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The women of India have earned such a revered place in history that even the gods have been deprived of it. The personality and achievements of Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar place her among the greatest women of the world. Relying on the power of her intellect, Mata Ahilyabai accomplished many historic deeds. Her entire life was devoted to Sanatan Dharma and justice. The kind of unforgettable work she did for the Hindu religion is something even mighty kings and emperors could not achieve.
Mata Ahilyabai is an ideal and source of inspiration for all of us. She has had a profound impact on Indian history and on the hearts of the people. It is childhood values that shape the future of individuals. These very values pave the way for success in life
Every great person is born into some caste, as the caste system is a structural part of society that has existed for centuries. However, what is important is that great individuals do not belong to any single caste—they belong to the entire nation. It is not appropriate to confine them to one caste. Mata Ahilyabai is an ideal and source of inspiration for all of us. She has had a profound impact on Indian history and on the hearts of the people. It is childhood values that shape the future of individuals. These very values pave the way for success in life. Who would have thought that a gentle, calm, and intelligent young girl born in the village of Chaundi, Jamkhed, in Ahmednagar would so deeply impress the Malwa Subedar Malhar Rao with her devotion and singing that he would not hesitate to propose her marriage to his son Khanderao by approaching her father, Mankoji?
Deeply moved by the girl’s values, Malhar Rao was convinced that she would win everyone’s hearts through her virtues, good conduct, and spirit of service, and that she would succeed in guiding Khanderao in the right direction—and that is exactly what happened. Young Ahilya possessed all the qualities of an ideal Indian woman. It was due to her wisdom, humility, service, sacrifice, and tolerance that Khanderao developed a sense of self-respect and valor. Ahilyabai gradually began taking interest in administration, and she was given responsibility for arranging ammunition, guns, cannons, and supplies on the battlefield. In the midst of this, she gave birth to Malerao in 1745 and Muktabai in 1748.
On the Path of Public Welfare
The queen cared deeply for travelers, the poor, the disabled, saints and sages, animals, birds, and all living beings. She never hesitated to work for the welfare of her soldiers and employees either. She ensured salaries were paid on time and rewarded brave and loyal soldiers for their valorous deeds. Ahilyabai’s heart beat for people of all classes in society. She rebuilt temples in places such as Badrinath, Kedarnath, Rameshwaram, Jagannath Puri, Dwarka, Paithan, Maheshwar, Vrindavan, Supaleshwar, Ujjain, Pushkar, Pandharpur, Chinchwad, Chikhalda, Alampur, Devprayag, Rajapur, and many others. She also constructed ghats (riverfront steps) and opened free meal centers (Annasatras or Sadavrits) where food was served daily to the needy. Along with the Kashi Vishwanath temple, she led the construction and restoration of temples across the country. She built resting places for pilgrims at the Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga, temples of Lord Ram in Ayodhya and Nashik, reconstructed the Somnath temple, and generously built the Chintamani Ganapati temple in Ujjain. Through her welfare and philanthropic efforts, the queen played a pivotal role in nation-building. She also made commendable efforts to promote religious, social, and national unity in India. Remarkably, all these activities were funded solely through her “Khasgi” property, which was the private estate fully controlled by the royal family. Renowned historian Chintamani Vinayak Vaidya wrote, “Her religiosity was so generous that she made her name immortal in every domain of religion and ethics. Her charitable giving was so extraordinary that no one in Hindustan has ever matched it to this day.”
Qualities of Glorious Heroes
The qualities of the glorious heroes of history can be seen in Queen Ahilyabai. How can any woman possess all virtues? In history, present, and future, it is almost impossible for so many qualities to exist in a single person. Queen Ahilyabai, who was filled with righteousness, administrative excellence, respect for scholars and justice, generosity, noble religious policy, devotion, bravery, sacrifice, and courage, will remain immortal for ages to come. Endowed with the virtues of legendary rulers of history, the Queen is a source of inspiration for all of us. Her name will always be written in golden letters.
She carried out many works for the welfare of the people, including the following:
Promotion of Agriculture: She provided land to farmers, built ponds and canals for irrigation, and encouraged the cultivation of cotton and spices.
Development of Industries: She established the textile industry famous for Maheshwari sarees, which provided employment to the people.
Social Reforms: She arranged employment for widows and prisoners and provided women with access to education and healthcare.
Cultural Development: She built temples, ghats, and other religious sites, which awakened religious sentiments among the people.
Reform in Tax Policy and Welfare of Farmers
Ahilyabai Holkar’s tax policy was just and simple. She reduced excessive taxes and abolished the unjust levies imposed by previous rulers. By easing the tax burden on farmers, she promoted agricultural production. During natural calamities like drought or famine, she provided tax relief to support the farmers.
Scientific Approach and Agricultural Reforms
Ahilyabai Holkar adopted water management techniques in her agricultural reforms. She built stepwells and reservoirs, which were crucial for irrigation and water supply during times of drought. Additionally, she encouraged the use of improved farming tools and sustainable agricultural practices such as crop rotation and mixed farming, leading to increased productivity and better soil health.
Ahilyabai as a Warrior Queen
Ahilyabai was not only a skilled administrator but also a valiant warrior queen. After the death of her husband, she took charge of the Malwa kingdom and defended it with her military prowess. She personally led her army on the battlefield and successfully preserved the stability and sovereignty of her state. Her life will always serve as a source of inspiration for all citizens of the nation. Prime Minister Modi has embraced the principles and ideals of Devi Holkar in every possible way, setting new milestones that have helped India shine like a star on the global stage.
(The writer is National President of BJP Kisan Morcha)