Ahilya Bai Holkar, 1767 to 1795
Ahilya Bai Holkar, the queen of the Malwa kingdom from 1767 to 1795, is revered as one of India’s most exemplary and benevolent rulers. Ascending the throne after the death of her husband, Khande Rao Holkar, and her father-in-law, Malhar Rao Holkar, she faced the challenge of leading a kingdom in a male-dominated society with remarkable poise and wisdom.
Ahilya Bai’s reign is distinguished by her astute administrative capabilities, military prowess, and unwavering commitment to social welfare. She initiated numerous infrastructure projects, including the construction of temples, ghats, wells, and roads, which not only beautified her kingdom but also boosted its economy.
Her governance was marked by fairness, justice, and a deep sense of compassion for her subjects. A patron of arts and culture, Ahilya Bai fostered an environment where learning and cultural activities flourished. Her legacy of good governance, humanitarianism, and patronage of culture continues to be celebrated, earning her a place among India’s most venerated historical figures.
Table of Contents
Birth and Parents
Ahilya Bai was born on 31 May 1725 in Chaundi village in Ahmednagar district in Maharashtra. Her mother’s name was Sushila Shinde and father’s name was Mankoji Rao Shinde. Father, Mankoji Rao Shind was Patil or village headman and belonged to the herdsman community, the Dhangar or Gadariya community. Though she was not sent to formal school, her father taught her to read and write in Marathi.
Malwa Region
Malwa is the west-central part of India lying in the Malwa plateau. It comprises about 12 districts of Madhya Pradesh and parts of 4 districts of Rajasthan. Ujjain and Indore in Madhya Pradesh and Kota in Rajasthan are the popular districts falling in the Malwa region.
Marriage in the family of Holkar’s of Indore
Malhar Rao Holkar (1693-1766) was the commander of the Maratha Peshwa Baji Rao I. Along with the commander, Malhar Rao Holkar was also the ruler of the Indore estate in the Malwa region, under the patronage of the Marathas.
One day while Malhar Rao Holkar was passing through Chaundi village, he saw eight-year-old Ahilya Bai cleaning the village temple and worshipping Kord Shiva. He was highly impressed by the piety and character of the girl and decided to marry his son Khande Rao Holkar with Ahilya Bai.
Thus, in 1733, 8-year-old Ahilya Bai was married to Khande Rao, son of Malhar Rao Holkar of Indore, and came to be known as Ahilya Bai Holkar. After the marriage, Gautama Bai, wife of Malhar Rao Holkar and mother-in-law of Ahilya Bai, trained her i.e. Ahilya Bai in administration, politics, accounts, and estate management.
In 1745, Ahilya Bai Holkar gave birth to a son Male Rao Holkar, and in 1748 to a daughter Muktabai.
Ahilya Bai succeeds Holkar Dynasty
However, in 1754 Khande Rao Holkar was killed in the battle of Kumbher. This was a personal setback to Malhar Rao Holkar as well as Ahilya Bai Holkar. Ahilya Bai Holkar wanted to perform sati, however, Malhar Rao Holkar persuaded her not to commit sati and instead help the family recover from the tragic death of his son.
After the death of Khande Rao Holkar, Malhar Rao Holkar fully supported his daughter-in-law Ahilya Bai Holkar and created her interest in running the administration of Indore estate.
In May 1766, 12 years after the death of his son Khande Rao Holkar, Malhar Rao Holkar also died. Malhar Rao Holkar was succeeded by Male Rao Holkar, son of Ahilya Bai Holkar. However, in April 1767, within 1 year after the death of Malhar Rao Holkar, Male Rao Holkar also died due to ill health.
After the death of Male Rao Holkar, the Holkar’s family persuaded Ahilya Bai Holkar to administer the Indore estate. Since Holkar’s of Indore was running the administration under the patronage of Maratha Peshwa, Ahilya Bai Holkar petitioned Maratha Peshwa Madhav Rao I to grant her the administration of the Holkar dynasty. In December 1767, The Maratha Peshwa granted Ahilya Bai Holkar to run the administration of Holkar dynasty along with Tukoji Rao Holkar, as the military head.
Ahilya Bai Holkar ran the administration of Indore estate for about 3 decades from 1767 until her death on 13 August 1795 at the age of 70. She was one of the most able rulers of the region and time.
Indore and Maheshwar
Ahilya Bai Holkar transformed Indore from a small village to a prosperous city. She made Maheshwar, on the banks of Narmada and about 90 kilometers from Indore, as the capital of Holkar rule.
Textile industry in Maheshwar
Maheshwar is presently located in Khargone district in Madhya Pradesh and is about 90 kilometers from Indore. Ahilya Bai Holkar made Maheshwar as its capital and embellished the city with many buildings and public works. Ahily Bai Holkar also laid the foundation of the textile industry, handloom weaving particularly of sarees. The sarees known as Maheshwari Saree are one of the ethnic that are famous across the nation.
Pilgrimage Places
She also commissioned several infrastructure projects in Malwa, sponsored festivals and gave donations for regular worship in many Hindu temples. Outside Malwa, she built numerous Hindu temples, Ghats, wells, tanks and rest-houses throughout the Indian subcontinent, stretching from the Himalayas to pilgrimage centres in southern India.
Some of the pilgrimage city where Ahilya Bai Holkar renovated or constructed temples are Kashi, Gaya, Somnath, Ayodhya, Mathura, Haridwar, Kanchi, Avanti, Dwarka, Badrinath Temple, Rameshwaram and Jagannath Puri.
Achievements of Ahilya Bai Holkar
Ahilya Bai Holkar is celebrated for her significant political achievements and contributions to administration, infrastructure, and social welfare. Here are some of her notable political achievements:
1. Efficient Administration:
– Ahilya Bai Holkar is renowned for her exceptional administrative skills. She established a well-organized and efficient administration that promoted justice, fairness, and prosperity within her kingdom.
– She appointed honest and capable officials, ensuring that her administration was free of corruption and malpractices.
2. Military Leadership:
– Despite being a female ruler in a patriarchal society, she successfully led her armies and defended her kingdom against external threats. Her leadership was instrumental in maintaining the sovereignty and stability of Malwa during her reign.
3. Infrastructure Development:
– Ahilya Bai Holkar was a prolific builder. She commissioned the construction of numerous temples, ghats, wells, tanks, and rest houses across her kingdom and beyond.
– Her infrastructure projects extended to various parts of India, including significant religious centers such as Varanasi, Gaya, and Dwarka, showcasing her dedication to public welfare and her devotion to Hindu religion and culture.
4. Promoting Trade and Agriculture:
– She implemented policies that encouraged agriculture and trade, boosting the economy of her kingdom. She ensured that farmers had access to necessary resources and support, leading to increased agricultural productivity.
– Her efforts to improve trade included building and maintaining roads and marketplaces, facilitating the movement of goods and promoting commerce.
5. Patronage of Arts and Culture:
– Ahilya Bai Holkar was a great patron of arts and culture. She supported various artisans, scholars, and artists, contributing to the cultural richness of her kingdom.
– Her court became a center for learning and cultural activities, attracting talent from various parts of India.
6. Social Welfare Initiatives:
– She was deeply committed to social welfare and worked towards improving the lives of her subjects. She established educational institutions, charitable hospitals, and provided aid to the poor and needy.
– Ahilya Bai also undertook significant efforts to abolish social evils and uplift the marginalized sections of society.
7. Religious Tolerance:
– Though a devout Hindu, she was known for her religious tolerance and respect for other faiths. Her reign is marked by the absence of religious conflicts, and she ensured that her policies were inclusive and respectful of all communities.
8. Legal Reforms:
– Ahilya Bai Holkar introduced various legal reforms aimed at ensuring justice and fairness. She was accessible to her subjects and personally supervised many legal proceedings, ensuring that justice was delivered promptly and impartially.
Ahilya Bai Holkar’s reign is remembered as a golden period in the history of the Malwa region. Her contributions to administration, infrastructure, social welfare, and cultural patronage have left a lasting legacy, making her one of the most respected and revered rulers in Indian history.
Death
Ahilya Bai Holkar died on 13 August 1795 at the age of 70. She was succeeded by her commander-in-chief and nephew, Tukoji Rao Holkar
Legacy
“The reign of Ahilya Bai, 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)
British historian John Keay referred Ahilya Bai Holkar as ‘The Philosopher Queen’.
“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)
On 13 March 2024, the Maharashtra state government approved the renaming of Ahmadnagar to Ahilyanagar.
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Written By: Brijesh Singh