The House of Mewar and chairman of the HRH Group of Hotels Arvind Singh Mewar passed away
Arvind Singh Mewar, the 76th ruler of the House of Mewar and chairman of the HRH Group of Hotels, passed away on March 16, 2025, at his residence in Udaipur, Rajasthan, following a prolonged illness. Born on December 13, 1944, he was formerly a direct descendant of the famous Rajput monarch, Maharana Pratap, and the young son of Maharana Bhagwat Singh Mewar and Sushila Kumari.
A Legacy Founded in Royalty
Arvind Singh Mewar was born into the renowned Mewar dynasty, which was famous for its successful records and cultural heritage. His early education was conducted at Mayo College in Ajmer, followed by research at Maharana Bhupal College in Udaipur, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature, economics, and political science. To complement his hospitality knowledge, he studied inn administration literature in the United States and the United Kingdom, including on-the-job training in Chicago.
Stewardship of Heritage: The HRH Group of Hotels
In 1984, after the demise of his father, Arvind Singh Mewar took over the responsibility of managing the HRH Group of Hotels, a venture started with the assistance of his father in 1963. During his leadership, the group grew, converting many royal palaces into heritage hotels, thus preserving the architectural magnificence of Rajasthan while promoting tourism. Interestingly, he exhibited a crystal collection in the palace and had a collection of vintage cars, each accessible to the public, which speaks volumes about his commitment to making Mewar’s heritage accessible to the world.
Personal Life and Philanthropy
Arvind Singh Mewar wed Vijayaraj Kumari, daughter of Fateh Singh, son of Vijayarajaji, the Maharao of Kutch, in 1972. The couple had earlier been blessed with three children: daughters Bhargavi Kumari and Padmaja Kumari, and a son, Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar. Aside from his entrepreneurial ventures, he was actively involved in several philanthropic activities centered on education, health, and preservation of culture, thus greatly adding to the socio-economic development of Udaipur and the surrounding areas.
Succession and Family Disputes
The Mewar royal family has been involved in succession wars since the death of Maharana Bhagwat Singh Mewar in 1984. The late Maharana’s choice to leave control of the family to his young son, Arvind Singh Mewar, resulted in protracted felony struggles with his older son, Mahendra Singh Mewar. These conflicts erupted again after the death of Mahendra Singh in November 2024, when his son Vishvaraj Singh Mewar was previously enthroned as the 77th Maharana of Mewar. Succession ignited also controversies, including battles within the Udaipur City Palace, pointing to the intricacies behind the royal family’s governance and property rights.
A Last Salute to a Cultural Steward
Arvind Singh Mewar’s passing leaves the departure of an era for the Mewar house. His unflinching commitment to preservation and promotion Rajasthan’s rich cultural heritage has left an indelible stamp on the state’s tourism and hospitality industries. With the responsibility to preserve a tradition that lasted centuries, he struck a balance between lifestyle and modernity, ensuring that the rich histories of Mewar stayed fresh and within reach. His efforts have now not only enriched Udaipur but have also established a benchmark for heritage preservation and hospitality in India.
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