The dispute over property worth Rs 10,000 crore has been going on for 42 years. Know why there is bitterness in the Mewar family again?

The mere mention of Mewar brings to life the heroic tales of Rajasthan, Rajputana traditions, the grandeur of its palaces, and centuries-old culture. This is the same Mewar that has never bowed down in history, forging its identity with its sword and honor. But today, this same Mewar is in the headlines due to an ongoing property dispute within itself. This dispute isn’t limited to land, palaces, and hotels, but also involves emotions, relationships, traditions, and a battle for succession that has brought a royal family to the courts.

The property dispute within the Mewar royal family did not emerge suddenly. Its foundations were laid decades earlier. Fissures in family relationships began to appear as early as the time of Maharana Bhagwat Singh Mewar. During that period, the royal system was gradually adapting to the legal and democratic framework of modern India. While the power of the kings had ended, property, trusts, and inheritance rights remained confined within the royal family.

Bhagwat Singh Mewar had three children: his eldest son, Mahendra Singh, his younger son, Arvind Singh, and his daughter, Yogeshwari Kumari. The family appeared united on the outside, but disagreements about authority and decision-making grew within.

Father and son came face to face in the year 1983

In 1983, Bhagwat Singh Mewar decided to sell and lease out the family properties. This decision was not accepted by his eldest son, Mahendra Singh, who believed that royal heritage should not be viewed commercially.

This disagreement created the first major rift in family relationships. Mahendra Singh challenged his own father’s decision in court. This marked the first time in the history of the Mewar royal family that a father and son had come face to face legally. This shook the foundation of trust within the family.

Will and the beginning of succession

Following this conflict, Bhagwat Singh Mewar became deeply displeased with his elder son. He gradually began transferring authority over property and trust management to his younger son, Arvind Singh Mewar. This marked the turning point where the succession battle began to take clear shape.

After Bhagwat Singh Mewar’s death on November 3, 1984, the dispute came to the fore. Petitions began to be filed in the courts regarding the will, trusts, and property rights. On one side was tradition and the eldest son’s claim, while on the other, the will and legal documents were relied upon.

The legal battle lasted for three and a half decades

This dispute didn’t end in just a year or two. The case dragged on for nearly three and a half decades in various courts. Generations passed, but the lawsuits remained unchanged. With each hearing, the value of the property increased, and the dispute grew more complex.

In 2020, the Udaipur District Court ordered the division of the properties into four parts. This decision was seen as a major turning point, but it was not the end of the dispute. Appeals and stay orders in the High Court and other higher courts prevented the decision from being fully implemented.

Clash between Arvind Singh Mewar and the new generation

Arvind Singh Mewar, who managed the family estate for years, is now facing a repeat of the same story. This time, the dispute is between a brother and a sister. On one side is Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, considered the heir to the Mewar family, and on the other, his sister, Padmaja Kumari Parmar.

The conflict between the two over the rights to the City Palace, the HRH Group of Hotels, and other properties has become public and a subject of judicial debate.

City Palace: Not just a palace, but a symbol of identity

Udaipur’s City Palace is not just a historical building. It is a living symbol of Mewar’s identity, pride, and tradition. The complex houses the Shambhu Niwas, the Durbar Hall, a museum, and numerous other historical structures. The palace served as a center of power for centuries and remains a major tourist and cultural heritage site. This is why the battle for ownership of the City Palace is not just about property, but also about prestige and identity.

Jag Niwas and Heritage Hotel in the middle of the lake

Located amidst Lake Pichola, Jag Niwas, now known as the Lake Palace, is one of the most beautiful heritage sites of the Mewar royal family. Today, the palace operates as a luxury hotel and is a major tourist attraction worldwide.

Additionally, palaces like the Shiv Niwas Palace and Fateh Prakash Palace have been renovated into heritage hotels. All of these properties are operated under the HRH Group of Hotels, which is estimated to generate revenues of crores of rupees annually.

Inheritance of property worth 10 thousand crores

The total value of the Mewar royal family’s movable and immovable assets is estimated to be in the thousands of crores of rupees. Some estimates put it at over ten thousand crores of rupees. However, due to their historical and cultural significance, it is difficult to determine the exact market value of these properties. This includes not only land and buildings, but also land held in trusts, museums, cultural institutions, and traditional heritage, all of which are worth far more than money.

Joint hearing in Delhi High Court

In January 2026, all related petitions were transferred to the Delhi High Court. The purpose was to consolidate the cases pending in different courts and hear them together. The Delhi High Court now hears the cases on the validity of the will, the nature of the properties, and the role of the trust arrangement.

This dispute isn’t limited to documents and law. It hides years of resentment, broken relationships, and incomplete communication. The royal family, once a united figure in Mewar, is now fighting for its rights in various courts. This situation is a message not only for the Mewar family but also for society: when inheritance issues can’t be resolved through dialogue, the courts become the last resort.