Held at Manek Chowk in the magnificent backdrop of The City Palace, Udaipur, the grand ceremony started with ceremonial welcome for Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar of Udaipur, Chairman and Managing Trustee of Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation; Smt. Vijayraj Kumari Mewar, Mr. Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, Mrs. Nivritti Kumari Mewar and Miss Mohlakshika Kumari Mewar in the presence of who's who of the city. The singing of the National Anthem and patriotic tunes were played by The Palace Pipes and Drums Band, 12 Rajputhana Rifles' Pipes and Drums Band, Maharana Mewar Public School Pipes & Drums Band, 16 SIKH's Pipes and Drums Band and Maharana Mewar Public School Brass Band as "A Tribute to the Nation."

Guest from the army included Lt Gen RK Jagga, AVSM, VSM, GOC, 12 Corps; Maj Gen. O.P. Gulia, SM, VSM, GOC 12 RAPID; Brig. Peeyush Khurana, SM, Commander, Headquarters, 30 Infantry Brigade and Col. Sudhanshu Vashishtha, Commanding Officer, 16 Sikh

The Palace Pipes and Drums Band

During the reign of Maharana Bhim Singh (1778-1828) there was just a Bhim Paltan which was basically a police force and had its own band. The history of the modern day Palace Band can be traced back to Maharana Shambhu Singh (1861-1874). He founded the Shambhu Paltan and there was also a Shambhu Paltan Band as mentioned in Veer Vinod Part - I on Page 219. In January 1841 Maharana Sardar Singh (1838-1842) established the Mewar Bheel Corps with Headquarters at Kherwada about 100 kms south of Udaipur under the command of Captain William Hunter. This was created to efficiently maintain law and order in the Southern Belt of the State of Mewar. During the period of Maharana Sajjan Singh (1874-1884) the military force was organized more systematically and he founded The Sajjan Infantry. During the reign of Maharana Fateh Singh (1884- 1930) at Risala, Cavalry was founded which later got converted into Mewar Lancers during the 1st World War between 1914 to1918. The Risala also had its own band as mentioned in the Hakikat Bahida of Maharana Fateh Singh Part -II, Page 32. At Jahajpur, the Mewar State had a fullfledged Cantonment for the Risala as mentioned in the Hakikat Bahida of Maharana Fateh Singh Part - II, Page 32. During the visit of Lord Dufferin, the then Viceroy of India, to Udaipur in 1885, State troops with all their bands were lined up along the route taken by the Viceroy. The present Palace Band was started on 8th May 1988 by Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar.

The Palace Pipes and Drums Band

12 Rajputhana Rifles' Pipes and Drums Band

The Ichhamati Pipe Band was raised in January 1970 under the guidance of Colonel RD Dhawan the Second Commanding Officer of the Battalion. The personnel were drawn from the Regiments of Jat, Rajput, Kumaon and Rajputana Rifles. Since the Battalion was organized as "Insurgency Battalion" and deployed in Nagaland, the Band was sent to Rajputana Rifles Regimental Centre under Naib Subedar Tribhuwan Singh for practice. The band was recalled during 1971 War and had the honour of participating in it. During their tenure at Barrack pore (12 February 1972 to 17 December 1974) immediately after the War, the Ichhamati Pipe Band was raised to its full strength in terms of personnel, equipment and other paraphernalia.

The Battalion Pipe Band has participated in number of Regimental and Inter Battalion Competitions and had a unique opportunity of presenting the Guard of Honour to Dr Shankar Dayal Sharma, the then Honourable President of India at Jaipur on 08th April, 1993.

12 Rajputhana Rifles' Pipes and Drums Band