Inside 1,500-Year Legacy Of Mewar: Maharani Vijayaraj Of Udaipur, Mother of Prince Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, And The Royal Matriarch Behind The City ...

When we think of Indian royalty, our minds usually jump to luxurious palaces, dazzling jewels, and history soaked in drama. Yet, amidst all that sparkle, few stories stand out, and hardly any have the

quiet depth and genuine significance of Maharani Vijayaraj Kumari Mewar of Udaipur. She was born into Kutch’s royal family, and later she was married into the legendary, 1,500-year-old House of Mewar. Her life is a profound tapestry of grace, keen intellect, legacy, and genuine community service—all set against the dreamy background of Udaipur, a city where palaces seem to float on lakes.

From Kutch to Mewar: The Princess Who Defined Her Own Queendom

Maharani Vijayaraj is the younger daughter of Maharaj Fateh Singhji and the granddaughter of the Maharao of Kutch. You read that right! Her childhood was a perfect blend of rigid royal traditions and a surprisingly modern, forward-thinking outlook. Not many would know, but she went to a Franciscan convent in Ooty for her early education. In the 1960s, she decided to travel across Europe and America. However, this didn't westernise her but only deepened her already strong connection to Indian values, spirituality, and heritage. Her marriage to Maharaja Arvind Singh Mewar, the 76th Custodian of the House of Mewar, wasn't just the merging of two royal dynasties; it was the start of a deep partnership built on shared beliefs in tradition, humility, and the importance of public duty. Together, they have three children—Princess Padmaja, Princess Bhargavi, and Prince Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar.

More Than a Palace Queen

If you walk through the immense City Palace of Udaipur today, you’ll feel Maharani Vijayaraj’s influence not in the gold or the portraits, but in the pervasive spirit of service. Her vision has always stretched far beyond the palace courtyard, focusing especially on two key areas: education and social welfare. She played a crucial role in developing the Maharana Mewar Public School, one of Rajasthan’s most respected centers of learning. For her, education was the most fundamental form of empowerment. Equally close to her heart is the Shree Eklingji Trust, which safeguards the sacred temple of Lord Eklingji, the spiritual heart and family deity of Mewar. Even now, her faith is unshakeable; during festivals, her quiet, devoted presence at the temple speaks volumes about the spiritual center that has held this dynasty together for centuries.

Serene, Strong, and Spiritually Guided

Not many would know, Maharani Vijayaraj is a dedicated follower of the Bihar School of Yoga. For her, yoga is not just about poses; it's a philosophy that teaches balance—the ability to hold materialism and spirituality, and legacy and modernity, in equal measure. Those who know her well often describe her as having a "serene yet powerful" aura—a rare, perfect equilibrium that defines her every action.

A Modern Chapter: Prince Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar

If the family heritage is a burning torch, Prince Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar is the one carrying it forward today, successfully blending ancient tradition with modern, ambitious goals. As the Executive Director of the HRH Group of Hotels, he's turned royal residences like Shiv Niwas Palace and Fateh Prakash Palace into magnificent living experiences, allowing guests to walk through centuries of Udaipur's history. Through the Maharana Mewar Charitable Foundation (MMCF), the family continues to champion heritage preservation, education, and community welfare—values that are profoundly rooted in the Maharani’s own lifelong beliefs.

Quick Fact: Prince Lakshyaraj is also a Guinness World Record holder! He earned this distinction through massive social drives, including collecting thousands of clothes and books for underserved communities—a very modern, impressive echo of his mother’s enduring spirit of service.

Car Collections, Charisma, and Royal Trivia

No royal tale from Udaipur would be complete without a dash of sheer, mechanical splendor. The Mewar family’s Vintage and Classic Car Collection is the stuff of legend—a gleaming, jaw-dropping display of historic Rolls-Royces, Cadillacs, and Bentleys that once transported kings, diplomats, and VIPs. The annual Vintage Car Rally hosted by the family draws classic car fanatics from all over the world. Among their newer prized possessions is a Mahindra Thar 700, personally gifted to Prince Lakshyaraj by Anand Mahindra—a lovely symbol showing how heritage and innovation can happily drive side by side.

And here’s a tiny piece of trivia: one of their vintage Rolls-Royce Phantoms was used to ferry British officials during the colonial era and is still running absolutely perfectly today—it’s not just a mechanical masterpiece, it's a magnificent symbol of royal endurance.

The True Crown: A Life of Giving

Beyond the sparkle of chandeliers and silver thrones, Maharani Vijayaraj’s true crown jewel is her compassion. For decades, she has been the quiet force supporting causes that promote cultural preservation, education, and social welfare. Her philosophy is beautifully simple: nobility means nothing unless it’s used to genuinely uplift those who are less fortunate. Her belief system has profoundly shaped her children, especially Prince Lakshyaraj, whose philanthropic initiatives have positively impacted thousands of lives. Together, they have transformed the Mewar name into a potent symbol of genuine service rather than mere spectacle.

Grace in Silence, Strength in Simplicity

In a world obsessed with fame and spectacle, Maharani Vijayaraj intentionally chooses stillness. She almost never seeks the public spotlight, yet her influence flows through all of Udaipur—in the sacred temples she cares for, the schools she founded, and the family she continually guides. Her elegance doesn’t shout; it speaks. It’s heard in her quiet gestures, her profound gratitude, and her innate grace. She embodies a kind of royalty that simply cannot be manufactured or copied—because it comes from a deep, internal well of character.

The Unfading Soul of Mewar

Through her powerful yet gentle life, Maharani Vijayaraj Kumari Mewar quietly reminds us that true royalty isn't counted in jewels or crowns but in conduct, compassion, and continuity. Her entire journey reflects the three sturdy pillars that have supported Mewar for over a millennium: Seva (service), Sanskriti (culture), and Satya (truth). From the shimmering surface of Lake Pichola to the ancient halls of the City Palace, her spirit endures—a gentle, yet absolutely steadfast, reminder that dignity, when anchored by real purpose, never fades. Her story shows us the grandeur of India’s royal past in its most graceful, human, and timeless form.