The City Palace Preface

Surya Prakash

Surya Prakash was built by Maharana Swarup Singh (r. 1842 - 1861 CE) as an enclosed gallery on the first floor of the Swarup Vilas with a series of cusped arches overlooking the Manek Chowk. The gallery links the Bheem Vilas with the Pitam Niwas.

The west wing comprises of a blank wall with a covered passage behind built in early 20th century to allow linkage with the Zenana Mahal. Swarup Vilas is a gallery on the same level as Mor Chowk. The gallery functions as a back passage during cultural performance and events in the Mor Chowk. East wing (two floors) built in the 19th century. Used as museum passage since the late 20th century. It got a fairly high historic and architectural significance.

The small and increased number of opening with multi foliated cusped arches in both galleries vary slightly in style and scale but both are typical architectural style developed by Maharana Swarup Singh in 19th century. Even the roof of the passage crowned by a series of close oblong chatris is unique to this period.

View from Surya Prakash, The City Palace, Udaipur
Photographer: Unknown Photographer
Process: Gelatin silver print
Period: c. 1947- 1960,
Accession no. 2009.10.0102-00005
Image Courtesy : The City Palace Museum, Udaipur ©MMCF

Surya Prakash, The City Palace, Udaipur

Philanthropy

Scholarships and Grants

The Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation (MMCF) has established scholarships and grants as a critical component of its philanthropic mission, representing one of the organization's most significant charitable expenditures. By providing direct donations across multiple domains such as scholarships, endowments, pension schemes, and medical aid, the foundation fulfills its core objectives of promoting excellence and supporting those in need. The organization's approach is fundamentally rooted in fairness and non-discrimination, ensuring that both male and female applicants are treated equitably, with selection based purely on merit and genuine requirement rather than personal favoritism.

In December 2024, the trust extended support to Saniya Khan, a Class XII student of Maharana Mewar Public School, to support her educational pursuits.

Charitable Dispensary and Medical Aid

Medical aid stands as a cornerstone of the Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation's (MMCF) humanitarian efforts. The foundation operates a year-round charitable dispensary within the City Palace, providing free medical consultations and medicines to economically disadvantaged individuals who cannot afford private healthcare. In the final months of 2024, the dispensary demonstrated its commitment to community welfare by treating a total of 834 patients - 523 in November and 311 in December