the Ranji Trophy as the captain of the Rajasthan cricket team in the 1945-46 season. He played cricket for nearly two decades, representing Rajasthan at a national level.

In the 1970s, Arvind Singh Mewar took up polo. However, due to health issues, he had to stop playing after some time. Despite giving up the sport, he stayed connected with polo by founding the Udaipur Cup at the Cambridge and Newmarket Polo Club. He also established Mewar Polo as a professional team, which went on to win the prestigious President’s Cup in 1991.

Arvind Singh Mewar was also an experienced pilot. He completed solo flights across India in a microlight aircraft, showcasing his adventurous spirit and dedication to learning new skills.

Arvind Singh Mewar was widely respected for his efforts to promote Mewar's rich cultural heritage. He took steps to preserve historical structures, promote tourism, and support local artists and craftsmen.

The Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Bhajanlal Sharma, praised Arvind Singh Mewar’s contributions, calling him a "guardian of Mewar’s glorious legacy." Former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje also acknowledged his role in developing tourism in Udaipur and ensuring that the city’s cultural and historical identity remained intact.

Arvind Singh Mewar’s death marks the end of an era for the House of Mewar. His contributions to sports, tourism, and heritage preservation have left a lasting impact on Udaipur and Rajasthan. His legacy will be remembered through the City Palace, the HRH Group of Hotels, and the traditions he upheld throughout his life.

Arvind Singh Mewar’s funeral will take place in Udaipur on Monday. Family members, political leaders, and people from across the country are expected to gather to pay their final respects. The City Palace will remain closed to visitors as a mark of respect to the late royal.

His life was a blend of tradition and modernity. Through his work in tourism, sports, and heritage preservation, Arvind Singh Mewar ensured that the history and culture of Mewar were passed on to future generations.