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mantrāṇāṃ mātṛkā devī śabdānāṃ jñānarūpiṇī
jñānānāṃ cinmayātītā śūnyānāṃ śūnyasākṣiṇī
yasyāḥ parataraṃ nāsti saiṣā durgā prakīrtitā [17-18.1]
मन्त्राणां मातृका देवी शब्दानां ज्ञानरूपिणी
ज्ञानानां चिन्मयातीता शून्यानां शून्यसाक्षिणी
यस्याः परतरं नास्ति सैषा दुर्गा प्रकीर्तिता
(Brihadaranyaka Upanishad)
Durga Puja is a significant Indian festival that honours the Hindu goddess Durga in her various incarnations. Maa Durga signifies Shakti and glorifies divine feminism. Durga Puja serves as a recognition and love towards the women in society. Durga Puja brings attention to the courage and resilience of the Shakti which consequently showcases the strength of women. In the context of Maa Shakti, it
Devi Ahilyaba’s ideals are still pertinent and play a pivotal role in defining and shaping the present norms of Indian society. Her commitment to social justice and leadership has created a foundation for understanding and advancing women’s rights in contemporary India
would be a pleasure to remind of Devi Ahilyabai. She serves as a shining example of real Shakti and empowering feminine folk in the 21st century. India celebrated Devi Ahilyabai’s 300th birthday in the year 2024. We can still feel her prominence in the history of India. Her glorious career signifies the epitome of ethics, courage, and leadership. Devi Ahilyabai had contributed a lot to Sanatana Dharma. She, indeed, had a profound influence in shaping India’s rich historical and cultural legacy.
Shakti in shaping the tide of Indian History
Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar was born in a small village named Chondi in the year 1725. She faced the hard Indian atrocities of the society from a very young age. She was married at an early age of 8 with Khaderao Holkar in the year 1733. She faced early widowhood at the age of 29 in the year 1745. She faced the atrocities bravely and turned successful. She can be defined as Shakti as she fought all the Indian societal challenges during that time. Devi Ahilyabai also received administrative and military expertise in that era. Her family strongly supported her education. She also earned the throne of the Malwa kingdom in Central India in 1767. Her reign in Malwa shows true progression in various fields in India. Indian infrastructure, arts, education flourished under her leadership. She is a beacon of true leadership. She made remarkable contribution in the form social welfare for the Indian society. Her contribution of Indian commerce was unwavering.
A living legend of feminism
Devi Ahilyaba’s ideals are still pertinent and play a pivotal role in defining and shaping the present norms of Indian society. Her commitment to social justice and leadership has created a foundation for understanding and advancing women’s rights in contemporary India. Devi Ahilyabai was true form of Devi Shakti. Devi Shakti and Ahilya Bai constitute two representations of feminine power. Devi Shakti depicts this strength in a spiritual setting, but Ahilya Bai conveys it through her acts of service and leadership. Devi Ahilyabai’s dedication towards Dharma, or righteousness, defined her personality and rule. Devi Ahilyabai believed in leading with intense morality and dedication towards justice. She ruled based on moral principles and made actions that put her citizens’ well-being first. She trusted in just governance.
Devi Ahilyabai contributions to Sanatan Dharma
Devi Ahilyabai was extraordinary and is remembered for her excellent governance. She was a pious Hindu. She made many contributions in developing the Ghats of India and built temples as well. It is believed that Ahilyabai’s heart was fully dedicated to the Hindu deity, Lord Shiva. During her reign, she focused on the renovation and building of multiple Shiva temples.
Devi Ahilyabai attended a lot of yagnas in her kingdom. Indian history witnessed a lot of destruction during the reign of Aurangzeb, the Mughal emperor. It was found
Devi Ahilyabai was an eminent feminine character and was the epitome of power, gallantry, humanitarianism, and devotion. Her reign in Malwa radiated her outstanding qualities like taxation system, silk weaving and much more
that after such destructive years, it was Devi Ahilyabai who took the responsibility to redevelop the demolished infrastructure and recreate it. It was Devi Ahilyabai who oversaw the rebuilding of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi in 1780. She took charge of constructing the Maheshwar temple and Somnath Temple in the year 1783. She reconstructed the Vishnupad Temple Gaya located in Bihar in the year 1787.
It is said that Ahilya Bai Holkar also made a huge contribution to rebuilding the famous Ghats of Rameswaram, Gaya, Dwarka, Omkareshwari, and Badrinath.
She constructed dharamshalas for visitors to make their traveling experience better. During her reign, the travelers found profound transformations in terms of infrastructural improvement during the 18th century. Additionally, she developed storage facilities for the Dharmashalas which improved their stays in the spiritual places. Her rule over Malwa is an illustration of her culture and faith. She is a figure of boldness and a great leader. She maintained her ethical principles in her kingdom. Her philosophical beliefs during her reign depict her genuine Hinduism and her contribution towards it.
Social Welfare of India
Devi Ahilyabai also made a huge contribution to the development of the community people. Her main goal was the improvement of the state’s welfare. She was strict against the injustices of society, which was considered exceptionally prevalent in those days. She ensured that everyone had entry to the Ghats and Dharmashalas which she constructed. She significantly aided in the growth and development of the Indian women and children.
Female Empowerment
Devi Ahilyabai was an eminent feminine character and was the epitome of power, gallantry, humanitarianism, and devotion. Her reign in Malwa radiated her outstanding qualities like taxation system, silk weaving and much more. She was indeed a wonderful leader and ruler. She proves to be bold but at the same time she was filled with empathy. She showed compassion and genuine care to the people of her kingdom. She possessed a modern perspective during that time. She can be described as a true liberal feminine character. She made a huge contribution in the field of arts, culture, and education.
The persona of Devi Ahilyabai has been recognized as a bold, courageous women leader. Such leadership symbolizes pure strength, perseverance, and dedication towards her people. She is still an inspiration to many people in India, today. Devi Ahilyabai and Devi Shakti serve as significant icons for female empowerment. They equally signify courage and determination of women. Devi Ahilyabai is a true Shakti as both have played significant roles in defining the societal norms that characterize modern Indian society.
(The writer is Member, Rajya Sabha)