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Ahilyabai Holkar was an extraordinary woman born into an ordinary family. Because of her remarkable personality and achievements, she is still revered and respected like a goddess today. She dedicated her entire life to the welfare of the people. Although she was the ruler of the Malwa state, her exemplary deeds made her renowned throughout the country. She holds a prominent place in Indian history.
Ahilyabai Holkar was born on May 31, 1725 in Chaundi village of Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra. Her father’s name was Mankoji Shinde. Who earned his livelihood through farming. He was also the village head. She was the only child of her parents. Therefore, she was the beloved of her parents. They educated their
Ahilyabai Holkar loved her subjects as if they were her own children. She was a brave warrior and a skilled archer, leading her army in several battles. She also formed a women’s regiment. She emphasized maintaining peace, law, and order in her state
daughter. Her simplicity and virtuous character greatly impressed Malhar Rao Holkar, the ruler of Malwa. He arranged for Ahilyabai to marry his son, Khanderao.
With her gentle nature, she quickly won the hearts of her in-laws, who grew very fond of her. She was blessed with two children—a son named Male Rao and a daughter named Muktabai. Everything in her life was going well, But suddenly clouds of crisis loomed over his life. The Battle of Kumbher profoundly disrupted her life. In this fierce conflict between the Jats and the Marathas, Khanderao attained martyrdom. Ahilyabai Holkar became a widow while still in her youth. She felt that her life had lost its meaning. Consequently, she decided to commit sati by ascending her husband’s funeral pyre.
Malhar Rao Holkar was deeply saddened by the death of his son. Now his pain increased further when he heard about his daughter-in-law’s decision to commit sati. He explained to Ahilyabai Holkar and convinced her to give up her decision of becoming sati.
As a result, she renounced colorful clothing and adopted white attire. She took a lifelong vow to serve her people. She began devoting her time to public service and state administration. Malhar Rao Holkar ensured that his daughter-in-law became skilled in matters of governance, teaching Ahilyabai every aspect of administration. Ahilyabai Holkar did not merely issue directives from the throne; she actively oversaw the administration of her state. She traveled extensively across the country, engaging in various aspects of governance—from tax collection to the dispensation of justice. During periods when Malhar Rao Holkar was away due to military campaigns or other obligations, he provided her with guidance through letters.
Through these experiences, Ahilyabai Holkar adeptly learned the art of governance.
After the death of Malhar Rao Holkar, Ahilyabai Holkar was suddenly confronted with multiple crises: on one hand, the profound grief of losing her loved ones, and on the other, the heavy responsibility of the state. But even in these adverse circumstances, she did not lose courage and decided to keep moving forward. She took care of her family and, at the same time, assumed the reins of governance. After some time, her son Male Rao, under her able guidance, took charge of the administration of Malwa. But misfortune did not leave him. Later, his son Malerao, grandson Nathu, son-in-law Yashwant Rao Phanse and daughter Muktabai also died. The grief of his loved ones was unbearable for him. But for the welfare of her kingdom and its people, Ahilyabai Holkar hid her pain and suffering in her heart, because the sole aim of her life was public welfare.
Ahilyabai Holkar loved her subjects as if they were her own children. She was a brave warrior and a skilled archer, leading her army in several battles. She also formed a women’s regiment. She emphasized maintaining peace, law, and order in her state. During her nearly thirty-year reign, the state made significant progress in the fields of art, dance, music, literature, agriculture, and industry. Poets, writers, artists, sculptors, and scholars were highly respected in her kingdom. She established the textile industry in Maheshwar, which became renowned for its Maheshwari sarees.
Ahilyabai Holkar did many excellent works in public interest, which made her immortal. She did development work not only in her state but also outside the state. She also constructed many temples, Ghats, wells, stepwells, dharamshalas, ashrams, food centers and drinking water stalls at many places of pilgrimage. These include Varanasi, Ayodhya, Mathura, Haridwar, Gaya, Dwarka, Somnath, Badrinarayan, Jagannath Puri and Rameshwar etc.
She made special arrangements for women to bathe safely at the river Ghats, ensuring they could do so in a secure environment without fear. During festivals, she generously donated to temples. Ahilyabai Holkar played a crucial role in transforming the small village of Indore into a prosperous and developed city. She also paid special attention to cleanliness. The residents here also respect him from their hearts. It is noteworthy that Indore remains the leader among the cleanest cities of the country. She did many works for the welfare of women. She encouraged women’s education. She believed that an educated woman is more aware of her duties and rights. Only an aware and enlightened woman can make a significant contribution to the prosperity of society. Ahilyabai Holkar paid special attention to improving the condition of widowed women. She amended the laws related to widows. According to the law at that time, if a woman became a widow and had no son, her husband’s entire property was to be deposited in the royal treasury. However, Ahilyabai Holkar changed this rule and granted widows the right to inherit their husband’s property. This brought significant improvement to the status of widows in her state.
She took her last breath in Indore on August 13, 1795, which was the day of Bhadrapada Krishna Chaturdashi Because of her virtuous character and work for public welfare, Ahilyabai Holkar became so popular that people revered her as a goddess and even worshipped her. Even today, in her memory, the Ahilya Utsav is organized every year in Indore on Bhadrapada Krishna Chaturdashi.
The Government of India issued a postage stamp in honor of Ahilyabai Holkar on 25 August 1996. Her statues have been installed in many cities of the country. Many awards have been started in her name in the country and many schemes are running.
The Government of Madhya Pradesh started the ‘Devi Ahilya Samman’in 1996-97 to honor the creativity of women artists in the fields of tribal, folk, and traditional arts.
In Uttarakhand, the ‘Ahilyabai Holkar Sheep and Goat Development Scheme’ is being run in her name. Under this scheme, grants are provided for setting up goat rearing units to the unemployed, BPL ration card holders, women, and economically weaker individuals.
In her honor, the Indore domestic airport has been named Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport. Similarly, Indore University has been named “Devi Ahilya University”.
The Maharashtra government has also renamed Ahmednagar as “Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Nagar”in recognition of Ahilyabai Holkar’s legacy.
Moropant, a poet of his time, has praised Ahilyabai Holkar highly and has written – “The loyal and dutiful character of Devi Ahilyabai is popular not only in Maharashtra but in the entire country. “She always works with good intentions and works for the welfare of all. Due to these good qualities, she has a place in the hearts of people.”
First Prime Minister of India Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru writes about Ahilyabai Holkar in his book ‘The Discovery of India’: “For thirty years, Ahilyabai ruled Indore in Central India. This period is renowned for its excellent administration and good governance, which brought prosperity to the people. She was a highly capable ruler and administrator, who was greatly respected during her lifetime. After her death, grateful people regarded her as a saint”.
According to historian Chintamani Vinayak Vaidya, “Her religiousness was so broad-minded that she made her name immortal in every field of religion and ethics. Her charity and philanthropy were so great that no one in India has matched them to this day.” Undoubtedly, Ahilyabai Holkar was a virtuous soul from whom we should all draw inspiration.
(The author is Associate Professor in the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, Lucknow University)