Ahilyabai Holkar

Ahilyabai Holkar (Marathi pronunciation: [əɦɪljɑbaɪ]; 31 May 1725 – 13 August 1795), also spelled Ahalya Bai, was the Rajamata of Indore, within the Maratha Confederacy. She established Maheshwar (in Madhya Pradesh) as the seat of the Holkar Dynasty. Remaining firmly in the hearts of Indians, she has become a household name for her good governance, social welfare, humanitarian work, and religious, educational and cultural developments. The various temples, Ghats and Dharmshalas built during her period express Indian architecture and its various features. Ahilyabai's charitable endowments spread not only in the Malwa region but across India.. Seeing the temples, Ghats and Dharamshala buildings standing without a name, the Indian mind remembers the name of Rajamata Ahilyabai. She is seen more as a Sadhvi than as a queen and as the great ruler of Malwa. She is also known as the Queen of Temples . Sadhvi who did not grieve for the hardships she faced in life (she lost her husband and two children at a young age), did not rush, did not lose devotion in religious work and maintained her state of consciousness and strived for the elevation of Indian culture.

Ahilyabai Holkar
Portrait of Ahilyabai Holkar holding a Lingam.
Rani of Indore
Reign	1 December 1767 – 13 August 1795
Coronation	11 December 1767
Predecessor	Male Rao Holkar
Successor	Tukojirao Holkar
Regent of Indore
Regency	20 May 1766 – 5 April 1767
Subedar	Male Rao Holkar
Born	(1725-05-31)31 May 1725 Chondi, Maratha Confederacy (present-day Ahmednagar District, Maharashtra, India)
Died	13 August 1795(1795-08-13) (aged 70) Rajwada, Indore, Indore State, Maratha Confederacy (present-day, Madhya Pradesh, India)
Spouse	Khande Rao Holkar
Issue	Male Rao Holkar (son) Muktabai (daughter)
Names Ahilya Bai Sahiba Holkar
House	Holkar
Father	Mankoji Shinde
Mother	Sushila Shinde
Religion	Hinduism

After the demise of her husband Khande Rao Holkar and father-in-law Malhar Rao Holkar, Ahilyabai herself undertook the affairs of the Holkar dynasty. She defended the Indore state against intruders and personally led armies into battle, with the Tukoji Rao Holkar as her military commander.

Early Life and Marriage

Ahalyabai was born to Mankoji Shinde and Sushila Shinde in Chaundi village (now Ahmednagar district) in Maharashtra. This is a Marathi Hindu family, five brothers in total. Father was a descendant of a respected Dhangar (Gadaria) family. Mankoji Shinde serves as the Patil of the village . Home is the first school. After getting married and taking charge of Malwa province, She had five brothers whom she took up in military service in 1779 C.E, with Jagir of one lakh rupees.

According to a legend, she rose to prominence when Malhar Rao Holkar, a commander in the army of Maratha Peshwa Baji Rao and ruler of Malwa, stopped in Chandi on his way to Pune and saw the eight-year-old Ahilya at a temple service in the village. Impressed by her piety and character, Malhar's son, Khande Rao Holkar, married Ahilya on the Peshwa's advice. She married Khande Rao in 1733 when she was 8 years old. In 1745 C.E. she gave birth to a baby boy Maloji Holkar and in 1748 Muktabai Holkar was born to them.

Early Life and Marriage

Ahalyabai was born to Mankoji Shinde and Sushila Shinde in Chaundi village (now Ahmednagar district) in Maharashtra. This is a Marathi Hindu family, five brothers in total. Father was a descendant of a respected Dhangar (Gadaria) family. Mankoji Shinde serves as the Patil of the village . Home is the first school. After getting married and taking charge of Malwa province, She had five brothers whom she took up in military service in 1779 C.E, with Jagir of one lakh rupees.

According to a legend, she rose to prominence when Malhar Rao Holkar, a commander in the army of Maratha Peshwa Baji Rao and ruler of Malwa, stopped in Chandi on his way to Pune and saw the eight-year-old Ahilya at a temple service in the village. Impressed by her piety and character, Malhar's son, Khande Rao Holkar, married Ahilya on the Peshwa's advice. She married Khande Rao in 1733 when she was 8 years old. In 1745 C.E. she gave birth to a baby boy Maloji Holkar and in 1748 Muktabai Holkar was born to them.

Rise of The Holkar Family

Malhar Rao Holkar has already risen both in fame and fortune. From the shepherd boy, he had risen to the Subhedar over a territory comprehending thirty parganas yielding an annual revenue of seven lakhs and more.  From 1748 C.E. onwards Sarkar Malhar's position in Malwa became firm.  he played the role of kingmaker in northern and central India.  By 1750 C.E. Peshwa's became the defacto rulers of Martha's confederacy and "De facto" ruler thereof.  Various grants were received by Sarakar Maralhar Rao from the Peshwa government, in the shape of Mokasa, Sardeshmukhi, kamavishee and Patilki in recognition of the service rendered him to the Martha empire. His land lay north of the Narmadha, they stretched on both sides of Sahyadri .  By the Year 1751, he planted his footsteps in the united provinces and was recognized as a surety to carry agreement entered into by the Mogul emperor on one land and the Peshwa on the other. by 1753 Malhar Rao had grown indispensable to his master Peshwa and a friendly treaty was signed between them

Indoctrination

Malhar Rao was leading armies debating in chambers of diplomacy, managing the finances of kingdoms and, grappling with the problems of empire (both Mughals and Peshwa).  Those observant eyes every day event was educational and training of a practical nature. There is no tangible evidence to show how far the events were training up.  The future female ruler of Malwa. From 1754 C.E. from the letter correspondence from Malhara Rao(translated from Marathi), we can see that she was actively involved and guided by her father-in-law Ahilyabai accompanied Khande Rao on many campaigns. Throughout her married life, she was brought up by her mother-in-law, Gautama Bai, who is credited today for the values instilled in Ahilya. She trained her in administration, accounts, and politics, and eventually handed over her Khasgi Jagir in 1759.

A letter to her from Malhar Rao in 1765 illustrates the trust he had in her ability when sending her on a military expedition to Gwalior with huge artillery:

"...proceed to Gwalior after crossing the Chambal. You may halt there for four or five days. You should keep your big artillery and arrange for its ammunition as much as possible... The big artillery should be kept at Gwalior and you should proceed further after making proper arrangements for it's expenses for a month. On the march you should arrange for military posts to be located for protection of the road."

This letter clearly shows that not only was Ahilyabai militarily trained, she was also considered capable enough to run civil and military affairs. When Ahmad Shah Durrani invaded Punjab in 1765, Malhar Rao was busy fighting the Abdali-Rohilla army in Delhi. During the same time, Ahilyabai captured the Gohad fort (near Gwalior)

Death of Kahnde Rao

In 1754 C.E, Khande Rao, alongside his father Malhar Rao Holkar, laid the siege of Kumher fort of Jat Raja Suraj Mal of Bharatpur on request of support from Imad-ul-Mulk and the Mughal emperor Ahmad Shah Bahadur's general Mir Bakhshi. Suraj Mal had sided with the Mughal emperor's rebellious wazir Safdar Jang. Khande Rao was inspecting his troops in an open palanquin during the battle when a cannonball fired from the Jat army hit him, leading to his death. After the death of her husband, Ahilyabai was stopped by her father-in-law from committing sati. After the demise of her husband, she was rained in military affairs by Malhar Rao Holkar.

After her husband Khande Rao's death, Ahilyabai had given up all desires of life and decided to perform Sati to accompany her husband at his funeral pyre. People requested her not to commit Sati, but she said her husband had pledged to accompany her lifelong, and now he has left midway. When she had made up her mind to perform Sati and was not relenting, it was finally her father-in-law Malhar Rao who made fervent emotional appeals to stop her. He said:

"Daughter, my son left me whom I raised with a hope that he would support me in my old age. Now, will you also leave me, an old man, alone to be drowned in the fathomless ocean? ... Will you also leave me without any support? Still, if you don't want to change your mind, let me die first."

Aftermath of The Battle of Panipat

Undaunted by the reversal of Third Battle of Paniath in 1761 C.E. Subhedar Malhar Rao commenced his operation to re-establish the Martha supramacy in Northern and Central India.  The house of Peswa's was divided against itself.  Nizam of Hyderabad was trying to take advantage of this situation.  Almost all the valiant companions of Malahr Rao had fallen on the field of Panipat.  Youngsters were enticed away by Nizam with the promise of Jagirs.  Malhar  Rao succeded in re-establishing the Maratha supremacy in the North, uniting young Marathas under the banner of Peshwa Madhava Rao II.  In this effort, he died on 20 May 1766 C.E. at Alampur in full harness.

Reign

Maheshwar Fort

Malhar Rao's grandson and Khande Rao's only son Male Rao Holkar became the ruler of Indore in 1766. he was 21 year old when he received investiture from the Peshwa on 23 Aug 1766 C.E. with full powers and undiminished territory on condition of rendering faithful service to Peshwa.  Maloji's life was cut short and died on 5 April 1767 after a reign of hardly 8 months.  Tukoji Rao Holkar (adapted son of Malhar Rao) was then invested with the power of Subehdar on the payment tribute of Rs 16,62,000.  He has to serve Peshwa in all his campaigns as before.  Ahilyabai became the "De facto"ruler.

State records show that he faced rebellion from neighboring states while taking over. Mainly from Candrawats of Jaipur. Rising Subedar Tukoji Rao Holkar was out of Malwa region. Under the Peshwa there was the necessity of fighting in different provinces. Every Maratha household was battered by the terrible aftermath of the Battle of Panipat. Every house had lost a son in the battle. The Peshwa was working hard to rebuild the empire. Devi Ahalyabai fought at all those levels from her own experience with unaided resources and on moral grounds. She was victorious in every battle . Personal life was far from pleasant, according to state records in 1780 CE. After the death of his daughter Muktabai, her 16-year-old son died in sati after her husband's death.

Administration

In those times, the state administration was two-sided, military and civil.  The military side was again bifurcated, Tukoji Rao Holkar was the Subedar, and he had to serve Martha.  Devi Ahilyabai however was not a mute looker-on.  At times, she showed stuff she was composed of.  She was proud to proclaim, "I am the daughter-in-law of Malhar Rao".  The Saranjamdar system established by Malhar Rao was efficient and was recognized by the Puna authorities.  Saranjamdar was a "camp within a camp" complete by itself. The state records involuntarily reveal the diplomatic and administrative skills exhibited by Devi. Justice administration was soft but speedy, practical yet spiritual, restraining yet re-forming.

She transformed Indore into a progressive city, and build industries and universities. The government of India issued a stamp on 25 August 1996 in celebration of the 200th death anniversary. The Indore airport is named after Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport. The city of Indore named the university Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya. Not merely in her State but indeed in other parts of India she is credited with promoting activities including repair and additions to several famous temples such as Kashi Viswanath Mandir at Varanasi, Gouri Somnath Mandir at Chola and the construction of the famous Dashashwamedh Ghat at Banaras.

Indore not only became a major city but also built industries and universities . The Government of India issued a postal stamp in honor of Sadhvi's 200th death anniversary on 25 August 1996. Presently the airport at Indore is named "Devi Ahalya Bai Holkar Airport". The university in Indore city is named as Devi Ahalya University. Not only in her own state but also across India, she is credited with arranging the supply of Ganga water for temples, shrines, Ghats, temple donations, endowments and annual pujas. She is credited with promoting activities including the repair and addition of several famous temples, notably the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi, the Gauri Somnath Temple in Chola and the construction of the famous Dashashwamedha Ghat in Banaras.

Charities and endowments

The Rajwada Palace was the official residence of the Holkars during the reign of Ahilyabai.

The Holkar family was known for avoiding using public cash to meet their personal and family expenses. They possessed their personal funds, which they had accumulated through their private property. Ahilyabai inherited personal funds estimated at sixteen crores rupees at that time. Ahilyabai donated money from her personal resources to charity. The charities of the Devi Ahilyabai in her territory as well as throughout the Bharata Kanda are too well known. A well-documented account of the expenditure can be found in the "Devasthan classification list 1923 by the Holkar government".  The Holkar government appointed a "Devastahan officer" who travelled far and wide and collected information on the spot.

The arrangments made by Devi Ahilya at all the sacred were shown in the below table

Charities connected with the Jyotir-Lingas

Sl No	Name of the Linga	Geographical situation.	Description of eharity.	Authority for statement.
1	Shree Somanath	Kathiawad, on the sea side.	In 1786 A. D. The idol was re-installed	Maheshwar Durbar Batmipatre. Part II, P.87
2	Shree Mallikarjuna.	Dist. Karnul Madras Presidency.	Temple was built.	State Record.
3	Shree Onkareshwar.	Central India (on the Narbada bank.)	House for Drums, Flower-garden, Palanquin,  Boat, Silver-idol	State Record.
4	Shree Vaijnath.	Nizam’s State	In 1784 A. D. The temple was re-built.	Bharat Itihasa Shanshodliak Mandal Report Shak 1834, Bhadrapad Number.
5	Shree Nagnath.	Nizam’s State	In 1784 A, D. Annual payment of Rs. 81/- for 1 worship.	State Record.
6	Shree Vishwanath	Benares	(1) Mankarnikaghat (2) Re-installation of Kashi- Vishwanath. (3) 6 Private temples. (4) Temple of the Ganges and 3 temples on the Ghat. (5) Shree Tarkeshwar temple. (6) Dashaswarnedha Ghat. (7) Female Mankarnika Ghat. (8) Dharmashala Rameshwar. (9) Dharmashala Kapildhara. (10) 9 Private Bungalows. (11) Garden-field. (12) Plinth on Shitala Ghat. (13) Dharmashala Uttar Kashi. (14) Establishment ofBramha-puri.	State Record.
7	Shree Trimbakeshwar.	Nasik District.	Bridge of Kushawarta-Ghat	State Record.
8	Shree Ghirishneshwar	Verul Nizam’s State	Re-built Shivalaya Tirth.	Bharat I.S.M. R. Shak 1838,
	Shree Gokarna.	On the Western sea. Madras Presidency.	(1) Alms-House.	State Record.
	Shree Mahakaleshwar	Ujjain (Central India)	Worship of the Linga on the Mahashivratra night, and food distribution on the day following.	State Record.
	Shree Rameshwar	Madras Presidency.	Alms-House. Wells. Shree Radha-Krishna temple.	State Record.
	Shree Bhima-Shankar	Bombay Presidency.	Alms-House,	State Record.

Sapta Puri and Char Dham

Sapta puri (seven cities) and Char Dham(four quarters) were looked up eventually by Hindus of all castes and creeds in worship and pilgrimage.

Dwarka: she built a Almshouse

Ujjain(Avantika): she built four Mandir and a charitable building

Kanchipuram: Ganga water annually sent

Mathura: she built a Mandir 2 Ghat and one charitable building

Ayodhya: She built 4 Ram Mandir and 3 charitable buildings

Haridwar(Maya): a Ghat and a charitable house

Varanasi: Refer the above table

Char Dhama - four quadrants of Aryavarta

Badrinath: 5 Dharmashalas and eight charity buildings

Jagnath (Puri): A temple, Almhouse and garden land

Conclusion

Here we see the various charities of Devi Ahilyabai extending throughout the length and breadth of Bharatakhanda. In the book HOLKAR STATE HISTORY VOL. II Life and Life’s-Work of Devi Shree Ahilyabai ( 1725-1795 A. D.)page 42 there are worship expenses

Various temples Ghats and rest houses built during her time exhibit Indian architecture and the various features of different schools.  They became so many training grounds for young Indian architecture.  Not only in her territory but throught the whole of India. The aspects of Devi Ahilyabai charity reveal and resuscitation of Thirthas and Kshetras.

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  Current Kashi Vishwanath Temple built by Ahilyabai in 1780.
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  The current structure of Vishnupad Temple, Gaya, Bihar is built by Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar in 1787
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  Ahilya Ghat, Varanasi
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  Manikarnika Ghat in varanasi
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Death

Ahilyabai died on 13 August 1795 at the age of 70. Ahilyabai was succeeded by her commander-in-chief and nephew, Tukoji Rao Holkar, who soon abdicated the throne in favour of his son Kashi Rao Holkar in 1797.

Legacy

Statue of Ahilybai Holkar, Maheshwar, Madhya Pradesh

Ahilyabai 1996 stamp of India

"The reign of Ahilyabai, of Indore in central India, lasted for thirty years. This has become almost legendary as a period during which perfect order and good government prevailed and the people prospered. She was a very able ruler and organizer, highly respected during her lifetime, and considered as a saint by a grateful people after her death."

— Jawaharlal Nehru, The Discovery of India (1946)

"For thirty years her reign of peace,
The land in blessing did increase;
And she was blessed by every tongue,
By stern and gentle, old and young.
Yea, even the children at their mother's feet,
Are taught such homely rhyming to repeat.
In latter days from Brahma came,
To rule our land, a noble Dame,
Kind was her heart and bright her fame,
And Ahilya was her honored name."

— Joanna Baillie, English Poem (1849)

Collecting oral memories of hers in the 1820s, Sir John Malcolm, the British official most directly concerned with the 'settlement' of central India, seems to have become deeply enamored of her.

"Ahilyabai's extraordinary ability won her the regard of her subjects and of the other Maratha confederates, including Nana Phadnavis. With the natives of Malwa ... her name is sainted and she has styled an avatar or Incarnation of the Divinity. In the soberest view that can be taken of her character, she certainly appears, within her limited sphere, to have been one of the purest and most exemplary rulers that ever existed."

— John Malcolm, A Memoir of Central India

"This great ruler in Indore encouraged all within her realm to do their best, Merchants produced their finest clothes, trade flourished, the farmers were at peace and oppression ceased, for each case that came to the queen's notice was dealt with severely. She loved to see her people prosper, and to watch the fine cities grow, and to watch that her subjects were not afraid to display their wealth, lest the ruler should snatch it from them. Far and wide the roads were planted with shady trees, and wells were made, and rest-houses for travelers. The poor, the homeless, the orphaned were all helped according to their needs. The Bhils who had long been the torment of all caravans were routed from their mountain fastnesses and persuaded to settle down as honest farmers. Hindu and Musalman alike revered the famous Queen and prayed for her long life. Her last great sorrow was when her daughter became a Sati upon the death of Yashwantrao Phanse. Ahalya Bai was seventy years old when her long and splendid life closed. Indore long mourned its noble Queen, happy had been her reign, and her memory is cherished with deep reverence unto this day."

— Annie Besant

"From the original papers and letters, it becomes clear that she was the first-class politician, and that was why she readily extended her support to Mahadji Shinde. I have no hesitation in saying that without the support of Ahilyabai, Mahadji would never have gained so much importance in the politics of northern India."

— Historian Judunath Sarkar

"Definitely no woman and no ruler are like Ahilyabai Holkar."

— Nizam of Hyderabad

"It reveals beyond doubt that all ideal virtues described by Plato and Bhattacharya were present in her personalities like Dilip, Janak, Shri Ram, Shri Krishna, and Yudhishthir. After thorough scrutiny of the long history of the world, we find only one personality of Lokmata Devi Ahilya that represents an absolutely ideal ruler."

— Arvind Javlekar

John Keay called her 'The Philosopher Queen', a reference perhaps to the 'Philosopher king' Bhoj.

"Ahilyabai Holkar, the 'philosopher-queen' of Malwa, had evidently been an acute observer of the wider political scene. In a letter to the Peshwa in 1772, she had warned against association with the British and likened their embrace to a bear-hug: "Other beasts, like tigers, can be killed by might or contrivance, but to kill a bear it is very difficult. It will die only if you kill it straight in the face, Or else, once caught in its powerful hold, the bear will kill its prey by tickling. Such is the way of the English. And in view of this, it is difficult to triumph over them."

— John Keay, India: A History (2000)

"The Great Maratha lady who affords the noblest example of wisdom, goodness, and virtue. Akbar is among male sovereigns, and Ahilyabai is among female sovereigns".

— An English writer quoted in the book Ahilya Bai Holkar by Khadpekar

A commemorative stamp was issued in her honour on 25 August 1996 by the Republic of India.

As a tribute to the great ruler, Indore international airport has been named Devi Ahilyabai Airport. Similarly, Indore university has been renamed as Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya.

On 13 March 2024, the Maharashtra state government approved the renaming of Ahmadnagar to Ahilyanagar.

In popular culture

• Former Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan has written a book "Matoshree" based on the life of Ahilyadevi Holkar
• A film titled Devi Ahilyabai was produced in 2002 featuring Mallika Prasad as Devi Ahilyabai, Shabana Azmi as Harkubai (Khanda Rani, Malhar Rao Holkar's wife) and also including Sadashiv Amrapurkar as Malhar Rao Holkar, Ahilyabai's father in law.
• In Thane City in Maharashtra, a children's park has been named as 'Ahilyadevi Holkar Udyan' after her. Also, a road has been named after her in the same city.
• The airport at Indore is named Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport in her honor.
• There are two universities named Devi Ahilya Vishwa Vidyalaya in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, and Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Solapur University in Solapur, Maharashtra.
• In 2006, a statue of Ahilyabai was unveiled on the premises of the Parliament Library Building by Vice-president Bhairon Singh Shekhawat.
• In the 1994 Hindi TV series The Great Maratha, Ahilyabai's character was portrayed by Mrinal Kulkarni.
• In 2016, a TV serial titled Awaaz: Punyashlok Ahilybai Holkar aired on Colors Marathi starring Urmila Kothare as Ahilybai.
• The State Highway 15 (West Bengal) has been renamed as Ahilyabai Road.

References

Works cited

• Boda, Sharon La (1994). International Dictionary of Historic Places: Asia and Oceania. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 9781884964046.
• Martin, Robert Montgomery (2012). The History, Antiquities, Topography, and Statistics of Eastern India: In Relation to Their Geology, Mineralogy, Botany, Agriculture, Commerce, Manufactures, Fine Arts, Population, Religion, Education, Statistics, Etc. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9781108046503.

Further reading

In Marathi

• List of Ahilyabai Books in Marathi - AhilyaStore
• Punyashlok Ahilya by R.W.Tikore-Kumthewale
• Ahilyabai by Hiralal Sharma
• Ahilyabai Charitra by Purshottam
• Ahilyabai Charitra by Mukund Vaman Barve
• Dnyat Adnyat Ahilyabai Holakar by Vinaya Khadapekar
• Pal Samaaj on Samaaj
• Matoshree" by Sumitra Mahajan

External links

• Media related to Ahilya Bai Holkar at Wikimedia Commons
• Ahilyadevi Holkar: A Magnificent Ruler, Saintly Administrator
• https://ahilyabaiholkar.in/