Ancestry of the House of Mewar

Raj Singh I - Bhagwat Singh (58 - 75) 1652 A.D. - 1984 A.D.

58.

Rana Raj Singh I
1653 A.D. - 1680 A.D.
Ari Singh (Tiroli)

Peace and respite from war brings with it the responsibility of building Udaipur, developing the City Palace, enlarging the Lake Pichola and creating an effective fresh water network. While Rana Raj Singh builds the Rajsamund Lake to save his people from debilitating drought and famine.It was during his reign that Shrinathji came to Nathdwara and Dwarkadish came to Kankaroli i.e they took shelter in Mewar due to Aurangzeb's destrustive nature.

Rana Jai Singh constructs the Jaisamund Lake - one of the largest artificial lakes of its time in the world.

59.

Rana Jai Singh 1680 A.D. - 1698 A.D. Bheem Singh (Banera) Bahadur Singh (Bhoonwas)

60.

Rana Amar Singh II 1698 A.D. - 1710 A.D. Umaidsingh (Karoi) Pratap Singh (Bavlas)

61.

Rana Sangram Singh II
1710 A.D. - 1734 A.D.

Naath Singh (Bagor, Peelghar)	Bagh Singh (Karjali)	Arjun Singh (Shivrati)
Bheem Singh Surat Singh Jalam Singh (Netawal) Bhagwat Singh (Peeladar) Shivdaan Singh Sardar Singh (69) Sher Singh Swaroop Singh (70) Sardar Singh Samrath Singh Shakti Singh Sohan Singh Shambu Singh (71) Sajjan Singh (72)	Bhairon Singh Daulat Singh Anoop Singh Surat Singh Chatar Singh Himmat Singh Lakshman Singh Jagat Singh Abhey Singh Karan Singh	Shiv Singh Bahadur Singh Suraj Mal Daulat Singh (Dhaneria) Dul Singh Gaj Singh Surat Singh Fateh Singh (73) Himmat Singh Shivdaan Singh Pratap Singh Hamir Singh Udai Singh Bhagwat Singh (75) Narendra Singh Arjun Singh

62.

Rana Jagat Singh II
1734 A.D. - 1751 A.D.

Despair, darkness and the testing times. After centuries of proud resistance and defence against the Turks and the Mughals, Mewar is humbled by the militancy of the marauding Marathas. He built the palace of Jagniwas now the famous Lake Palace Hotel.

In Veer Vinod, the poet Shyamaldas, traces the Kshatriya lineage of Shivaji from Rahap, one of the sons of Kshema Singh.

From 1736, when the first Maratha invasion of Mewar takes place in the reign of Maharana Jagat Singh II, the Marathas begin extracting huge tributes and payments, destroying the economic base of Mewar.

For almost 40 years, none of the Maharanas are able to counter the greed, rapaciousness and open looting by the Maratha overlords. The glorious descendants of Ikshvaku and Ram, the Maharanas are reduced to abject poverty, unable to lift themselves and their state from the morass of adversity.

63.

Rana Pratap Singh II
1751 A.D. - 1754 A.D. Ari Singh

64.

Rana Raj Singh II
1754 A.D. - 1761 A.D.

65.

Rana Ari Singh III
1761 A.D. - 1773 A.D.

66.

Rana Hameer Singh II
1773 A.D. - 1778 A.D.

67.

Maharana Bhim Singh
1778 A.D. - 1828 A.D.

Mewar's misfortunes multiply as wars of succession break out, with the different Rajput clans pitted against each other. Maharana Bhim Singh is installed as the ruler at the age of ten. He is the First Rana to assume the title of Maharana

"The demoralisation of Mewar was complete, her fields were deluged with blood and her soil was prey of every paltry marauder." Such is the condition of Mewar into which the British arrive in 1817, bearing with them the Treaty of Paramountcy : the promise of restoring all the hereditary territories and protecting the state from any future invasion. Maharana Bhim Singh welcomes Capt. James Tod(later to become Col Tod), the first Political Agent, who reorganises the state of Mewar and its impoverished economy. Col Tod facilitates the turnaround of Mewar's fortunes and provides a new platform for stability and growth.

68.

Maharana Jawan Singh
1828 A.D - 1838 A.D.

69.

Maharana Sardar Singh
1838 A.D.- 1842 A.D.

Victorian stability provides the foundation for the restoration of the lost glory and dignity of the Sisodia dynasty. After the dark days of the Maratha marauders and the civil war, Udaipur is now on the long road to recovery.

Maharana Sardar Singh, adopted from the Bagore branch of the family, is still caught up in the debts of the past. It is his younger brother, Maharana Swarup Singh who begins the painful journey to recovery. He remains firm on upholding Rajput traditions in the face of British instructions to reform. During the 1857 Mutiny, the Maharana shelters the British refugees on Jagmandir Island Palace and proves, once again, that loyalty and trust are core values being upheld by Kshatriya Kings.

70.

Maharana Swarup Singh
1842 A.D. - 1861 A.D.

71.

Maharana Shambhu Singh
1861 A.D. - 1874 A.D.

In Maharana Shambhu Singh's reign, modern reforms are initiated : roads and public utilities, criminal and civil courts, a revitalised police force is established. Education gets top priority from the Maharana who, though not formally educated himself, recognises its value. The first school for girls is built in 1866. Public service and developmental activities become important for the state of Mewar and the Diwans of Eklingji.

72.

Maharana Sajjan Singh
1874 A.D. - 1884 A.D.

The pace of reforms is accelerated by Maharana Sajjan Singh, a very progressive ruler. The High Court is established and new government departments are formed to improve the quality of life in the state of Mewar. Udaipur becomes the second city after Bombay to form a municipality. Plans are drawn up to de-silt the Lake Pichola and afforestation programmes are launched.

In the study of the arts and history, Maharana Sajjan Singh proves to be a worthy descendant of Rana Kumbha. Learned men in his court, called the navratnas, are encouraged to study, discuss and write treatises on diverse philosophical, historical and literary subjects. Mewari poetry reaches its apex now. Literary and scholarly pursuits bear fruit : Kaviraja Shyamaldas authors Veer Vinod and becomes the curator of the newly-formed Sajjan Vani Vilas library.

It is a veritable renaissance under Maharana Sajjan Singh. In a short span of 10 years, the glory of the Sisodia Kings of Mewar is restored.

73.

Maharana Fateh Singh
1884 A.D. - 1930 A.D.

Graciousness and humility, piety and a sense of pride. Maharana Fateh Singh, adopted from the Shivrati branch of the family, proves to be a visionary ruler.

Like a true Suryavanshi, he refuses to bow to the dictates of the British and completely overturns the secondary role which British paramountcy is imposing upon him.

His courteousness, his strength of character and his strong-willed decisions are made more profound as the Maharana lacks formal education. But he is steeped in traditions of Mewar's history. And his piety derives its strength from the Hindu scriptures. In the 45 years of his reign, Fateh Singh makes it clear to the British that he is not the Maharana by the grace of any Queen of England but by order of his own people and in the service of Lord Eklingji.

He devotes himself to developing educational institutes in Udaipur and across the state, encourages the introduction of railway lines from Udaipur, restores old mansions in Chittor and the palace at Kumbhalgarh, builds the The Durbar Hall (now called Fateh Prakash ) and completes the Shiv Niwas Palace as a guesthouse for visitors, extends the water resources of the city by constructing the Feteh Sagar Lake.

For a simple man hailing from a modest village, Maharana Fateh Singh indeed brings to life the glories of Mewar. He remains a fountainhead of inspiration as he fulfills the Kshatriya vows of honour, decency and hospitality in his long reign.

74.

Maharana Bhupal Singh
1930 A.D. - 1955 A.D.

With a vision to lead in an age of turbulence. Maharana Bhupal Singh as the ruler of Mewar guides its destiny through India's most momentous period, the Independence from British Imperial rule.

Like Rana Pratap's heroic defence against the Mughals, Maharana Bhupal Singh's vision is born out of a deep sense of patriotism and pride in upholding the core values of Suryavanshi Kings. Confined to a wheelchair with a crippling spinal disorder, the Maharana's personal courage at all times exemplifies the triumph of the human spirit.

He is aware of the dynamic social changes sweeping across the country and encourages the orderly growth of social and political movements. Like his famous ancestors who were relentless reformers in the field of education, the Maharana establishes the Rana Pratap Hindi University at Chittor and an Agricultural College at Udaipur. Schools, specially for girls, are set up.

He is a committed environmentalist, organising longterm afforestation programmes for the Aravalli Hills. Sustained industrial activity makes the Mewar economy more vibrant in his reign.

With Independence, comes Maharana Bhupal Singh's finest hour. The ruler, who stood to lose the entire governance of his kingdom, became the first State to merge with the Indian Union. His historic words, echo the glory of Rana Sangha and Rana Pratap : "Today is a day of which to be greatly proud. India is independent. It brings to fulfillment the 1400 years' struggle and endeavour of my forefathers. It becomes my holy duty, on behalf of my ancestors, to hand over to the leaders of free India, this cherished and sacred Flame of Freedom to the country as a whole."

Maharana Bhupal Singh, acting honourably as the Diwan of Eklingji, serves the interests and welfare of his people even though it spells the end of Mewar's sovereignty which begins with Guhaditya and is proudly defended for 1500 years. The grateful government of India nominates him as "Maharaj Pramukh", the only one of its kind in whole of India

75.

Maharana Bhagwat Singh Mewar
1955 A.D. - 1984 A.D.

New challenges of a new age
Bhagwat Singh, a great-nephew of Maharana Fateh Singh, is adopted from the Shivrati branch of the family, and is witness to the epochal changes in independent India. Leading an ordinary life before he is adopted as son and heir to Maharana Bhupal Singh, Bhagwat Singh measures up to the extraordinary circumstances and demonstrates his determination to respect the legacy of Bapa Rawal.

Maharana Bhagwat Singh is one of the first rulers to realise the potential of 'adapting' palaces and forts into luxury hotels. The Lake Palace Hotel becomes a hugely successful venture, firmly putting Udaipur on the world tourism map. His corporate endeavours stand the House of Mewar in good stead when the Indian Government deals a terrible blow : In 1969, the Privy Purse is abolished, the rulers are stripped of their titles and privileges. Maharana Bhagwat Singh, now Mr Bhagwat Singh Mewar, makes a dignified appeal to Mrs Indira Gandhi, writing "it shall be an honour for me to be of service to the country, save only that I cannot accept to be instrumental in derogation of the institution to which I belong."
The focus is on social welfare : The Maharana Mewar Foundation is formed. Education and community welfare projects are initiated. Annual awards are instituted to reward services rendered to society.

In his Will and Testament of 1984, Bhagwat Singh recreates the Institution of the Maharana, ensuring the name of Maharana will continue in perpetuity. His eldest son, Mahendra Singh, voluntarily disinherited himself from the family. The custodianship of the House of Mewar passes on to the younger son, Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar of Udaipur.
The timeless legacy of Bapa Rawal is thus protected. And the Diwans of Eklingji continue their service through the 20th century.

Maharana Bhagwat Singh, on the invitation of Prime Minister Nehru, visits New Delhi : fulfilling the vows of his forefathers never to enter the capital-city so long as it is under foreign rule.

76.

Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar of Udaipur
1984 A.D. - the present Mahendra Singh Lakshyaraj Singh

"I believe in the past, but my feet are firmly rooted in the present and I'm constantly thinking about the future."

With these profound words, Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar of Udaipur, the younger son of Maharana Bhagwat Singh, is spearheading the process of modernisation initiated by his illustrious father.

Shriji, as Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar of Udaipur is reverentially known as, is upholding the honourable values of Kshatriya kingship in an age when there are no kings. His empire today is a corporate one : developing palace-resorts and hotels, promoting of Polo and accelerating the pace of ongoing philanthropic activities.

The guiding principles of Bapa Rawal -- self-reliance, self-respect and the dignity of Man -- are as relevant for him today as they were to his forefathers. "Change rarely invalidates the past and it does not necessarily imply a rejection of the old. A great deal can - and should be - preserved from the past. In particular we should treasure the ancient and selfless values that have stood the test of time," says Shriji, the present custodian of the House of Mewar and the 76th Diwan of Eklingji.

Shriji has been preserving a vibrant cultural heritage enshrined in The City Palace, Udaipur in Rajasthan. As the Chairman and Managing Trustee of the Maharana Mewar Charitable Foundation (MMCF), Udaipur, Shriji is managing a spectrum of philanthropic and charitable activities emanating from the City Palace in Udaipur. Several non profit and commercial organisations are seamlessly networked to exemplify ‘Eternal Mewar’ for global and Indian audiences. The Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation, Vidyadan Trust, Maharana Mewar Historical Publications Trust, and Rajmata Gulab Kunwar Charitable Trust have emerged as the public charitable trusts responsible for more than 50 developmental projects in and around Udaipur. The City Palace Museum, Maharana Mewar Special Library, Maharana Mewar Research Institute, the publications division and educational institutes are some of the key projects being managed and developed by the Trusts.

HRH Group of Hotels, Udaipur, is the flagship commercial venture of the House of Mewar. HRH Group of Hotels is India’s largest and only chain of heritage palace-hotels and resorts under private ownership. Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar of Udaipur is the Chairman and Managing Director of the HRH Group of Hotels that offers regal experiences in island-palaces, museums, galleries, car collections, and much more.

History and the blessings of Eklingji are with Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar of Udaipur as he works towards turning his vision into a reality, taking the House of Mewar into the new millennium.

More Ancestry » 569 A.D. to 977 A.D. | 977 A.D. to 1213 A.D. | 1213 A.D. to 1652 A.D. | Pictorial | House of Mewar Today

Shiv Niwas Palace Udaipur	Fateh Prakash Palace Udaipur
Jagmandir Island Palace Udaipur	Gajner Palace Bikaner
Shikarbadi Hotel Udaipur	Garden Hotel Udaipur
The Aodhi Kumbhalgarh	Fateh Bagh Ranakpur
Gorbandh Palace Jaisalmer	Karni Bhawan Palace Bikaner