Rajmata Vijayraj Kumari Mewar, a revered member of the former Mewar royal family of Udaipur, Rajasthan, passed away late on Monday, 15 September 2025, after a prolonged illness. She was 83. Her death has sent a wave of grief across Udaipur, the broader Mewar and Marwar regions, and among admirers across India and abroad who remembered her for her warmth, dignity, and decades-long commitment to public welfare.

A Life Rooted in Two Royal Lineages

Rajmata Vijayraj Kumari was born into the former royal family of Kutch, Gujarat, as the younger daughter of Maharaj Fateh Singh of Kutch and granddaughter of the Maharao of Kutch. Following her marriage, she became part of the illustrious Mewar royal family as the wife of the late Arvind Singh Mewar. She is survived by her son, Dr Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, a prominent social worker and educationist who represents the present generation of the Mewar family.

Her early education at the Franciscan Convent School in Ooty gave her a modern outlook that she carried throughout her life, even as she remained a steadfast custodian of Mewar's rich traditions and heritage.

Legacy in Education and Social Service

Among the most enduring pillars of Rajmata Vijayraj Kumari's public life was her commitment to education and women's empowerment. After settling in Udaipur, she took an active interest in expanding access to quality education, particularly for young people in the region.

Her association with Maharana Mewar Public School (MMPS) stands as one of her most significant contributions. During the 1980s, she played a pivotal role in the institution's development, steering it toward a modern, disciplined, and quality-focused educational model. Generations of students who passed through its halls went on to pursue higher education and professional careers, a legacy directly shaped by her involvement.

For those who knew her closely, education was never merely institution-building — it was, in her own vision, a means of creating opportunities and shaping futures.

The Final Journey

Following her death, the royal family and local administration made arrangements for her last rites in keeping with established traditions. Her funeral procession departed in the morning from Shambhu Niwas Palace, within the City Palace complex in Udaipur. A large gathering of citizens, members of social organisations, and dignitaries assembled at the palace to pay their final respects.

The procession then made its way to Mahasatiyaji at Ahar, the historic royal cremation ground of the Mewar family, where her last rites were performed with traditional rituals and a royal guard of honour. The scenes surrounding her final journey, as reported by those present, reflected the deep bond she had built with the people of Udaipur over several decades.

Condolence Gatherings Scheduled

A series of condolence gatherings, known as Tiye ki Baithak, will be held in her memory from 16 September to 23 September, daily between 2:00 pm and 3:00 pm, at Shambhu Niwas Palace in the City Palace complex. Political leaders, social organisations, and prominent figures from across India and abroad have offered their condolences, underscoring the breadth of her reach beyond Udaipur's boundaries.

End of an Era for Udaipur

Rajmata Vijayraj Kumari Mewar's life was defined by two interlocking themes: tradition and service. While she remained a custodian of the heritage associated with the Mewar family, her work in education and social welfare reflected a forward-looking, inclusive vision. For Udaipur, her passing is more than the loss of a former royal — it is the loss of a woman who, over several decades, became inseparable from the city's social and cultural identity. The manner in which her city turned out to bid her farewell is, perhaps, the most eloquent measure of her legacy.