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Project On Ahilyabai Holkar: The Warrior Queen

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Some of the key takeaways from the document are that Ahilyabai Holkar was a brave and skilled warrior queen who ruled the Kingdom of Malwa from 1767 to 1795. She led her armies into several successful wars while also fighting from atop elephants. She was a wise, just and enlightened ruler who cared deeply for her people and held daily public audiences. She oversaw many public works and welfare programs that benefited the people of her kingdom.

Some of Ahilyabai Holkar's major achievements as ruler included successfully leading her armies in several wars, developing her capital city of Maheshwar into an industrial and cultural center, patronizing arts and literature, and establishing a textile industry. She also constructed the magnificent Ahilya Fort.

Ahilyabai Holkar governed with wisdom, justice, and care for her people. She held daily public audiences to hear concerns. She also instituted several welfare programs and paid considerate attention to marginalized groups to improve their living conditions.

PROJECT ON

AHILYABAI
HOLKAR:
THE WARRIOR
QUEEN

1
INDEX

 Biography---------------------------------------------------------3
 Facts And Information-----------------------------------------11
 Achievements---------------------------------------------------15
 Ahilyabai Holkar Award to Suman Muthe------------------16
 Ahilyabai’s Rule and Daily Routine-------------------------20
 Peshwa’s change of heart--------------------------------------22
 Welfare Measures-----------------------------------------------23
 Charitable Throughout India----------------------------------24
 Death-------------------------------------------------------------29
 Legacy----------------------------------------------------------- 30
 Conclusion-------------------------------------------------------32

2
Biography

Ahilyabai Holkar (1725-1795) was a great ruler and the Queen


of the Kingdom of Malwa. Popularly known as Rajmata
Ahilyadevi Holkar and she was born in 1725 in the village of
Chondi in Maharashtra, India. She was the daughter of Mankoji
Shinde who belonged to the Dhangar community, serving as
patil of the village.

Her father educated her himself and she grew up living a humble
pious life, when one day, her destiny changed forever to
eventually see her become the ruler of Malwa in the 18th
century.
3
Young Ahilyadevi’s character and simplicity impressed Malhar
Rao Holkar, who then served under Peshwa Bajirao’s army as a
commander. So great was his liking for the girl, that she was
married to his son, Khande Rao, thus becoming a bride in the
esteemed Maratha community of the Holkars.

After her husband’s death in the battle of Kumbher in 1754,


Ahilyabai was introduced to the administrative and military
affairs of the state by her father-in-law, which saw her, perform
brilliantly under his guidance.

After Malhar Rao’s death, she requested the Peshwa to grant her
the power to lead the administration of the region. His approval
saw Rani Ahilyadevi take hold of the reins of the state in 1766,
to become ruler of Malwa, with Tukoji Holkar appointed as her
new military head.

Receiving the full support of her loyal army, Ahilyadevi led


them into several wars, whilst, she being a brave warrior and
skilled archer herself, fought with valor atop elephant-back,
even protecting her kingdom from the plundering Bhils and
Gonds.

Rani Ahilyabai moved her capital to Maheshwar, constructing


the splendid 18th century Maratha-architecture based, Ahilya
Fort, on the banks of the sacred Narmada River. Besides her
capital being an industrial enterprise for textile, it was also a
thriving destination for literary, sculpture, music and arts, which
saw Moropant, the famous Marathi poet, the Shahir
4
Anantaphandi and Sanskrit scholar, Khushali Ram, being
patronized during her era.

A wise, just and enlightened ruler who cared for her people, she
was available to the aid of everyone holding a daily public
audience in her court. During her glorious reign (1767-1795),
Rani Ahilyadevi’s innumerable contributions made her a
beloved and respected queen amongst her people in a prospering
kingdom. She wisely spent the governmental money building
several forts, rest houses, wells and roads, celebrating festivals
and donations to Hindu temples.

Her feminine side saw her aid widows in retaining their


husband’s wealth and in adoption of a son. Besides her
transformation of Indore from an erstwhile village into a
prosperous and enchanting city, she is also accredited with
renovating temples.

Her most memorable activities include the construction of


numerous temples and pilgrimage centers across an area
extending from the Himalayas to South India, at sacred sites like
Kashi, Gaya, Somnath, Ayodhya, Mathura, Hardwar, Dwarka,
Badrinarayan, Rameshwar and Jaganathpuri.

Ahilyabai Holkar’s magnificent and glorious rule ended when


she passed away in 1795. In memory and honour of her
greatness, the Republic of India issued a commemorative stamp
on 25 August 1996. The citizens of Indore also instituted an
award in her name in 1996, to be bestowed annually on an
outstanding public figure, the first recipient of it being Nanaji
Deshmukh.
5
She renewed many temples and other Hindu pilgrimages across
India. Examples are -

 One, current Kashi Vishwanath Temple at Benaras was


built by her.

 Two, a small temple was constructed at Somnath, the large


one that we see today was built after independence.

 Three, temple at Gaya in Bihar. It is at Gaya that Hindus


perform Pind Daan or post death rituals.

According to travel blogger Jaideep Datta, “She reconstructed,


renovated and approved annual maintenance for diverse temples
including Ellora, Somnath, Kashi Vishwanath, Kedarnath,
Prayag, Chitrakut, Pandharpur, Parli Vaijnath, Kurukshetra,
Pashupatinath, Rameshwar, Balaji Giri, Eklingaji, Pushkar, etc.”

What have prominent people said about Ahilya Bai Holkar?

“Definitely no woman and no ruler are like Ahilyabai


Holkar.”Nizam of Hyderabad
According to a contemporary American historian, Gordon,
“Ahilyabai had one of the most stable reigns of the 18th century.”
“The reign of Ahilyabai, of Indore in central India, lasted for 30
Yrs. This has become almost legendary as a period during which
perfect order and good Government prevailed and the people
6
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: Discovery
of India, 2004( page-304).
“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 mothers
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 honoured name.”Poem on Rani Ahilyabai Holkar
by Joanna Baillie 1849.
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
The beloved queen passed away at the age of 70. She was
succeeded by her commander-in-chief, Tukoji Rao Holkar. Her

7
life shines radiantly in the pages of history and her achievements
and struggles will inspire many generations of India.
In 1996 leading citizens of Indore instituted an award in her
name to be bestowed annually on an outstanding public figure.
The first award was presented to Nanaji Deshmukh by the Prime
Minister of India.
On 25th August 1996 the government of India issued a
commemorative stamp in her honor. Indore's airport has been
named "Devi Ahilyabai Holkar airport" after her. Indore
University has been renamed as Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya in
her honor. In 2002 a film titled 'Devi Ahilya Bai' was also
produced.

"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."

"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

8
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."

"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."

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

"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."

9
"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."

"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".

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
Holkar Airport. Similarly, Indore university has been renamed
as Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya.

10
Facts And Information

Full Name Ahilya Bai Sahiba Holkar


May 31, 1725 at Grram Chaundi, Jamkhed,
Born
Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, India
Religion Hindu
Maharani Ahilya Bai Holkar ruled the Malwa
About
kingdom in India.
Husband Khanderao Holkar
Father Mankoji Shinde
House House of Holkar
Coronation December 11, 1767
Reign December 1, 1767 to August 13, 1795
Predecessor Malerao Holkar
Successor Tukojirao Holkar I
Father In Law Malhar Rao Holkar

11
Death of Her husband was killed in 1754 during the siege of
Husband Kumbher.
Ahilya Bai transformed Indore from a village to a
beautiful city. Many forts and roads were
constructed in Malwa under her rule. She made
ghats, temples, tanks, wells and rest-houses in South
Accomplishments India and across the Himalayas. Somnath, Kashi,
Gaya, Ayodhya, Dwarka, Hardwar, Kanchi, Avanti,
Badrinarayan, Rameshwar, Mathura and
Jaganathpuri are some of the places developed by
her.
Punyashlok Ahilya, M. S. Dixit
Ahilyabai, Hiralal Sharma
Ahilyabai Charitra, Purshottam
Books in Marathi Ahilyabai Charitra, Mukund Vaman Barve
Karmayogini, Vijaya Jahagirdar
Dnyat Adnyat Ahilyabai Holakar, Vinaya
Khadapekar
Devi Ahilya Bai is a movie featuring Mallika Prasad
as Ahilya Bai.
In Popular
A children’s park in Thane, Maharashtra is named
Culture
as ‘Ahilyadevi Holkar Udyan’ in honour of Ahilya
Bai.
The life of Ahilya Bai has been depicted in a
Documentary documentary of 20 minutes made by Educational
Multimedia Research Centre,Indore.

The woman who was the queen of the rich kingdom of Malwa,
the Rajmata who was loved by her people for her bravery,
Ahilyabai Holkar was married to Khanderao Holkar at the age of
12
8. She was homeschooled by her father Mankoji Shinde and that
is what made her the beautiful human being that she was.
Here's everything that we all should know about the queen of
Malwa:
Devi Ahilyabai Holkar was one of the rules who made sure that
her people are heard. She organised gatherings for her people
and made sure that each of their's problems are being heard.
Rajmata lost her husband in the battle of Kumbher in 1754, she
was widowed at the age of 28 and was going to commit sati but
her father-in-law stopped her.
Treating her like his own daughter, Malhar Rao was always her
support system. 
Taking the matters of the kingdom in her own hands, Ahilyabai
became a monarch when her father-in-law passed away 12 years
after the death of his son Khanderao. Rani Ahilyabai was named
the new military head in 1766 and she received massive support
from her army.
She constructed the Ahilya Fort on the banks of holy Narmada
in Maheshwar. The queen of Malwa bravery led and directed her
armies to the battlegrounds, she awarded death to her enemies
and took care of her people like her own children.
A great politician and a prolific ruler, the queen of Malwa is the
reason why the city of Indore flourished. She brought in the
tradition of numerous festivals and built many forts.

13
Worshipped by both Hindus and Muslims, she was known for
erecting multiple forts and constructing many temples, ghats,
and pilgrimage centres.
It was under Ahilyabai's rule that places like Kashi, Gaya,
Somnath, Ayodhya, Mathura, Hardwar, Kanchi, Avanti,
Dwarka, Badrinarayan, Rameshwar and Jaganathpuri flourished.
During her reign, Maheshwar saw Marathi poets like Moropant,
Shahir Anantaphandi and Sanskrit scholar like Khushali Ram.
Literature, art and music were in the air. 
Textile industry boomed and so did people's faith in their queen.
Her heart was broken when her daughter committed sati upon
the death of her husband Yashwantrao Phanse. 
The queen passed away at the age of 70 and her commander-in-
chief, Tukoji Rao Holkar I took the lineage forward.
Ahilyabai was remembered for her courage, strength and
compassion. She is the queen who changed the course of Malwa
and her story is the one that we should recall more often. 

Achievements

14
Among Ahilyadevi's achievements, she developed Indore from a
small village to a prosperous and beautiful city. She made
Maheshwar, a town on the banks of the Narmada river, her own
capital. Ahilyadevi built forts and roads in Malwa, sponsored
festivals and served as a patron for many Hindu temples.
Outside Malwa, she built dozens of temples, ghats, wells, tanks,
8and rest-houses across an area stretching from the Himalayas
to pilgrimage centers in South India.
The Bharatiya Sanskritikosh lists as sites she embellished,
Kashi, Gaya, Somnath, Ayodhya, Mathura, Hardwar, Kanchi,
Avanti, Dwarka, Badrinarayan, Rameshwar, and Jaganathpuri.
Ahilyadevi also rejoiced when she saw bankers, merchants,
farmers, and cultivators rise to levels of affluence, but rejected
claims to any of that wealth, be it through taxes or feudal right.
Since India's independence, the city of Indore, when compared
to neighboring Bhopal, Jabalpur, or Gwalior, has progressed
dramatically: economically, through business and financial
development, and politically through the development of
efficient administration.
The local population proudly states that they live in 'mini-
Mumbai', a reference to the great metropolis 600 kilometers
away. Ahilyadevi’s legacy of good deeds, her dedication to
religion, and her policies served to enrich the city into the
twenty-first century.

15
Ahilyabai Holkar Award
to Suman Muthe

Ahilyabai Holkar Puraskar to Suman Muthe.The role of an


Indian woman traditionally has been that of a mother, sister,
wife in the Indian household.Today, however, the Indian woman
has changed and in her own way wants to contribute to the
society.
The Indian woman rubbing shoulders with men is a common
sight today and she has excelled in every quarter in the society.
This also holds true for women’s contribution to the society and
there are so many examples. Many women like Rani Laxmi bai,
Devi Ahilyabai, Mother Teresa, Savitribai Phule have left a

16
mark in their own ways to contribute in the Indian society.There
are many success stories today and it is important that such
women should be publicly recognized so that they become role
models and inspire future generations, not only women but
everyone.
If these women are given their due recognition, it would also go
a long way in encouraging their contribution and motivate them
to give more to the society. It would be fair to say that these are
special god sentemissaries that have a unique mission, a definite
purpose for their existence.The government in its efforts has
instituted various awards to recognise the achievements of these
women and among these, there are five national awards which
are called Stree Shakti Puraskar.
These awards are in the name of the following eminent women
personalities in the Indian history, who were famous for their
personal courage and integrity and of course societal
contribution:-Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar, Kanngi, Mata
Jijabai,Rani Gaidenlou Zeliang,Rani Lakshmi Bai.
These award carry a cash prize of Rs.1 lakh and a citation. The
awards are given to women who have challenged circumstances
that women go through and triumphed over them that resulted in
proper justice and empowerment of women in India.
Women who have worked for the support and rehabilitation of
women and children and resolved issues for destitute women,
marital problems, early marriage, fraud, widows, old aged and

17
disabled women and victims of atrocities and conflicts are given
recognition for empowering women.
The government also awards the achievements of women who
have worked in the areas of education, health, agriculture, rural
and tribal areas, conservation of forests and environment and
those who have raised awareness amongst women issues
through use of media are also recognized and awarded by the
Government.
One of the awards will be given towards recognition of personal
achievements by a woman who has challenge difficult
circumstances.
The Department of Women and Child Development invites
nominations for the awards from Non-Governmental
Organisations, Women Development Corporations, National and
State level Commissions for Women etc. through the State
Governments and Union Territory Administration.Suman
Muthe, noted social activist, author and speaker received the
“Ahilyabai Holkar Puraskar” during1999-2000 at the hands of
the then Chief Minister of Mahrashtra, Shri Vilasrao Deshmukh.
Suman Mutheis based in Nasik, Maharashtra and has been
actively working in the areas of child welfare and tribal women
development particularly in the tribal belts of Maharashtra, India
since more than 20 years.

18
She has initiated and implemented several projects and
empowered women on various aspects such as child health care,
women rights, family counselling etc.
In recognition of her contribution, she has been awarded by
many organisations in the past. Recently, she received the
"Siddha Sewa" award by Swami Hardas Foundation, Pune
which is her 22nd award in her list of recognitions. Besides
doing grass root work, she has authored four books, delivers
lectures and is a prolific writer.
Suman Muthe has undertaken various projects and camps with
the help of volunteers in Satyaniketan Trust and has successfully
implemented projects to empower tribal women.
The issue of wrongful exploitation of women in these areas has
reduced considerably due to the efforts taken by Suman Muthe.
Even at the age of 64 years, she makes it a point to visit these
villages, hold meeting with members of the trust and work
towards women empowerment.

19
Ahilyabai’s Rule and
Daily Routine

Ahilyabai was just and fair. She was accessible to anyone who
needed her help and held daily public audiences. She appointed
Tukoji Rao Holkar as chief of the army. Due to her skilled
handling of legal affairs, she continually referred cases to courts
of arbitration and equity when necessary and her territories of
Malwa were not disrupted or attacked in spite of wars all around
and her reign was most stable. She retained the same set of
ministers and administrators throughout her reign which gave
her their undivided loyalty.
Her sense of fair play stretched to everyone and she always
pulled up those in her service who were unfair on untruthful in
their dealings.
She was fair, forthright and gentle-minded in all affairs of the
state. Due to her devout nature, purity of heart, calmness of
20
spirit and honesty of purpose everyone listened to her with
reverence and obeyed her implicitly. She did not impose new
rules and regulations and used only ‘common sense backed by
religion’ to make her people happy and contented.
While there were wars, instabilities and turbulence all around,
Ahilyabai used diplomacy and statesmanship, thus her rule was
known for its peace and tranquillity. Her thirty years of rule also
showed an increase in the revenue of the state.
Her daily routine began an hour before daybreak with prayers.
The scriptures were then read to her after which she gave food to
a number of Brahmins and distributed alms. She practiced
vegetarianism and after breakfast she prayed again and then took
a short break.
She attended durbar from two to six and after a light meal and
religious exercises, from nine to eleven she attended to business.
She respected all religions but her devotion was to Lord Shiva.
All royal proclamations were always accompanied by her
signature and the words ‘Shri Shankara’’ on it.
To reduce crime and theft, she encouraged the poor to practice
trading and farming. To protect travelling merchants from harm,
she employed forest tribes to protect them and paid them well so
they would not resort to robbery and thieving.

21
Peshwa’s change of
heart

It is said that the Supreme Ruler The Peshwa wished to


confiscate the excess wealth of Indore but Ahilyabai was
adamant that the wealth was to be used for charitable
purposes or for the welfare of her subjects. Angry that she
had defied him the Peshwa threatened military action but
she challenged him to come and face her on the
battlefield. She gathered a small army which included
many women and sent a message to the Peshwa that she
being a woman would lose nothing if she lost the battle
but if he being a man and the Peshwa lost against women
it would be disastrous for him. The Peshwa had a change
of heart and reassured her that he meant to come and stay
in her house as a guest and had no intention of any fight.
After staying in her house he was impressed by the skill
with which she ruled and the poise and equanimity that
she possessed.

22
Welfare Measures

She developed Indore and made it a beautiful city. She built


roads and forts in Malwa, gave donations for many Hindu
temples and sponsored festivals. She built tanks, guest houses,
wells and temples at her own cost. She helped widows to retain
their husband’s wealth and she even allowed them to adopt
children. She made her capital Maheshwar the scene of musical,
artistic, literary and industrial enterprise by patronising the
Sanskrit scholar Khushali Ram and entertaining the famous
Marathi poet Moropant and Anantaphandi from Maharashtra.
She established a textile industry in Maheshwar and gave
salaries and honours to sculptors, craftsmen and artists. She was
overjoyed when the bankers, traders etc became affluent with
her help and never staked a claim in their wealth. She worked
for the welfare of all high or low and using a strong hand and a
wise head, she achieved unparalleled peace and prosperity
everywhere in her state. She organised a good postal system and
families of Soldiers who were loyal and died in battle were
always taken care of. She honoured all those who served the
state like clerks, officers etc.
23
Charitable Works
Throughout India

Alampur (MP) – Harihareshwar, Batuk, Malharimarthand,


Surya, Renuka, Ram Hanuman Temples, Shriram Temple,
Laxmi Narayan Temple, Maruti Temple, Narsinh Temple,
Khanderao Martand Temple, Memorial of Malharrao (I)

 Amarkanthak- Shri Vishweshwar Temple, Kotithirth


Temple, Gomukhi Temple, Dharamshala, Vansh Kund
 Amba Gaon – Lamps for temple
 Anand Kanan – Vishweshwar Temple
 Ayodhya (U.P)– Built Shri Ram Temple, Shri Treta Ram
Temple, Shri Bhairav Temple, Nageshwar/Siddhnath Temple,
Sharayu Ghat, well, Swargadwari Mohatajkhana,
Dharamshalas
 Badrinath Temple (UP) – Shri Kedareshwar and Hari
Temples, Dharamshalas (Rangdachati, Bidarchati, Vyasganga,
Tanganath, Pawali), Manu kunds (Gaurkund, Kundachatri),
Garden and Warm Water Kund at Dev Prayag, Pastoral land
for cows
 Beed – Jirnnodhar of a Ghat.
 Belur (Karnataka) – Ganpati, Pandurang, Jaleshwar,
Khandoba, Tirthraj and Fire temples, Kund
24
 Bhanpura – Nine Temples and Dharmashala
 Bharatpur – Temple, Dharmashala, Kund
 Bhimashankar – Garibkhana
 Bhusawal – Changadev Temple
 Bitthur – Bhramaghat
 Burhanpur (MP) – Raj Ghat, Ram Ghat, Kund
 Chandwad Waphegaon – Vishnu Temple and Renuka
Temple
 Chaundi – Chaudeshwaridevi Temple, Sineshwar Mahadev
temple,
 Ahilyeshwar Temple, Dharamshala, Ghat,
 Chitrakoot – Pranpratishta of Shri Ramchandra
 Cikhalda – Annakshetra
 Dwarka(Gujrath) – Mohatajkhana, Pooja House and gave
some villages to priest
 Ellora –Grishneshwar Temple of Red Stone
 Gangotri – Vishwanath, Kedarnath, Annapurna, Bhairav
Temples, many Dharmashalas
 Gaya (Bihar) – Vishnupad Temple
 Gokarn – Rewaleshwar Mahadev temple, Holkar wada,
Garden and Garibkhana
 Gruneshwar (Verul) – Shivalaya Tirth
 Handiya – Siddhanath Temple, ghat and dharmashala
 Haridwar (Uttarakhand) – Kushawarth Ghat and a Huge
Dharmashala
 Hrishikesh – Many temples, Shrinathji and Govardhan ram
temples
 Indore – Many Temples and ghats

25
 Jagannath Puri (Orrisa) – Shri Ramchandra Temple,
Dharmashala and Garden
 Jalgaon – Ram Mandir
 Jamghat – Bhumi dwar
 Jamvgaon – Donated for Ramdas swami Math
 Jejuri – Malhargautameshwar, Vitthal, Martand Temple,
Janai Mahadev and Malhar lakes
 Karmanasini River – Bridge
 Kashi (Benaras) – Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Shri
Tarakeshwar, Shri Gangaji, Ahilya Dwarkeshwar,
Gautameshwar, Many Mahadev Temples, Temple Ghats,
Manikarnika Ghat, Dashaaswamegh Ghat, Janana Ghat,
Ahilya Ghat, UttarKashi Dharmashala, Rameshwar
Panchkoshi Dharmashala, Kapila Dhara Dharmashala, Shitala
Ghat
 Kedarnath – Dharmashala and Kund
 Kolhapur – Facilities for temple pooja
 Kumher – Well and Memorial of Prince Khanderao
 Kurukshetra (Haryana) – Shiv Shantanu Mahadev Temple,
Panchkund Ghat, Laxmikund Ghat
 Maheshwar – Hundreds of temples, ghats, dharmashalas
and houses
 Mamaleshwar Mahadev Himachal Pradesh – Lamps
 Manasa Devi – Seven temples
 Mandaleshwar – Shiv Temple Ghat
 Datta Mandir (Mangaon) – Datta Mandir, Near
Sawantwadi, Konkan, Maharashtra, India
 Miri (Ahmednagar) – Bhairav Temple in 1780
 Naimabar(MP) – Temple
 Nandurbar[1] – Temple, Well
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 Nathdwara – Ahilya Kund, Temple, Well
 Neelkantha Mahadev – Shivalaya and Gomukh
 Nemisharanya(UP) – Mahadev Madi, Nimsar
Dharmashala, Go-ghat, Cakrithirth kund
 Nimgaon (Nashik) – Well
 Omkareshwar (MP) – Mamaleshwar Mahadev,
Amaleshwar, Trambakeshwar Temples (Jirnnodhar), Gauri
Somnath Temple, Dharmashalas, Wells
 Ozar (Ahmednagar) – 2 wells and kund
 Panchawati, Nasik – Shri Ram Temple, Gora Mahadev
temple, Dharmashala, Vishweshwar Temple, Ramghat,
Dharmashala
 Parli Vaijnath, Parli Vaijnath – Shri Vaidyanath Mandir
 Pandharpur (Maharashtra) – Shri Ram Temple, Tulsibag,
Holkar wada, Sabha Mandap, Dharmashala and gave silver
utensil for the temple,Well-Which known by Bagirao well.
 Pimplas(Nashik) – well
 Prayag (Allahabad UP) – Vishnu Temple, Dharmashala,
Garden, Ghat, Palace
 Pune – Ghat
 Puntambe (Maharashtra) – Ghat on Godavari river
 Pushkar – Ganpati Temple, Dharmashala, Garden
 Rameshwar (TN) – Hanuman Temple, Shri Radha Krishna
Temple, Dharmashala, Well, Garden etc.
 Rampura – Four Temples, Dharmashala and houses
 Raver – Keshav Kund
 Sakargaon – well
 Sambhal – Laxmi Narayan Temple and two wells
 Sangamner – Ram Temple

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 Saptashrungi – Dharmashala
 Sardhana Meerut – Chandi Devi Temple
 Saurashtra (Guj) – Somnath Temple in 1785. (Jirnnodhdhar
and Pran Prathistha)
 Siddhivinayak temple’s inner sanctum at Siddhatek in
Ahmednagar District
 Shri Nagnath (Darukhvan) – Started pooja in 1784
 Srisailam Mallikarjun (Kurnool, AP) – Temple of Lord
Shiva
 Shri Shambhu Mahadev Mountain Shingnapur
(Maharashtra) – Well
 Shri Vaijenath (Parali, Maha) – Jirnnodhar of Baijenath
Temple in 1784
 Shri Vhigneshwar – Lamps
 Sinhpur – Shiv Temple and ghat
 Sulpeshwar – Mahadev Temple, annakshetra
 Sultanpur (Khandesh) – Temple
 Tarana – Tilabhandeshwar Shiv temple, Khedapati,
Shriram Temple, Mahakali Temple
 Tehari (Bundelkhand) – Dharmashala
 Trimbakeshwar (Nashik) – Bridge on Kushawarth Ghat
 Ujjain (MP) – Chintaman Ganapati, Janardhan, Shrilila
urushottam, Balaji Tilakeshwar, Ramjanaki Ras Mandal,
Gopal, Chitnis, Balaji, Ankpal, Shiv and many other temples,
13 ghats, well and many Dharmashalas etc.
 Varanasi, Kashi Vishwanath Temple 1780.[13]
 Vrindavan (Mathura) – Chain Bihari Temple, Kaliyadeha
Ghat, Chirghat and many other ghats, Dharmashala, Annakstra
 Waphegaon (Nashik) – Holkar wada and one well
 Ambad (maharashtra) -Matsodari Devi Mandir
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Death

Ahilyabai died on 13 August 1795 at the age of 70. A woman of


modern times, Ahilyabai's rule is remembered as a golden age in
Indore's history. Ahilyabai was succeeded by her commander-
in-chief and nephew, Tukoji Rao Holkar.

"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."
An English poem written by Joanna Baillie in 1849 reads:

“For thirty years her reign of peace,


The land in blessing did increase;
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And she was blessed by every tongue,
By stern and gentle, old and young.
Yea, even the children at their mothers 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 Ahlya was her honoured name.”

Legacy

Stories of her care for her people abound. She helped widows
retain their husbands’ wealth. She made sure that a widow was
allowed to adopt a son. In one instance, when her minister
refused to allow an adoption unless he was suitably bribed, she
sponsored the child herself, and gave him clothes and jewels as
part of the ritual.
The only time Ahilyadevi seems not to have been able to settle a
conflict peacefully and easily was in the case of the Bhils and
Gonds, "plunderers" on her borders. She granted them waste
hilly lands and the right to a small duty on goods passing
through their territories. Even in that case, according to
Malcolm, she did give "considerate attention to their habits."
Ahilyadevi’s capital at Maheshwar was the scene of literary,
musical, artistic, and industrial enterprise. She entertained the
famous Marathi poet, Moropant and the shahir, Anantaphandi

30
from Maharashtra, and also patronized the Sanskrit scholar,
Khushali Ram. Craftsmen, sculptors and artists received salaries
and honors at her capital, and she established a textile industry
in the city of Maheshwar.
The reputation of Ahilyadevi Holkar in Malwa and Maharashtra
has been established as that of a saint. She proved a magnificent,
able ruler, and a great queen.
In 1996, to honor the memory of Ahilyadevi Holkar, leading
citizens of Indore instituted an annual award in her name to be
bestowed on an outstanding public figure. The prime minister of
India presented the first award to Nanaji Deshmukh. The
government of the Republic of India issued a commemorative
stamp in her honor on August 25, 1996. As a tribute to the great
ruler, Indore domestic airport has been named "Devi Ahilyabai
Holkar airport."

Similarly, Indore university has been christened Ahilya


University, Indore.A film titled Devi Ahilya Bai[7] was produced
in 2002 featuring Shabana Azmi as Harkubai (Khaanda Rani,
one of Malhar Rao Holkar's wives) and also including Sadashiv
Amrapurkar as Malhar Rao Holkar, Ahilyabai's father in law.

Jawaharlal Nehru:

31
The reign of Ahilyabai, of Indore in central India, lasted for 30
Yrs. 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."

Conclusion

Ahilyabai Holkar was also referred to as the Philosopher Queen


and was often compared to Margaret I of Denmark, Elizabeth I
of England and Catherine II of Russia. In memory of her bravery
and greatness, the Republic of India released a commemorative
stamp on 25th August 1996. In 1996, the Indore Government too
instituted an annual award in her name to be bestowed to an
outstanding public figure. The Indore domestic airport has been
renamed the Ahilyabai Holkar Airport and the Indore University
too has been renamed as Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya in her
honour. The timeless testimonies of her beneficence that she has
left behind give glimpses of the reason for her reputation in
Malwa and Maharashtra being that of a saint and not merely a
warrior Queen and she was also referred to as a Karma Yogi and
32
a Raja Yogi. Her piety, her keen interest in all her people, her
administrative ability and the landmarks she has built all over
the country will always be remembered with gratitude for
generations to come.

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