Mewar

Mewar is a historic region and former princely state in southern Rajasthan, India. It denotes the kingdom ruled by the Sisodia Rajputs, centered originally on Chittorgarh Fort and later on Udaipur after the 16th century. The term is used for both the medieval territory and the later princely state that existed under British suzerainty.

The origins of Mewar are linked to the Sisodia dynasty, with tradition pointing to Bappa Rawal as a founder in early medieval times. Chittorgarh functioned as the capital for much of the medieval period until it was captured by the Mughal Empire in the 16th century. Udai Singh II established the new capital of Udaipur in 1559, after the fall of Chittorgarh.

In its high medieval and early modern phase, Mewar played a prominent role in resisting foreign invasions. Rana Sanga led a major confederation against the Delhi Sultanate and later faced Mughal expansion. Maharana Pratap, who reigned in the latter half of the 16th century, is renowned for his resistance to Mughal rule and the Battle of Haldighati in 1576; although defeated, his forces continued to contest Mughal dominance for years. Over the following centuries, Mewar maintained a degree of autonomy within the expanding Mughal and later Rajput state apparatus.

In the 19th century, Mewar became a princely state under British suzerainty, with its capital at Udaipur. It joined the Indian Union after independence in 1947 and was incorporated into the state of Rajasthan in 1949.

Culturally, Mewar contributed to the Mewar School of Rajput painting and banners of architecture, including Chittorgarh Fort and the City Palace in Udaipur. The region is noted for its forts, palaces, and a tradition of courtly arts and chivalric history.