Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar of Udaipur passed away this morning at the age of 81. To many he was the Maharana of the erstwhile Princely State of Mewar/Udaipur. To others he was a member of the erstwhile Royal Family of Udaipur and descendant of the famed Maharana Pratap. This difference was because of an ongoing debate and dispute on, whether he was the Maharana and titular head of the clan, or was it his elder brother (who also passed away recently).

To me it never mattered if he was the Maharana or not. For me Shriji will always be the meticulous, knowledgeable and hardworking “Royal who Loved Cars” and someone who helped establish India’s first vintage and classic car museum – The Palace Udaipur Vintage & Classic Car Collection (VCCC), which was inaugurated on February 16, 2000 by Lord Montagu of Beaulieu, founder of the National Motor Museum in England.Today the Palace Udaipur Vintage & Classic Car Collection is a very well-known tourist landmark of Udaipur, with hundreds of tourists visiting it every day. The vegetarian thali restaurant at the VCCC also has a reputation of serving some fine Indian food. All thanks to Shriji’s vision and hard work.

Shriji or Arvind Singh as some prefer to call him, can also be credited for helping transform Udaipur into a world famous “Destination Wedding” destination. And I have no hesitation in saying that it was his visualization; determination and drive that has helped Udaipur become the globally popular tourist destination that it is today.  Although my relation (will take the liberty of calling it friendship) with him was not related to tourism, but our common passion for cars, I have on several occasions seen him discuss plans and go into the minutest detailing of events. Actually in my view, it is this attention to detail, and ability to get things done, that was in many ways the secret of Shriji’s success.

And I can confidently state that this also led to him winning the prestigious Lucius Beebe Trophy at the Concourse d’Elegance 2012 at Pebble Beach, USA. Initially he was not so keen to go for such a faraway event, which involved massive logistical challenges of preparing a car, shipping it, clearing it, and so on. But once I convinced him that Pebble Peach was one of the world’s most prestigious vintage and classic car events and since they were having a “Cars of the Maharaja’s Class” that year, it would be great if he took a car from India, he was completely gung ho and went about it in his typical super-efficient manner. Not only was the 1924 Rolls-Royce 20HP with chassis number GLK 21 properly restored, but he also performed a suitable havan and puja before it set sail for the US.

And as he was very media savvy and understood the importance of communication, he also convinced me to do a coffee table book on GLK 21 that he could give out at Pebble Beach, in order to ensure that he came back with a prize. Yes, he was determined that if we was going to Pebble beach, he would return as a winner and he left no stone unturned. He even had special outfit’s custom tailored for the event and also did a special photo-shoot with a famous car portrait photographer.

I roped in dear friend and automotive historian and writer/editor Gautam Sen, to help with the book and some believe that is was because of the well-researched history and vivid description of the life lived by GLK 21, that it won at Pebble Beach.  Both of us did the book on a gratis basis, but I did request and tell Shriji that I was extremely keen to drive GLK 21 with him on the Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance- an approximately 70 miles long drive that happens a couple of days before the actual Concourse and judging event. Shriji willingly agreed and even got his team to collect my international driving license, and other documents and so on. Tickets and hotels were booked, and all was set. But just a few days before our departure, and for reasons best known to him, Shriji changed his mind and decided that Britisher Graham Carter who had restored GLK 21would drive it, and I would follow in the support car. This was disappointing to say the least. and I pulled out from the event and Shriji, went on to win and of course the rest is history.

Those who know him also know that Shriji could be like that. If he liked you, he loved you. And his warmth, hospitality and even humility with people he liked, are the stuff legends are made of. But at the same time, the direction of favourable winds could also change, and change fast and sometimes for no real discernable reason. Having experienced both these sides of Shriji, I will say that that since the good was extremely good, that is what I will always remember him by.

For example the Royal Rajasthan Rolls- Royce Rally 2010. Soon after the event was announced, he graciously invited me and my wife Madhu to accompany him in the Palace Collections 1934 Rolls-Royce Phantom II 40-50hp. Shriji was determined we would be the fastest car and the first one to reach from Udaipur to Dungarpur, and we were.

He was skillful and pushy behind the wheel, and though I was on the edge and constantly asking him to slow down, he reminded me that he was also a pilot (aviation and flying were amongst his many hobbies) and that the Phantom had mechanical drum brakes, that were not known to fail, so he would apply them and slow down when required!Then just after passing a toll booth, we had an unscheduled halt. Shriji’s advance party had set up tables and chairs by the side of the road, and his immaculately attired staff gave us cold towels and served us chilled lassi in huge silver glasses. The white cloth covered tables were adorned with decorative flower vases, dry fruits, sandwiches, pastries, fresh fruits, mithai platters, and what not. A real “Royal Repast”. But Shriji who had been doing all the hard work and sweating while driving the big non air-conditioned Rolls-Royce weighing almost three tons, did not touch anything until Madhu and I were served first. He was that kind of host. Very attentive and hospitable.

Shriji was also the Chief Guest (when I was the managing editor) at the Auto India Best Brands Awards in 2011. And he not only spoke eloquently to an audience packed with the who’s who of the Indian Auto Industry, but also patiently heard the presentations and asked a lot of insightful questions. He was abreast with the latest technologies and international trends and everyone was most impressed with his knowledge. Shriji was like that. He could hold his own in any kind of gathering, be it cultural, corporate, or a celebrity driven one.

Shriji also prided himself on being a “Working Royal” and this I have seen and experienced from up close. He personally attended to all his correspondence and even drafted his own emails and letters. He was a hands-on Chairman cum manager of the HRH Group of Hotels and as I mentioned before, his attention to detail was remarkable. As was his memory.

A few years after our differences over the Pebble Beach drive thing, I realized that he could also change course and make up when he wanted to. He reached out warmly to me at a wedding, and invited me over, but sadly we never really got to catch up and spend time like before. First due to the couple of years of Covid driven isolation, and then he apparently had issues with his eyes and health. These last few years he was confined to the City Palace in Udaipur, and though I tried meeting him on more than one occasion, it could not happen.  However, I will always remember and fondly recall Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar as the “Royal who Loved Cars”. Rest in Peace Shriji, and thanks for the lovely times. It’s truly the “End of An Era”.