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On May 31, 2025, India celebrates the 300th birth anniversary of the legendary Maratha queen, Punyashlok Devi Ahilyabai Holkar. Born three centuries ago, Ahilyabai’s life remains a timeless beacon of sacrifice, service, and unwavering commitment to the nation. In the 18th century, she ignited the flame of religious and social renaissance — a flame that still illuminates the soul of India. Her story is not just a page in history, but a living legacy in our nationalist consciousness.
Devi Ahilyabai was born on May 31, 1725, in Chondi village, located in Maharashtra’s Ahmednagar district. Though born into a modest farming family, her father Mankoji
One of her most profound contributions was the reconstruction of temples that had been destroyed during the Mughal era and successive medieval invasions. Among her most celebrated acts was the restoration of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, which rekindled the spiritual identity of the sacred city of Kashi
Shinde was the village head (Patil). Her deep religious inclinations and sharp intellect caught the attention of Malhar Rao Holkar, a leading Maratha general, who chose her as the bride for his son Khanderao Holkar.
Following the death of her husband in 1754, and her father-in-law in 1766, Ahilyabai Holkar took charge of the Malwa kingdom. In 1767, she formally ascended the throne, establishing her capital in Maheshwar. She delegated military command to Tukoji Rao Holkar, while she laid the foundation of a just, welfare-centric, and spiritually enriched administration.
One of her most profound contributions was the reconstruction of temples that had been destroyed during the Mughal era and successive medieval invasions. Among her most celebrated acts was the restoration of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, which rekindled the spiritual identity of the sacred city of Kashi.
She also spearheaded the rebuilding of the Somnath Temple in Gujarat, restoring India’s cultural pride. From Ayodhya, Mathura, and Dwarka to Ujjain, Prayagraj, Trimbakeshwar, Badrinath, and Rameshwaram, she not only renovated ancient temples but also built dharamshalas, ghats, wells, and other pilgrim-friendly facilities to ensure accessibility for all.
Ahilyabai’s governance was deeply rooted in public welfare. She prioritized the upliftment of the poor, Dalits, women, and the marginalized. Known for her unwavering sense of justice, she personally presided over court proceedings and ensured equal punishment for wrongdoers, regardless of status.
She raised social awareness against regressive customs such as untouchability, forced begging, and gender-based discrimination. Despite enduring the pain of widowhood herself, she opposed the practice of Sati and worked towards restoring the dignity of women in society.
Through her efforts, tribal communities such as Bhils and Gonds were integrated into the mainstream. She empowered them through agriculture, public service, and military roles, fostering self-reliance. Maheshwar, under her leadership, flourished into a hub of art, literature, and textile craftsmanship — with the famed Maheshwari sarees emerging from this cultural revival. She also provided patronage to musicians, poets, and scholars.
Yet, despite her immense contributions, Devi Ahilyabai remained under-recognized for decades after Independence. It is under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi that her role in history has been restored to its rightful stature.
At the inauguration of the Kashi Vishwanath Dham Corridor, Prime Minister Shri Modi paid special homage to Ahilyabai Holkar, installing a grand statue of hers within the temple complex. The PM declared that it was this noble queen who preserved the sanctity of the temple in its darkest hours.
At the inauguration of the Kashi Vishwanath Dham Corridor, Prime Minister Shri Modi paid special homage to Ahilyabai Holkar, installing a grand statue of hers within the temple complex
As he rightly said, “From Kashi Vishwanath to Somnath, Devi Ahilyabai Holkar remains a guiding light for India’s cultural resurgence.”
This wasn’t merely an act of installing a statue — it was a cultural reaffirmation. A powerful message to the world: India remembers its civilizational icons and stands firm in its Sanatan values.
Today, many flagship schemes initiated by Prime Minister Modi’s government — from Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, and Har Ghar Jal to Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and Ujjwala Yojana — are modern embodiments of Ahilyabai’s governance philosophy. The spirit of serving the underprivileged, providing clean water, shelter, and dignity, which once marked her reign, now thrives in the policies of the present government.
The motto of “Justice for all, Development for all” is an extension of the moral vision Ahilyabai upheld.
Punyashlok Devi Ahilyabai Holkar was not just a queen — she was a guardian of culture, a champion of inclusive governance, and a devout nation-builder. She defended temples when faith was under siege. She unified communities in an era of social fragmentation. She upheld women’s dignity at a time when they were invisible in the societal order.
As India marches toward a new age of nation-building, her memory reminds us what true leadership looks like — one that draws from the holy confluence of dharma, service, and social harmony to steer the nation forward.
Her 300th birth anniversary is not merely a commemoration — it is a moment of reflection, rededication, and resolve.
Jai Punyashlok Ahilyabai! Jai Bharat!
(The writer is National General Secretary, BJP)