As with nearly all ancient dynasties, the story of the Mewar kingdom is rooted in mythology. This historical dynasty was founded by Bappa Rawal in the later half of the 6th Century A.D. He was a descendant of the Guhilot Clan, originally from Anandpur Badanager in Gujarat. The kingdom of Mewar lies in what is now Rajasthan in Northern India; it was bestowed on Bappa Rawal in 734 A.D. by the great devotee of Lord Shiva (Shri Eklingji), Sage Harit Rashi of the Lakulish Cult. For the service to the state Harit Rashi declared four cardinal duties as guiding principles for Bappa Rawal and his successors : To follow the eternal principles of 'Manav Dharma' (Religion of Man) and preserve and perpetuate "Vedic Culture". As a service to God, the Creator of all life, to serve all his creations. Constantly to endeavour to keep the human soul awakened and alive, in order that 'Dignity of Man' is held to be of supreme importance. To help to recognise special status of the human being in the hierarchy of God's creations - the eternal principles underlying cosmic creation. There shall be no distinction nor any discrimination in the service of the people and it shall not be limited by either space or time. All things belong to God. The State of Mewar should be considered as belonging to Shri Eklingji. The Maharanas were to hold the State as a sacred Trust and the 'Diwan' (Representative) of Shri Eklingji perform all duties and obligations. Thus came into existence in the 6th century: the state of Mewar, the Institution of Maharana, the duties and obligations assigned to Maharana, and the concept of 'Kingship' as a 'Trusteeship'.

Painting depicting Bappa Rawal with Sage Harit Rashi. Founder of State of Mewar was based on the principle of Guru-Shishya (teacher-pupil) parampara. In this painting Sage Harit Rashi is entrusting the State of Mewar to Bappa Rawal. 524. A.D.

Mewar History: The State of Mewar and concept of Kingship, Trusteeship

Between the 10th and the 14th century A.D. members of the family established the following dynasties : in Rajasthan, in Kathiawar and Saurashtra (Modern Gujarat), in Central India and Maharashtra: Dungarpur, Banswara, Pratapgarh, Bhavnagar, Lathi, Rajpipla, Bharwani, Rampura, Sawantwadi, and Kolhapur (Family of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj) and the Rana Dynasty of Nepal.

Mewar is the land from where the deities and men jointly spread 'Manav Dharma' and the principles of self reliance and self-respect to the people of India as a whole.

There exists in the sacred land of Mewar, the abodes of the four major deities belonging to the different sects of the Hindus, along with Mosques and Churches, because equal protection, assistance and respect of all religions, and their followers, has been their principle.

Mewar's great Scholar-Saint, Maharaj Chatur Singhji Bavji describes the sacredness of the land in the following memorable couplet.

Ekling Girirajdhar Rishabdev Bhujchaar
Sumaron Sada Sneh so, Chaar Dham Mewar

Mewar History: Maharana

The Maharana has many titles given to him by the people and the country for the preservation of independence and self-respect, the most honorific being "Sun of Hindus" (Hindua Surya - The life and light of the people).

So far, seventy-five successive generations of Maharanas have strictly adhered to the directions given by Harit Rashi to Bappa Rawal.

In the true concept of 'Rulership' as expounded by the ancient shastra (Manu), the Ruler, the Maharana, was both the temporal and spiritual leader of the people.

Mewar had a unique pattern of administative and feudal relationship with people, which bound the Ruler, the nobles and the people in a unique bond, uniting them without disinction of caste, creed or religion, as one family, even in times of war.

When repeated invasions and internal onslaughts threatended to destory the freedom and culture of Mewar and its Rulers and her proud people - who continuously and ceaselessly fought for the preservation of independence and self-respect.

All along, Mewar, remained the source of inspiration for the forces of resistance from all over the country. Great heroes like Maharana Sanga and Maharana Pratap are looked upon as protectors of Indian culture, heritage and independence.

There is a general impression that the battles and wars fought by the Maharanas were communal but in fact religious harmony transcended these considerations as is proven by these examples.

1. Emperor Humayun came to assist Maharani Karnavati at Chittor as a result of the sacred bond of 'Rakhi' (535 A.D.)
2. Hakim Khan Sur, General of Maharana Pratap's army, fought in the Battle of haldi Ghati against the forces of Emperor Akbar led by Raja Man Singh of Jaipur, (1576 A.D.)
3. The Begums of Khan Khana, captured during war, were safely escorted back to Delhi with all dignity, (1580 A.D.)
4. Sultan Mahmud Khilji II of Malwa, taken prisoner by Maharana Sanga, was restored back to the Sultanate with honour, (1518 - 19 A.D.)
5. Prince Khurram, later Emperor Shah Jehan, was given shelter by Maharana Karan Singh in 1623 A.D.
6. During the Indian Mutiny of 1857, the wives and children of British officers and soldiers were brought from Neemuch to Udaipur and were given full hospitality and protection during the entire period of disturbances.

Mewar History: The history of the Maharana dynasty

The Maharanas have never stooped before temptation for peace and personal gain, or in the time of danger of extinction.

When physical wars became obsolete for subjugation, even in the times of psychological war of nerves, they never gave up or deviated from their principles.

During the time of Maharana Sajjan Singhji, an occasion arose when he was expected to present himself as a feudatory at the Durbar of Prince Edward Albert (later King Emperor Edward VII). He tactfully managed to avoid the meeting.

Another such situation arose when Maharana Fateh Singhji, was expected to present himself :

1. On the occasion of the Delhi Durbar by the then Viceroy, Lord Curzon, in 1903 to celebrate the accession of King Edward VII.
2. On the occasion of Durbar in Delhi on the visit of King George V in 1911.

But he bravely faced the situation and refrained from physical attendance on both occasions.

But there is no denying the fact that magnanimity, fair-mindedness and respect were shown by the British for the person who stood by his principles.

Mewar History: after 1947

"Today is a day to be greatly proud of, India is independent. It brings to fulfilment the 1400 years' struggle and endeavour of my forefathers. It becomes my holy duty on behalf of my ancestors to hand over to the leaders of free India, this cherished and sacred Flame of Freedom to the country as a whole. May this flame give inspiration to maintain the dignity of man, and perpetuate throughout the country the principles of self-reliance and self-respect with the same spirit and in the same form in which my forefathers have preserved them for centuries with blood; with the blessings of Shri Eklingji; and with the devotion of the freedom-loving people of Mewar. Today with great pride, devotion and humility, I pass on this Sacred Flame to India's first Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, as an offering at the altar of Bharat Mata."

Material wealth, however precious, must be shared, handed over or entrusted to others. As such, the State which had been protected with blood, toil and hardship, was offered at the altar of free India, an event unique and unparalleled in history.

On the integration of States and formation of Greater Rajasthan on April 14, 1949, His late Highness Maharana Bhupal Singhji was designated 'Maharaj Pramukh', an honour given to no other ruler, in recognition of the pre-eminent position of the ruler of Mewar as the acknowledged head of the Rajputs in India.

However, duties and obligations cannot, and should not be entrusted to others, particularly when they bear the sanctity of traditions and unbroken heritage of family, and even more so, of the Institution.

Mewar History: Maharana Bhagwat Singhji Mewar

He was invited by the late Honourable Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in 1956 to enter the Red Fort in Delhi as a symbol of the fulfilment of the vows of the Maharanas, and the ultimate victory of their struggles for the freedom of the country.

Because of continuous wars, Mewar State had never been very rich in material wealth. When His late Highness Maharana Bhagwat Singhji Mewar succeeded his father, everything was integrated. Laws of Estate Duty were brought into force and survival had become hard. Although the special rights and privileges of the Rulers had ceased to exist, in the changed circumstances prevailing in India after attainment of independence, he chose to work for and worship the principles of his ancestors.

Deeply conscious of the unique position to which he had succeeded, and with deep reverence to the family traditions and obligations inherited from the teachings of Harit Rashi, he ceaselessly strove to evolve new measures which would enable him to perpetuate the traditions of service to society in whatever form and to whatever degree in the prevailing circumstances it became possible. Maharana Mewar Foundation was created in 1969 as a means to achieve the objectives of preserving the age-old traditions and obligations of the Institution of Maharana; to encourage and preserve the spirit of self-reliance and self-respect and assist in the realization of the special status in the hierarchy of God's creations.

In a letter addressed by him on August, 11th 1970, to the then Prime Minister of India, Smt. Indira Gandhi, he said:

"I need not tell you that the Institution of Maharana has a history of fourteen centuties behind it. A history which is universally admitted as glorious and unsullied. I am merely its Trustee and servant, for such time as it pleases God. Please consider; and reflect for a moment, whether it would be worthwhile for me to live; whether I would deserve to live; whether those who value history and traditions would own me as an Indian, if I were to acquiesce in the derogation of this Institution. It is not my private possession; it belongs to the people. If the traditions created by the people of Mewar, or of any other place are not preserved, what will be there left to inspire the nation and invigorate our self-reliance, self-respect, and integrity?"

"Having said this and having personal regard for your esteemed father; and trusting in your sincerity let me assure you that you may ask for any sacrifice from me in person, and it shall be an honour for me to be of service to the country, save only that I cannot accept to be instrumental in any derogation of the Institution to which I belong. You have referred to hardship. "Well, hardships are to be endured, but not dishonoured."

At this point I will draw your attention to a certain statement and solution which I quote below :

"The interests of social well-being and progress demand that all citizens must co-operate and contribute. In the present context they (the Rulers) see no great difficulty in the gradual utilization of private wealth and income for public benefit and for the ultimate realisation of the ideal of Trusteeship. The convention unanimously favoured the idea of setting up funds or trusts for social service and public benefit. It was considered the most appropriate means for the steady achievement of the general aim in view".

I, for one, not only subscribe to the above, but have initiated it in practice by creating a charitable Foundation to which I have gifted the main Palace in Udaipur, and all the historical treasures of the past fourteen centuries, and Rupees 11 Lakhs in cash."

As one of the humble efforts to carry out the above objectives, the Scheme of Maharana Mewar Awards has been instituted.