Udaipur: The centuries-old legacy of Mewar’s royal family is now the center of a fierce dispute, as tensions over the coronation of Vishvraj Singh took a violent turn late at night. A large crowd led by Vishvraj Singh gathered outside the iconic City Palace in Udaipur, sparking chaos when stone-pelting began from the palace gates. Some members of the crowd reportedly attempted to scale the palace walls but were swiftly stopped by those guarding the property.
Amid the turmoil, Vishvraj Singh and his supporters staged a sit-in between Jagdish Chowk and the palace gates, refusing to disperse until their demands were met.
A Rift in the House of Mewar
The dispute arose following the death of Mahendra Singh Mewar, the former head of the royal family. Traditionally, the elder son assumes the title of Maharana, but this has been challenged by Mahendra Singh’s younger brother, Arvind Singh Mewar, who controls the City Palace and serves as the trustee of the Mewar Charitable Trust.
Arvind Singh closed the palace gates, preventing the traditional coronation rituals from taking place. Despite this, Vishvraj Singh was crowned as Maharana in Chittorgarh, a historic seat of the Mewar dynasty, in a ceremony involving the symbolic blood coronation ritual by Rajput feudal lords. Following his coronation, Vishvraj Singh sought to visit Dhuni Mata, a revered shrine inside the City Palace, but was denied entry.
Clashes at the Palace Gates
The night turned chaotic when Vishvraj Singh and his convoy of three vehicles arrived at the City Palace, demanding access. Supporters removed police barricades, leading to clashes with law enforcement. The police intervened with mild force to de-escalate the situation, but tensions persisted as both sides stood their ground.
Arvind Singh had issued two notices prior to the incident, warning that no unauthorized person, including Vishvraj Singh, would be allowed entry into the palace without permission from the trust. While the police granted Vishvraj Singh limited access to Dhuni Mata, they blocked his supporters’ vehicles at the gates, further inflaming tensions.
Centuries-Old Legacy at Stake
The Mewar dynasty, one of the oldest royal lineages in India, has long been a symbol of valor and tradition. The current dispute not only pits family members against each other but also threatens to tarnish the legacy of a royal house that once stood as a bastion of Rajput pride.
The blood coronation ritual, a symbolic act where Rajput nobles affirm their allegiance to a new Maharana, has complicated the issue. While Vishvraj Singh’s supporters view his ascension as legitimate, Arvind Singh’s control over the City Palace and trust adds layers of legal and logistical challenges to the conflict.
What Lies Ahead?
As the rift deepens, the situation remains tense in Udaipur. While efforts are underway to mediate between the two factions, the feud has sparked widespread interest and concern among locals and historians alike.
For now, the gates of the City Palace remain closed to Vishvraj Singh and his supporters, leaving the fate of the Mewar dynasty’s leadership shrouded in uncertainty.
