Former Maharana Mahendra Singh Mewar Passes Away at 83

Udaipur, Former Member of Parliament and descendant of the Mewar dynasty, Mahendra Singh Mewar, passed away on Sunday at a hospital near Udaipur in southern Rajasthan. Mahendra Singh, 83, was the father of Nathdwara MLA Vishvaraj Singh and father-in-law of Rajsamand MP Mahima Kumari. His passing has cast a shadow of mourning across the Mewar region and beyond.

The last rites will take place on Monday at Mahasatya, the royal cremation grounds in Udaipur’s Ayad area. Mahendra Singh had been unwell for some time and was undergoing treatment at Ananta Hospital near Udaipur, where he took his last breath. He was the eldest son of former Mewar Maharana Bhagwat Singh Mewar, while his mother was Princess Sushila Kumari of Bikaner. His wife, Princess Nirupama Kumari Raj, hails from the royal family of Tehri Garhwal.

Condolences poured in from across the state and the nation. Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot expressed deep sadness over Mahendra Singh’s passing, recalling his contributions to the region and his role in public life. "Mahendra Singh Ji was a pillar of strength and tradition for Mewar. His presence and influence will be missed. My heartfelt condolences to his family," Gehlot shared in a statement. Former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje also extended her sympathies, highlighting his invaluable service to the people of Rajasthan. Numerous politicians, cultural leaders, and members of royal families sent their condolences to the Mewar family, paying tribute to his commitment to Mewar’s heritage and legacy.

Mahendra Singh was a former Member of Parliament representing Chittorgarh from 1989 to 1994 on a BJP ticket. Known for his public service, he accompanied former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on a journey through Mewar during his tenure. Although he later joined the Congress and contested elections again, he was defeated by BJP’s Jaswant Singh. His political legacy continues through his son Vishvaraj Singh, who currently serves as MLA, and daughter-in-law Mahima Kumari, who recently won the Rajsamand Lok Sabha seat with a significant margin.

He was deeply connected to various social and cultural organizations, serving as President of the Maharana Bhupal Institute (Vidya Pracharini Sabha, Udaipur) and holding key roles at Mayo College, Ajmer. Additionally, he was a patron of the All India Kshatriya Mahasabha and the Mewar Kshatriya Mahasabha.

In his later years, Mahendra Singh was known for an ongoing dispute with his younger brother, Arvind Singh Mewar, over inheritance claims. Both siblings asserted their right to be recognized as the 76th custodian of the Mewar legacy. Although Mewar’s royal seat traditionally views the Maharana as a steward or “Diwan” of Lord Eklingji (Shiva) rather than a sovereign ruler, the inheritance debate remains unresolved in various courts, even extending to the Supreme Court.

Despite the family conflicts, Mahendra Singh is remembered for his contribution to establishing the Maharana Mewar Charitable Foundation alongside his father and managing iconic heritage properties like the Lake Palace and Garden Hotel. While a faction of Mewar’s noble retainers recognized him as Bhagwat Singh Mewar’s heir, Arvind Singh’s popularity as an ambassador for Udaipur’s heritage and tourism has also kept his influence strong. Today, Arvind’s son, Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, continues the legacy of preserving Mewar’s heritage.

In his twilight years, Mahendra Singh found pride in seeing his son become an MLA and his daughter-in-law elected as a Member of Parliament. His legacy lives on through the accomplishments of his family and his lifelong dedication to public service.