Project On Ahilyabai Holkar: The Warrior Queen
Project On Ahilyabai Holkar: The Warrior Queen
Project On Ahilyabai Holkar: The Warrior Queen
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
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
"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."
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."
10
Facts And Information
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
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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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Peshwa’s change of
heart
22
Welfare Measures
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
28
Death
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."
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
33