Udaipur, September 15, 2026: Udaipur is mourning the loss of Rajmata Vijayraj Kumari Mewar, a respected member of the former royal family of Mewar, who passed away on September 14 at the age of 83 following a prolonged illness. Her death marks the passing of a woman who, beyond her royal lineage, was closely associated with education, philanthropy and the social life of Udaipur.
Born on December 21, 1942, Vijayraj Kumari came from the former royal family of Kutch. She was the younger daughter of Maharaj Fateh Singhji of Kutch and granddaughter of the Maharao of Kutch. She received her education at a Franciscan convent in Ooty, where she developed an early appreciation for discipline and the importance of education.
Her life took a significant turn when she married Maharaj Arvind Singh Mewar in 1972 and became part of the Mewar family. Together, they had three children, including their son Dr. Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, along with daughters Bhargavi Kumari and Padmaja Kumari. Arvind Singh Mewar passed away in March 2025.
But Vijayraj Kumari’s identity in Udaipur was never limited to being a member of the royal household. Over the decades, she became associated with several philanthropic and educational initiatives connected with the City Palace and the wider Mewar community.
A strong connection with education
One of the most enduring parts of Rajmata Vijayraj Kumari’s legacy was her association with education.
During the 1980s, she played an important role in the development of the Maharana Mewar Public School, helping the institution develop a more professional outlook and strengthen its educational commitment towards the people of Udaipur. Her association with the school reflected her belief that education could become a powerful instrument of social development.
Her own early education had given her a strong grounding in discipline and learning. Later, after settling in Udaipur, she continued to remain closely interested in educational development and initiatives that could benefit younger generations.
For her, education was not simply about establishing an institution. It was about creating opportunities and preparing young people for the future.
A life devoted to service
Rajmata Vijayraj Kumari was also known for her association with philanthropic activities emanating from the City Palace.
The official profile of the former Mewar royal household describes her as a pillar of strength and support for philanthropic initiatives and notes her involvement with charitable trusts and activities connected with the preservation and welfare of the community.
She was particularly interested in education and its wider social consequences, while also extending her support to initiatives connected with women and community welfare.
Her life thus represented a quieter form of public service. Rather than seeking the spotlight, she remained associated with institutions and initiatives that worked over the long term.
From Kutch to Mewar
There was also something significant about the journey of Vijayraj Kumari herself.
She was born into the royal family of Kutch and eventually became part of the House of Mewar. Her marriage brought together two historic Rajput royal traditions, but her life in Udaipur evolved beyond questions of lineage.
Her years in Udaipur were shaped by the city’s traditions, institutions and people. She became part of the social and cultural fabric of Mewar while retaining the values with which she had grown up.
Her experiences outside India in the 1960s also broadened her understanding of the social and economic changes taking place internationally. According to her official profile, these experiences strengthened rather than weakened her connection with Indian values and spirituality.
Her final journey
Rajmata Vijayraj Kumari passed away late on September 14 after a prolonged illness.
On September 15, her final journey began from the City Palace in Udaipur. Citizens, members of social organisations and dignitaries gathered to pay their respects as the funeral procession made its way to Mahasatiyaji at Ahar, the historic cremation ground associated with the Mewar royal family. Her final rites were conducted with traditional rituals and a royal guard of honour.
Her passing has brought together memories of a woman who occupied a distinctive place in Udaipur’s social and cultural life.
Remembering Rajmata Vijayraj Kumari
For many, Rajmata Vijayraj Kumari will be remembered first for her connection with the Mewar royal family. But her legacy extends beyond the title of Rajmata.
She belonged to a generation that witnessed enormous changes in India, from the final decades of the princely era to a rapidly transforming modern nation. Within that changing landscape, she chose to remain connected with education, philanthropy and the preservation of values and institutions.
Her contribution to the Maharana Mewar Public School during the 1980s remains among the clearest examples of that commitment. Her support for charitable and social initiatives added another dimension to a life otherwise often viewed through the lens of royal heritage.
The story of Rajmata Vijayraj Kumari is therefore not simply the story of a royal woman. It is the story of a woman who moved between two historic royal traditions, made Udaipur her home and devoted much of her later life to causes she believed could strengthen society.
As Udaipur bids her farewell, the city remembers not only the Rajmata who occupied a respected place in the House of Mewar, but also the woman who believed in education, service and the responsibility that comes with privilege.
Her legacy will remain intertwined with the institutions and people she supported, and with the enduring history of Mewar that she became a part of more than five decades ago.