The archives at the Maharana Mewar Research Institute in Udaipur contain some amazingly detailed ‘Daily Diaries’ in which are recorded all the activities of Maharana Bhupal Singh. These well preserved diaries show who the ruler of the State of Udaipur (Mewar) met, what business was transacted, when he ate, when he rested, etc.
The diaries have dates as per both the Hindu and Western calendar, and what’s most interesting is that quite often even the planetary and lunar positions of that particular day are recorded.
What is even more fascinating is that the diaries actually show the date (20-11-1935) and time on which the car dealer Mohan Lal Sanghi of Jodhpur came to meet Maharana Bhupal Singh with regards to Rolls-Royce GLK 21.
It was a Wednesday, and there was a dark half of the moon. There is also a record of when the Maharana took a test drive of GLK 21 and clinched the deal. The diaries also have details of what dress Maharana Bhupal Singh was wearing at that time!
Some of the diaries also have captivating records of shikar trips with details of who shot what. The diary includes a remarkable entry of the Maharana watching a fight between his domestic elephants. The diaries reflect Maharana Bhupal Singh’s love for his Rolls-Royces and have details of when he went for a drive and the exact route he took.
Dear Diary, what a day it’s been…