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{{Short description|Indian royal and businessman (1944–2025)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox royalty
| name = Arvind Singh Mewar
| image = Maharana of Udaipur Arvind Singh Mewar.jpg
| caption = Mewar in 2013
| birth_date = {{birth date|1944|12|13|df=yes}}
| birth_place = [[Udaipur]], [[Kingdom of Mewar]], British India
| death_date = {{death date and age|2025|03|16|1944|12|13|df=yes}}
| death_place = Udaipur, Rajasthan, India
| burial_date = 17 March 2025
| burial_place = [[Ahar Cenotaphs|Mahasati]]
| spouse = Vijayraj Kumari Mewar
| issue = [[Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar]]<br>Bhargavi Kumari Mewar<br>Padmaja Kumari Mewar
| house = [[Kingdom of Mewar|Mewar]]
| father = [[Bhagwat Singh of Mewar|Bhagwat Singh Mewar]]
| mother = Princess Sushila Kumari of Bikaner
| dynasty = [[Sisodia dynasty|Sisodia]]
| module = {{Infobox person |embed=yes
| website = {{URL|www.arvindsinghmewar.com}}
| organization = [[HRH Group of Hotels]]}}
}}

'''Arvind Singh Mewar''' ({{langx|hi|अरविन्द सिंह मेवाड़}}; {{IPA|hi|ʌɾʋɪndᵊ sɪɳɣʰ meʋäːɽ}}; 13 December 1944 – 16 March 2025) was an Indian businessman who was a member of the house of [[Kingdom of Mewar|Mewar]] and chairman of [[HRH Group of Hotels]]. He was the 76th custodian of the House of Mewar on behalf of Sri Eklingji.

== Early life and education ==
Mewar was born on 13 December 1944 to [[Bhagwat Singh of Mewar|Bhagwat Singh Mewar]] and his wife, Shushila Kumari, as their second son.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Meininger |first=Irmgard |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lC1uAAAAMAAJ |title=The Kingdom of Mewar: Great Struggles and Glory of the World's Oldest Ruling Dynasty |date=2000 |publisher=D.K. Printworld |isbn=978-81-246-0144-0 |pages=162–164 |language=en}}</ref> Singh received his primary education at home.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Sharma |first=C. L. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WHgo_xlOqaQC |title=Ruling Elites of Rajasthan: A Changing Profile |date=1993 |publisher=M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd. |isbn=978-81-85880-13-6 |pages=96 |language=en}}</ref> In 1957, he was sent to [[Mayo College]], [[Ajmer]], where he passed his [[Senior Cambridge]] in 1961.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> Afterward, he studied at Maharana Bhupal College, [[Udaipur]], until 1965.<ref name=":1" /> He obtained his [[Bachelor of Arts|BA]] there after studying subjects like [[English literature]], economics, and [[political science]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 December 2023 |title=Who is Maharaja Arvind Singh Mewar, Chairman of HRH Group of Hotels: Know about his luxurious lifestyle, palaces & more |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/life/lifestyle-know-maharaja-arvind-singh-mewar-chairman-of-hrh-group-of-hotels-know-about-his-luxurious-lifestyle-palaces-more-3135365/ |access-date=2 February 2025 |website=Financialexpress |language=en}}</ref> Then, he went to the UK and US to study [[hotel management]].<ref name=":1" /> In the UK, he studied a course in [[hotel management]] at Metropolitan College, [[St Albans]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Schner |first=David |date=2011 |title=LEADERS Interview with Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar of Udaipur, 76th Custodian of the House of Mewar |url=https://www.leadersmag.com/issues/2011.1_jan/Hospitality's%20Global%20Impact/LEADERS-Shriji-Arvind-Singh-Mewar-Udaipur.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110624141841/https://www.leadersmag.com/issues/2011.1_jan/Hospitality's%20Global%20Impact/LEADERS-Shriji-Arvind-Singh-Mewar-Udaipur.html |archive-date=24 June 2011 |access-date=2 February 2025 |website=LEADERS Magazine}}</ref> After completing the course, he moved in 1967 to Chicago, US, where he did on-the-job training in hospitality services.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" />

== Career ==
Arvind Singh Mewar was the chairman and managing director of the [[HRH Group of Hotels]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cass.city.ac.uk/news/2012/october/cass-welcomes-76th-generation-custodian-of-house-of-mewar|title=Cass welcomes 76th Generation Custodian of House of Mewar|website=Cass Business School – City, University of London|language=en|access-date=28 July 2018}}</ref> which was started by his father in 1963. He had a crystal collection in the palace as well as a fleet of [[antique car]]s. These are open to the public.<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 July 2022 |title=The Udaipur Collection: Family Heirloom Historic Vehicles |url=https://magazine.derivaz-ives.com/the-udaipur-collection-historic-vehicles/ |access-date=18 October 2023 |website=deRivaz & Ives |language=en}}</ref>

From 1979 to 1981, Arvind Singh Mewar lived and worked in Chicago.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ray |first=Sanjana |date=2025-03-17 |title=Remembering Arvind Singh Mewar, an avid sportsman, licensed pilot and head of HRH group of hotels |url=https://www.gqindia.com/content/remembering-arvind-singh-mewar-an-avid-sportsman-licensed-pilot-and-head-of-hrh-group-of-hotels |access-date=2025-03-17 |website=GQ India |language=en-IN}}</ref> Back in [[Udaipur]], from 1981 to 1984, he worked as the personal secretary to his father, the former [[Maharana]] [[Bhagwat Singh of Mewar|Bhagwat Singh Mewar]].{{citation needed|date=March 2025}} In 1982–83, he was General Manager of [[Lake Palace Hotel]], Udaipur.{{citation needed|date=March 2025}}

== Cricketing and polo career ==
Mewar played [[cricket]] in England.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |last=Cox |first=Charlotte |date=2017-05-21 |title=How an Indian prince came to Manchester for a 'slice of normality' and learnt the lesson of his life |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/how-indian-prince-came-manchester-13068817 |access-date=2025-03-19 |website=Manchester Evening News |language=en}}</ref> He joined Bramhall Cricket Club and later played as an opening batsman for the Lancashire 2nd XI.<ref name=":8" /> He then moved to [[Manchester]] to continue playing in the [[Lancashire League (cricket)|Lancashire League]].<ref name=":8" /> On 15 December 1961, he made his [[Ranji Trophy]] debut against Vidarbha in a match played at [[Bhupal Nobles University|Bhopal Nobles' College]] ground.<ref name=":9">{{Cite web |last=HT News Desk |date=2025-03-17 |title=Funeral of Arvind Singh Mewar, Maharana Pratap's descendant, today in Udaipur |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/who-was-arvind-singh-mewar-maharana-prataps-descendant-dies-in-rajasthans-udaipur-101742179581946.html |access-date=2025-03-19 |website=[[Hindustan Times]]}}</ref><ref name=":10">{{Cite web |last=HT News Desk |date=2025-03-16 |title=Maharana Pratap's descendant Arvind Singh Mewar dies. Who was he? |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/maharana-prataps-descendant-arvind-singh-mewar-dies-who-was-he-101742116894605.html |access-date=2025-03-19 |website=[[Hindustan Times]]}}</ref> He established The Cricket Institute, [[Udaipur]], to promote the sport across Rajasthan.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-03-17 |title=Arvind Singh Mewar: A Visionary Who Transformed Mewar's Heritage And Tourism - EBNW Story |url=https://ebnw.net/travel-tourism/arvind-singh-mewar-a-visionary-who-transformed-mewars-heritage-and-tourism/ |access-date=2025-03-19 |language=en-US}}</ref> Mewar was actively involved with several cricket associations, including the [[Rajasthan Cricket Association]], the [[Cricket Club of India]], the [[Mumbai Cricket Association|Bombay Cricket Association]], and the [[Marylebone Cricket Club]] in London.{{citation needed|date=March 2025}} He began playing polo in the 1970s but had to give up the sport for medical reasons.<ref name=":9" /><ref name=":10" /> He later established the Udaipur Cup at the Cambridge and Newmarket Polo Club.<ref name=":9" /><ref name=":10" />

== Personal life ==
Mewar married Vijayraj Kumari in 1972.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Morrow |first=Ann |url=https://archive.org/details/highnessmaharaja00morr/ |title=Highness : the Maharajahs of India |date=1987 |publisher=Leicester : Ulverscroft |others=Internet Archive |isbn=978-0-7089-8441-3 |pages=335–336}}</ref> She is the daughter of Fateh Singh, the son of [[Vijayarajaji]], the [[Maharao]] of [[Cutch State|Cutch]].<ref name=":0" /> They had three children: two girls, Bhargavi Kumari and Padmaja Kumari, and one son, [[Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar]].<ref name=":3">{{Cite book |last=Meininger |first=Irmgard |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=j_cSAQAAMAAJ |title=City Palace of Udaipur: Historical View and a Guide |date=2000 |publisher=D.K. Printworld |isbn=978-81-246-0149-5 |pages=39–40 |language=en}}</ref> Lakshyaraj married Nivritti Kumari, who is the daughter of politicians [[Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo]] and [[Sangeeta Kumari Singh Deo]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 December 2013 |title=City Palace dazzles as Lakshyaraj Singh gets engaged with Nivritti Kumari |url=https://udaipurtimes.com/events/city-palace-dazzles-as-lakshyaraj-singh-gets-engaged-with/c74416-w2859-cid117531-s10700.htm |access-date=27 April 2025 |website=udaipurtimes.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=23 January 2014 |title=Udaipur prince Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar gets married to Nivritti, daughter of Odisha BJP president at Bhubaneswar |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/events/jaipur/udaipur-prince-lakshyaraj-singh-mewar-gets-married-to-nivritti-daughter-of-odisha-bjp-president-at-bhubaneswar/articleshow/29210402.cms |access-date=27 April 2025 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> Nivritti is the great-granddaughter of [[Rajendra Narayan Singh Deo]], former [[List of chief ministers of Odisha|Chief Minister of Odisha]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bisoyi |first=Sujit |date=12 June 2024 |title=Odisha's first BJP CM, Deputy CMs to take oath today: Who are Mohan Charan Majhi, K V Singh Deo, Pravati Parida? |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/odisha-bjp-cm-deputy-oath-today-mohan-charan-majhi-k-v-singh-deo-pravati-parida-9386962/ |access-date=27 April 2025 |website=The Indian Express}}</ref>

== Death ==
Mewar remained in good health for most of his life, but his condition gradually declined in his final years.<ref name=":5">{{Cite news |date=2025-03-17 |title=Udaipur mourns death of tourism stalwart |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/udaipur-mourns-death-of-tourism-stalwart/articleshow/119086106.cms |access-date=2025-03-16 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> He was undergoing treatment at his residence, the [[City Palace, Udaipur|City Palace]] in [[Udaipur]].<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Service |first=Statesman News |date=2025-03-16 |title=Mewar royal Arvind Singh passed away in Udaipur |url=https://www.thestatesman.com/india/mewar-royal-arvind-singh-passed-away-in-udaipur-1503408556.html |access-date=2025-03-16 |website=The Statesman |language=en}}</ref> He died on 16 March 2025, at the age of 80.<ref>{{cite news |title=Member of erstwhile royal family, Arvind Singh Mewar passes away |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/udaipur/member-of-the-erstwhile-royal-family-arvind-singh-mewar-passes-away/articleshow/119065551.cms |access-date=16 March 2025 |work=[[The Times of India]] |date=16 March 2025}}</ref><ref name=":6" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Uttarakhand CM Dhami condoles demise of erstwhile Udaipur royal Arvind Singh Mewar |url=https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/uttarakhand-cm-dhami-condoles-demise-of-erstwhile-udaipur-royal-arvind-singh-mewar20250316215834/ |access-date=2025-03-16 |website=ANI News |language=en}}</ref>

His body was kept at [[Shambhu Niwas|Shambu Niwas]] for relatives, friends, and the public to pay their respects.<ref name=":5" /> The [[City Palace, Udaipur|City Palace]], Udaipur, was closed to tourists on 16–17 March due to his death.<ref>{{Cite web |last=PTI |date=2025-03-17 |title=Arvind Singh Mewar, Maharana Pratap's descendant, passes away |url=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/arvind-singh-mewar-maharana-prataps-descendant-passes-away-8861092 |access-date=2025-03-17 |website=Wion |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Maharana Pratap's Descendant, Royal Family Member Arvind Singh Mewar Dies |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/maharana-prataps-descendant-royal-family-member-arvind-singh-mewar-dies-7934593 |access-date=2025-03-17 |website=www.ndtv.com |language=en}}</ref> His funeral procession began around 11 a.m. on 17 March from [[Shambhu Niwas]] in [[City Palace, Udaipur|City Palace]], Udaipur.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |title=Maharana Pratap descendant Arvind Singh Mewar cremated in Udaipur |url=https://www.theweek.in/wire-updates/national/2025/03/17/des39-rj-arvind-singh-cremation.html |access-date=2025-03-17 |website=The Week |language=en}}</ref> It passed through Badi Pol, Jagdish Chowk, Ghantaghar, Bada Bazaar, and Delhi Gate before reaching the cremation site at [[Ahar Cenotaphs|Mahasati]] in Udaipur, where his last rites were performed.<ref name=":7" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Maharana Pratap descendant Arvind Singh Mewar cremated in Udaipur |url=https://www.ptinews.com/story/national/Maharana-Pratap-descendant-Arvind-Singh-Mewar-cremated-in-Udaipur/2380201 |access-date=2025-03-17 |website=www.ptinews.com}}</ref> His funeral pyre was lit by his son, [[Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Maharana Pratap descendant Arvind Singh Mewar cremated in Udaipur |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/rajasthan/maharana-pratap-descendant-arvind-singh-mewar-cremated-in-udaipur/ |access-date=2025-03-17 |website=The Tribune |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Agencies |date=2025-03-17 |title=Maharana Pratap descendant Arvind Singh Mewar cremated in Udaipur |url=https://www.millenniumpost.in/nation/maharana-pratap-descendant-arvind-singh-mewar-cremated-in-udaipur-602661 |access-date=2025-03-17 |website=www.millenniumpost.in |language=en}}</ref>

His nephew, [[Vishvaraj Singh Mewar]], along with other dignitaries, attended his funeral.<ref name=":7"/><ref>{{Cite web |last=Service |first=Statesman News |date=2025-03-17 |title=Punjab Guv Kataria bids adieu to royal schoolmate Arvind Singh Mewar |url=https://www.thestatesman.com/india/punjab-guv-kataria-bids-adieu-to-royal-schoolmate-arvind-singh-mewar-1503408910.html |access-date=2025-03-17 |website=The Statesman |language=en}}</ref>

== Controversies ==
{{Main|Mewar family dispute}}
Since the death of [[Bhagwat Singh of Mewar|Bhagwat Singh Mewar]], there have been conflicts and issues between his descendants regarding the leadership of the house of [[Kingdom of Mewar|Mewar]] and a property dispute.<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 January 2000 |title=Feud between scions of Maharanas of Mewar may bury their glorious past |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/states/story/20000124-feud-between-scions-of-maharanas-of-mewar-may-bury-their-glorious-past-776963-2000-01-23 |access-date=2 February 2025 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=31 January 2014 |title=Court battle for control of Mewar fortunes exposes heap of skeletons in the closet |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/indiascope/story/19831231-court-battle-for-control-of-mewar-fortunes-exposes-heap-of-skeletons-in-the-closet-804541-2014-01-30 |access-date=2 February 2025 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref> It all started in 1984 when his father willed his entire property through a trust to Arvind, named him his successor, and disinherited his eldest son, [[Mahendra Singh Mewar]], because he had filed a lawsuit against him.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4">{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vkIWAQAAMAAJ |title=India Today International |date=2000 |publisher=Living Media India Limited |pages=28 |language=en}}</ref> He made Arvind the executor of the will and his daughter, Yogeshwari Kumari, the trustee.<ref name=":4" /> This will was kept confidential, and no one knew of it until [[Bhagwat Singh of Mewar|Bhagwat Singh Mewar]]'s death, which led to questions about the will's legitimacy.<ref name=":0" /> After the death of his father, Arvind assumed the leadership of the house with the title of Shriji Hazoor, and his eldest brother [[Mahendra Singh Mewar|Mahendra]] was coronated as the [[Maharana]] of Mewar by the Rawat of [[Salumbar|Salumber]] on 19 November 1984.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":3" /> The [[Maharana]]s were not considered rulers but mere custodians or [[Dewan|diwans]] of Mewar on behalf of [[Eklingji|Sri Eklingji]].<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=I_cvAQAAIAAJ |title=Encyclopaedia Indica: Princely States in colonial India |date=1996 |publisher=Anmol Publications |isbn=978-81-7041-859-7 |pages=180 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kIE3AQAAMAAJ |title=Chitor and the Mewar Family |date=1909 |publisher=Scottish Mission Industries |pages=10–11 |language=en}}</ref> In 2020, a court ruled that the estate shall be divided into four equal shares and allocated to Arvind, Mahendra, Yogeshwari and the deceased Maharana.<ref>{{Cite web|date=1 July 2020|title=Udaipur royal inheritance to be shared equally by three siblings|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/udaipur-royal-inheritance-to-be-shared-equally-by-3-siblings/articleshow/76719645.cms|access-date=19 January 2021|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref>{{Mewari Rana}}

== See also ==
* [[Maharana Mewar Public School]]
* [[Mewar]]
* [[Udaipur State]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* [http://www.eternalmewar.in House of Mewar]
* [https://www.hrhhotels.com/shriji_arvindsingh_mewar.php Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar]
* [http://newsdropbox.com/grand-welcome-of-bhanwarsahib-haritraj-singh-mewar/ Haritaj Singh Mewar]
* [https://udaipurbox.com/arvind-singh-mewar/ Arvind Singh Mewar – The 76th custodian of the House of Mewar]

{{Udaipur}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mewar, Arvind Singh}}
[[Category:1944 births]]
[[Category:2025 deaths]]
[[Category:People from Udaipur]]
[[Category:Indian royalty]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from Rajasthan]]
[[Category:Sisodia dynasty]]

Arvind Singh Mewar - Revision history

Ab2030 at 02:58, 15 March 2026