Report - Living Heritage of Udaipur

From Royal Custodianship to Local Communities

By Shikha Jain, Director, DRONAH and Resource Person, MMCF (Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation)

Abstract

The city palace complex is a rare and exemplary living cultural heritage on one distinct count that sets it apart amongst the world’s most significant heritage sites. The palace complex showcases a unique commitment to a custodianship that transcends the historical and political boundaries of medieval kingship and modern democracy. This notion of custodianship has been defined and adapted across centuries until the present day with the sole objective of retaining and continuing the cultural significance of the city palace complex.

The origin of the Sisodia Rajputs, the rulers of Mewar dates back to 734 AD. Bappa Rawal, the founder of the dynasty gave a solemn promise to his guru that he and his descendants would protect and fulfil the sacred trusteeship of Eklingji (a manifestation of Lord Shiva) who would always be the real ruler of Mewar. As direct descendants of Bappa Rawal, all the Maharanas of Mewar are hereditary custodians of Eklingji and Mewar. The shrine of Eklingji is located about 22 km north of Udaipur, which is still protected and worshipped by the royal family and people of Mewar region. Thus the royal family of Mewar was founded upon principles of trusteeship, and the governance of the state of Mewar was based on the concept of ‘kingship’ as ‘trusteeship’.

An important regional entity, the City of Udaipur was the center for administration of erstwhile Mewar Kingdome for over 400 years. With its multiple layers of historical associations, it is a repository of Mewari art and architecture. Since the 17th century, the city palace as the genius loci of Udaipur has remained a venue for display and festivity on a number of events and festivals marking a confluence of the 1400 year old royal family and the people of Mewar to uphold the traditions and principles on which it was founded. This is a significant testimony to custodianship and continuity of cultural values till today.

It is the collective vision of the stakeholders that “The Living cultural heritage of Eternal Mewar shall continue to reverberate dynamically through this multifaceted city palace and the dynamic historic city of Udaipur by conserving its past and integrating the evolving needs of the people in a manner that accrues environmental, social and economic benefits for its future.

About the Living heritage of the City Palace

This is a value identified in the context of the city palace complex that is completely unique. It encompasses intangible values that need further emphasis for the present case, besides the social values earlier stated. In the case of most sites of heritage significance, there is a period

of prime glory, after which there is a phase of neglect, followed by its re-identification as a significant place. The case of the city palace complex differs as being valued continuously, which in itself is a value that needs to be addressed and emphasized.

In other words, the continuity value here is to mean the advantages of the site being valued throughout its existence, to the site itself and to the community, the traditions and events, traditional materials and technology which in turn further people’s associations with events and linkages.

As an example of Living Heritage traditions and use that continues since centuries

_ The site has seen continued patronage. Thus even as it’s earlier (administrative and residential) role came to an end with democracy, the custodianship was continued under MMCF as a foundation.

_ The continued custodianship reflects the way the site was used, maintained or taken care of, using the best known contemporary approaches as well as a continuity of traditional processes.

_ The city palace complex is significant for continuity of traditional building crafts and technology since few craftsmen associated with the palace have been retained over generations enabling this continuity.

_ The traditions that were associated with the life of the royal family have still been retained with reference to the city palace complex such as the annual celebration of regal festivals of Ashwa Poojan, Kartik Purnima and Holika Dahan, which see broader participation by the citizens too. The religious spot of Dhuni (flame) of Goswami Premgiriji Maharaj, the point of origin of the palace complex continues to be revered with the lighting of the flame.

_ The tradition of patronizing the arts and crafts of the region is being continued, as the palace complex has become a venue for annual arts and crafts market such as Rang.The Maharana Mewar Annual Awards ceremony in appreciation of contributions to art, architecture, education and culture of Mewar and to encourage local individuals to uphold cultural values and traditions. Infact, introduction of new events such as these awards have added another kind of continuity validating the historic site’s importance in the present day context.

_ The royal family has continued linkages with the site as patrons and users of the site. The temples within the complex are worshipped by the royal family till today and royal rituals are still carried out in the ritual courtyard of the city palace complex.

_ The functioning of the site as a museum for the city of Udaipur since 1969 till today illustrates the continuity of use in a meaningful manner.