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Ahilyabai has been considered by the public in two forms, one side considers Ahilyabai to be the incarnation of the goddess. This side is not ready to believe that Ahilyabai was a human because Ahilyabai’s personality was so huge that it does not match with a normal human. Such a huge personality has neither been seen nor heard till now and it is impossible. The other side considers Ahilyabai to be like a sun ray or a beam of light that comes out tearing through the darkness but the darkness repeatedly tries to destroy it. In the glorious history of India, the valor, patriotism of many women rulers have been praised. Many historians have also given a detailed description of the governance of women rulers. The justice system of Ahilyabai
Many historians have also given a detailed description of the governance of women rulers. The justice system of Ahilyabai Holkar was unique in itself. Ahilyabai’s rule was in a limited area, it was not a very big state but her works were very big
Holkar was unique in itself. Ahilyabai’s rule was in a limited area, it was not a very big state but her works were very big. At the age of 08 years, she was married to Khanderao Holkar, son of Subedar Malharrao Holkar and became a widow at the age of 29. She had to bear the pain of her husband’s death at the age of 29. Then at the age of 43, she had to bear the death of her son Malerao. At the age of 66, she had to bear the death of her son-in-law Yashwant Rao Phanse and her daughter Muktabai becoming sati. What all did she not bear? Ahilyabai’s personal life was full of pain, sorrow and separation. Rising above personal pain and suffering, Ahilyabai dedicated her life to the service of humanity. 12 years after the death of her husband, her father-in-law died and then one year after that, on 11 December 1767, Ahilyabai was handed over the reins of governance. Ahilyabai shifted her capital from Indore to Maheshwar on the banks of Narmada. Ahilyabai was born in the last phase of the Mughal Sultanate and the period of the Marathas becoming powerful. In those days, girls were not sent for formal education. But it was the farsightedness of father Shri Mankoji Rao Shinde that he arranged for Ahilyabai’s education at home.
The story of the marriage is also very interesting. Malhar Rao was looking for a talented and capable daughter-in-law. Ahilyabai was praying the Lord during the Aarti of God. On hearing the prayer, Malhar praised Ahilyabai a lot and chose Ahilyabai as his daughter-in-law. Thus Ahilyabai became the daughter-in-law of the royal family from the village.
When her injured husband died during the war, Ahilyabai was deeply hurt and was broken from within. She decided to commit sati with her husband but changed her decision on the advice of the elders of the family. Hurt and broken from within, Ahilyabai handled herself by fighting the circumstances. She acted with courage. By showing courage and struggle, she not only handled herself but also led her people.
Ahilyabai tried her best to save the state from the Mughals. She herself used to participate in the war along with the army. Ahilyabai was not only talented, cultured and just, due to which she was considered an incarnation of the goddess among the common people. Ahilyabai contributed a lot in the propagation of religion and construction and reconstruction of religious places. The Ganga Ghat in Kashi is known as Ahilyabai Ghat. Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Somnath Temple, world famous Ujjain Temple, Dwarka Ji Temple, Maheshwar Temple, many such religious places were constructed by Ahilyabai. An important fact in this is that all these constructions were done at a time when the Mughals were engaged in looting and destroying Hindu temples. Honoring the scholars of Hindu religion was also a major work of Ahilyabai.
During the period of terror of Mughals, protection of her subjects for 28 years, security of the state, establishment of religion, reconstruction of religious places
Being born in an ordinary family in an ordinary village and being blessed with extraordinary talents is a symbol of Ahilyabai’s strict discipline, self-control and values. At the same time, it was not even in her imagination that she would run away or surrender in fear of extraordinary responsibilities
across the country, happiness, peace and prosperity, love for justice and love for justice so much that if the son of a cow’s calf got crushed by her chariot, she had no hesitation in ordering death penalty for him. That is why Ahilyabai was called Lokmata.
Her devotion for Shiva was so much that near Omkareshwar there is Maheshwar where Narmadaji is also present, due to Narmadaji and Omkareshwar the capital was shifted from Indore to Maheshwar. Ahilyabai’s faith in Shiva devotion was so much that Ahilyabai’s order was considered as the order of Lord Shiva.
Ahilyabai, who was blessed with extraordinary and unique talents, made many efforts for peace. She made diplomatic efforts for the security of the state by sending Rakhi to the kings of the neighbouring states but she herself led her army in the event of war. She created a contingent of women soldiers. She trained them and when Raghoba, to whom Ahilyabai used to send Rakhi, camped on the banks of Kshipra to usurp Ahilyabai’s kingdom and declared himself king, Ahilyabai decided to take on Raghoba with the help of women soldiers. Ahilyabai herself sent the message to Raghoba and also informed him about the consequences of the war.
Raghoba accepted Ahilyabai’s hospitality, abandoning the decision of war. Ahilyabai’s friendship with Raghoba, averting a possible war, shows Ahilyabai’s amazing political and diplomatic capabilities. On one hand, Ahilyabai’s kingdom was affected by the terror of bandits. On the other hand, the king was ready to usurp the kingdom considering Ahilyabai a weak woman. Even in such difficult circumstances, taking the kingdom towards happiness and prosperity is a task only Ahilyabai can do. Being born in an ordinary family in an ordinary village and being blessed with extraordinary talents is a symbol of Ahilyabai’s strict discipline, self-control and values. At the same time, it was not even in her imagination that she would run away or surrender in fear of extraordinary responsibilities. Many historians have written a lot about Ahilyabai, but no one has used words like surrender or running away for her. She made amazing efforts for girl education. She helped widows. It was prevalent at that time that if a woman becomes a widow and does not have a son, then all the property of such a woman had to be deposited in the treasury. The widow woman was extremely sad on the separation from her husband and then also out of property. Ahilyabai did not accept this. She understood the pain of the widow and changed the law that evicted the widow woman from her husband’s property and decided in favor of the widow woman on her husband’s property. The widow woman will get the husband’s property.
Ahilyabai has left a deep impression on the public mind. Ahilyabai is highly respected in the public mind and also has a special place. Every year in Indore, Bhadrapad Krishna Chaturdashi is celebrated as Ahilyotsav. In 1996, the Government of India issued a postage stamp in memory and honor of Ahilyabai’s works. In honor of Ahilyabai, the Maharashtra government has changed the name of Ahmednagar to Ahilya Nagar. Which is also the birthplace of Ahilyabai. During the rule of Ahilyabai, there was peace, prosperity and peace of mind among the people, along with this Maheshwar was established as the center of business activities. For the progress of women, Ahilyabai inspired to make such a saree which women would find comfortable to wear and after wearing it, women would feel proud. Today these sarees are made in the name of Maheshwari sarees. Which are in great demand not only in the country but also abroad. Special attention was given to art lovers in the state and from time to time they were also honored and rewarded. Even after ruling a small state, she looked at the whole of India with one vision. Even the Himalayas seem small in front of Ahilyabai’s bravery, wisdom and courageous life. In establishing friendly relations with other states
There is no match for Ahilyabai. Ahilyabai used to send Rakhis to the kings of all the states on the festival of Rakshabandhan. The 11-leafed Bilvapatra gifted to the King of Nepal is still present in the fort of Maheshwar. And reminds us of the glorious rule of Ahilyabai. The Holkar dynasty has the right to worship first on Mahashivratri at all the 12 Jyotirlingas of the country. This also includes the two Jyotirlingas Mallikarjuna and Ghrushneshwar which come under the state of Hyderabad Nizam. This right is the result of Ahilyabai’s gentleness and political foresight and political will power. By sending Rakhis and increasing friendship in all the states, not only did she protect Maheshwar or Malwa but also succeeded in efforts to bring political stability in Maheshwar or Malwa. Ahilyabai’s contribution to the protection of women’s interests and education in history is invaluable. This is the same Ahilyabai during whose reign qualified experts were employed to expand the knowledge of scriptures in temples and to make it reach the masses. Good governance, prosperity, respect in the hearts of the people and efficient management were the hallmarks of Ahilyabai’s rule. The people of the state were troubled by dacoits. Ahilyabai announced that she would marry her daughter Muktabai to the person who would help in catching the dacoits. Marrying her daughter to someone who would help reduce the pain of the people? Marrying her daughter to someone who was so saddened by the pain of the people that she would free them from dacoits? This could only be done by a queen like Ahilyabai and according to her promise, Ahilyabai married her daughter Muktabai to Yashwant Rao Phanse, but put the dacoits to work instead of giving them death penalty.
Ahilyabai’s contribution in transforming Indore from a small village to a skilled and prosperous city is important. The ruler who is remembered with the most respect in the Malwa and Nimar region is called Ahilyabai. Queen Ahilyabai considered cutting trees as a crime against God. Think how conscious Ahilyabai was about protecting the environment even more than 200 years ago. She had also ordered the farmers to plant 15-20 trees on their fields.
If we look at Ahilyabai’s life, many times Ahilyabai will be found in the avatar of a Karmayogi. Many times we will find Ahilyabai the warrior woman. Ahilyabai will be found as a devoted Shiva devotee. Ahilyabai will be found as a woman. Ahilyabai will be found as mother Ahilyabai. A clever political personality will be found. Ahilyabai who believed that justice was supreme. Ahilyabai who was soft-spoken. Ahilyabai who was engaged in the protection of religion and the establishment of religion. Ahilyabai who was a very successful diplomat. Even after being a queen, she will be found as a queen who lived her life like a saint or a sadhvi. The entire life of Ahilyabai is not only inspirational but also a guide for the smooth functioning of the administration. Ahilyabai died in 1795 but she will always be present in the hearts and minds of the Indian people due to her excellent thoughts and works.
Protection of her subjects for 28 years during the period of terror of the Mughals, security of the state, establishment of religion, reconstruction of religious places across the country, happiness, peace and prosperity, love for justice and justice so much that if the son of a cow’s calf got crushed by the chariot, she had no hesitation in ordering death penalty for the son. That is why Ahilyabai was called Lokmata.
The devotion of Shiva was so much that Maheshwar is near Omkareshwar, here Narmada ji is also there, due to Narmada ji and Omkareshwar, the capital moved from Indore to Maheshwar. Ahilyabai’s faith in Shiva devotion was so much that Ahilyabai’s order was considered to be the order of Lord Shiva.
{The writer is head of the editorial department of Pandit Deendayal Vichar Prakashan, Bhopal (M.P.)}