Maharana Bhagwat Singh Mewar

1955 AD - 1984 AD (75th custodian)

New challenges of a new age

Bhagwat Singh who was a great-nephew of Maharana Fateh Singh, was adopted from the Shivrati branch of the family, and witnessed the epochal changes in independent India. He led an ordinary life before he was adopted as son and heir to Maharana Bhupal Singh. Bhagwat Singh measured up to the extraordinary circumstances, which came up after India gained her independence and demonstrated his determination to respect the legacy of the founder Bapa Rawal.

Maharana Bhagwat Singh was one of the first rulers to realise the potential of ‘adapting’ palaces and forts into luxury hotels. The Lake Palace Hotel became a hugely successful venture, firmly putting Udaipur on the world tourism map. His corporate endeavours helped the House of Mewar in good stead when the indian Government dealt a terrible blow when in 1971, the Privy Purse was abolished wherein the rulers were stripped of their titles and privileges. Maharana Bhagwat Singh, who now was Mr Bhagwat Singh Mewar, made 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 primary focus during his reign was on social welfare: The Maharana Mewar Foundation was formed and education and community welfare projects were initiated. Annual awards were instituted to reward services rendered to society. With the loss of sovereignty he set up the Maharana Mewar Charitable Trust. In his Will and Testament of 1984, Bhagwat Singh recreated the Institution of the Maharana, ensuring the name of Maharana would continue in perpetuity. His eldest son, Mahendra Singh, voluntarily disinherited himself from the family and as a result the custodianship of the House of Mewar passed on to his younger son, Arvind Singh Mewar.

The timeless legacy of Bapa Rawal was thus protected and the Diwans of Eklingji continued their service through the 20th century. Maharana Bhagwat Singh, on the invitation of Prime Minister Nehru, visited New Delhi and fulfilled the vows of his forefathers, which was never to enter the capital-city so long as it was under foreign rule. He established the Maharana Mewar Public School in 1974.