Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar was the Queen of Maratha who ruled the kingdom of Malwa. Ahilyabai established Maheshwar as the Capital city of the Holkar Dynasty.
In this article, we will know the history of Ahilyabai Holkar: The Queen of Maheshwar and Social Reformer who revived the Temples and Ghats of India.
History of Ahilyabai Holkar: The Queen of Maheshwar
In the year 1849, Scottish Poet Joanna Baillie writes, “In latter days from Brahma came, To rule our land, a noble dame, Kind was her heart and bright her fame, Ahilya was her honoured name” in honour of Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar, one of the greatest rulers of Malwa.
Basic Information about Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar:
| Full Name | Ahilya Bai Holkar |
| Coronation | 11th December 1767 |
| Reign | 1st December 1767 to 13th August 1795 |
| Born | 31st May 1725, Chondi village |
| Died | 13th August 1795, Indore |
| Parents | Father: Mankoji Rao Shinde Mother: Sushila Shinde |
| Spouse | Khande Rao Holkar |
| Children | Son: Male Rao Holkar Daughter: Muktabai |
Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar was a kind and brave ruler who worked towards the development and prosperity of her people. She was a proficient ruler and builder of Hindu temples. She constructed hundreds of Temples and Dharmashalas throughout India.
Two Pillar of support of Ahilyabai were her father Mankoji Rao Shinde, and her father-in-law Malhar Rao Holkar. Despite women’s education being a far cry in Indian villages, her father taught her to read and write.
In the year 1754, when her husband Khanderao was killed in the battle of Kumbher, Ahilya was about to commit Sati but her father-in-law Malhar Rao Holkar stopped her from being a Sati.
Early Life of Ahilyabai
Ahilyabai was born on 31st May 1725 in Chondi village of Jamkhed, Ahmednagar, Maharashtra. She was born into a Marathi family of Mankoji Rao Shinde (Father) and Sushila Shinde (Mother). Mankoji Rao Shinde was a village chief. He taught Ahilya to read and write despite women’s education being a far cry in Indian villages.
Ahilya does not come from a Royal lineage, Once Malhar Rao Holkar, commander of Maratha Peshwa, stopped in Chondi village on his way to Pune. There he saw a little girl doing Seva (Service) in the village temple. He liked the pious and down-to-earth character of the little girl.
Malhar Rao decided to ask her hand for his son Khanderao Holkar. Ahilya was married to Khande Rao Holkar in the year 1733 at the mere age of 8 years. During those days, child marriage was very common.
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But destiny had some different plans Khande Rao attained Veergati in the battle of Kumbher in 1754, leaving Ahilya a widow at just 29 years of age. Ahilya decided to commit Sati but her father-in-law Malhar Rao Holkar stopped her from being a Sati.
After his son’s demise, Malhar Rao trained Ahilya in Military Affairs. Things were not going well in the kingdom of Malwa Malhar Rao passed away in 1766.
Ahilya’s only son Male Rao became the new king under her regency in 1766, but he too died within a year in 1767. Ahilya could see her kingdom fall like a pack of cards, but then she decided to take things in her hand.
Ahilya didn’t let her pain and grief affect the administration of the kingdom and the lives of her people. She petitioned Peshwa Madhav Rao I to allow her to take the administration of Malwa into her hands.
Rule of Ahilyabai Holkar
Ahilya ascended the throne and became the ruler of the Malwa Kingdom on 11th December 1767. As the saying goes, you may not be someone’s first choice. There was a section in Malwa that objected to her assumption of the throne, but the Holkar faction of Malwa’s Army showed their support for Ahilya’s leadership.
She appointed Subhedar Tukojirao Holkar (Adopted Son of Malhar Rao Holkar) as her Military Head. Gangadhar Rao (Dewan of Malhar Rao Holkar) started a rebellion against Ahilya and instigated Raghunathrao, the uncle of Maratha Peshwa, to attack Indore.
Ahilya’s spies informed her about the encampment of Raghunathrao’s army at the banks of the river Shipra. She immediately wrote letters to Mahadji Scindia and Damaji Rao Gaekwad (Close aides of Malhar Rao Holkar) seeking their assistance.
Ahilya went into the battlefield and confronted Raghunathrao, seeing her courage and valour, Raghunathrao was frightened and retreated back by saying that he had come to offer his condolences to Ahilya for her loss.
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After Rajputs defeated the Marath Army led by Mahadji Scindia in the battle of Lalsot they marched towards the territory of Malwa. Ahilya defended Malwa from the Rajput raids with her intelligence and courage.
Development Works and Philanthropy of Ahilyabai Holkar
The family of Holkars was known for not using public money to meet their personal expenses. Ahilya followed the same path and never used public money for personal and family expenses and donated money from her personal resources to charity.
Indore saw a massive change in terms of development during Ahilya’s 30 years of rule. She transformed Indore from a tiny village to a flourishing and prosperous city.
The philanthropy of Ahilyabai reflects in the number of Temples, Ghats, wells, tanks and rest-houses stretching across the country. She revived and embellished various sites including Kashi, Gaya, Somnath, Ayodhya, Mathura, Haridwar, Kanchi, Avanti, Dwarka, Badrinarayan, Rameshwar and Jagannathpuri as recorded by the Bharatiya Sanskritikosh.
Ahilyabai Left For Her Heavenly Abode
Ahilyabai Holkar died on 13th August 1795 in Indore at the age of 70 years. The reign of Ahilyabai lasted for 30 years, during which perfect order and good Government prevailed, and the people of Malwa prospered.
Ahilyabai was succeeded by her Military Head, Tukoji Rao Holkar. He soon relinquished the throne in favour of his son Kashi Rao Holkar in 1797.
Legacy of Ahilyabai Holkar
Ahilya’s legacy lives on even after centuries in the form of Temples, Dharamshala and social work to which she dedicated her life. She helped widows retain their husband’s wealth and also allowed widows to adopt a son.
She was a caring and kind queen. In one instance, when her minister didn’t allow an adoption because he was not getting a bribe of his wish, she sponsored the child herself and gave him clothes and jewels.
On 25th August 1996, the Indian Government issued a commemorative stamp in honour of Ahilyabai Holkar. As a tribute to the Holkar queen, Indore’s domestic airport has been named Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport and the University of Indore was renamed Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya.
Conclusion
The history of Ahilyabai Holkar shows us that ups and down will come in life. There was a time when she was left alone but instead of giving up, she undertook the challenge of life. She didn’t let her pain and grief affect the administration of the kingdom and the lives of her people.
Ahilya transformed Indore from a tiny village to a flourishing and prosperous city in her 30 years of rule. She was a kind and brave ruler who worked towards the development and prosperity of her people.