Devi Ahilyabai Holkar

Posted 27 Jul 2024

3 min read

Why in the News?

Recently, the 300^th birth anniversary of Malwa queen Devi Ahilyabai Holkar was celebrated on May 31, 2024.

Birth: Born in Chondi village, Ahmednagar in 1725.
Father: Mankoji Rao Shinde
Husband: Khanderao Holkar
Father-in-Law: Malhar Rao Holkar (founder of the Holkar dynasty)
- He was officer of Peshwa Baji Rao and posted in Malwa to collect ‘Chouth’ and ‘Sardeshmukhi’.
Queen of Malwa: Became ruler of Malwa after her husband’s death (he was killed in the battle of Kumbher in 1754).
- She had appointed Tukoji Rao Holkar (adopted son of Malhar Rao Holkar) as the commander of her army.
- She established Maheshwar in Madhya Pradesh as the seat of the Holkar dynasty.

Temple Reconstruction: The famous Somnath Temple (dedicated to Lord Shiva) were rebuilt under her patronage.
- Kashi Vishvanath Temple located at Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh) stands on the western bank of the holy river Ganga and is one of the twelve Jyotirlinga.
- Somnath temple, located on the Gujarat coast along the Arabian Sea, is believed to be the first jyotirlinga (devotional shrine of Lord Shiva).
  - It was raided by Mahmud Ghazni (1024), and attacked by Delhi Sultant (1297 and 1394) and Aurangzeb (in 1706).
Patronized Arts: She patronised Sanskrit scholar Khushali Ram and Marathi poet Moropant and Shahir Anantaphandi.
- Moropant: He wrote ‘Political commentary on Ramayana and Mahabharata’, ‘ A number of Akhyanes based on puranas’, ‘Aryabhata’ and ‘Kekavati’.
- Shahir Anantaphandi: He was known for composing Lavani and Powadas.
Social Development: She worked for women education, widow remarriage, and resisted evil practices like Sati and Untouchability.
- She also worked for mainstreaming Bhil and Gond tribes and lower castes.
Economic: A well-organized tax system existed. Maheswar and Indore became the center of trade and commerce. She also promoted the Maheswari weaving industry.
- Maheswar “Sarees & Fabric” is registered as Handicraft goods in Geographical Indications (GI).

Maratha Confederacy: The Holkar Dynasty was a significant part of the Maratha Confederacy, an alliance of powerful Maratha clans. Other prominent members included: Bhonsle of Nagpur Gaekwad of Baroda Sindhia of Gwalior.
Third Anglo-Maratha War: Malhar Rao II (1811 to 1833), who ruled the Holkar Dynasty played a pivotal role in the Third Anglo-Maratha War (1817-1819).
- After Malhar Rao II was defeated in the battle of Mahidpur the Treaty of Mandsaur was signed in 1818 which henceforth governed relations between the Holkars and the British.