PrintFriendlyThe name of ‘Punyashlok Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar’ is inscribed as ‘Lokmata’ in the hearts of millions of people of India. As the queen of Malwa state in Central India, she has left an indelible mark on the minds of the people through her governance and her role as a ‘philosopher queen’ and ‘saint’. Blessed with a great personality, Ahilyabai Holkar is known as an ideal woman, patron of art and literature, governance, public welfare work, piety, and an adept politician. As an empress, karmayogini, and warrior, full of compassion, lover of justice, and
She used to say, “The responsibilities which the god has given to me, I have to fulfil them. My job is to keep my subject happy. I am responsible for all my work. Whatever I am doing here on the strength of state power and my capabilities, I will have to answer for them before God.”
dedicated to the well-being of her subjects while respecting the dictum of the rule of law, Maharani Aialyabai was worshipped as a goddess. She was renowned for her saintliness, compassion and duty-bound ruler. She was blessed with multifaceted talents and a multidimensional personality. It is a matter of joy that the country is celebrating the tercentenary year of Rani Ahilyabai Holkar this year.
In village Chaundi of Ahmadnagar district in Maharashtra, Ahilyabai was born on 31 May, 1725, in an extremely humble and religious family to mother Sushilabai and father Mankoji Shinde. Since the beginning, she was imbued with a divine glow which was immediately noticed by the Subedar of Malwas, Malharrao Holker. On seeing her, he got her married to his son, Khanderao Holker, in 1733. Although Ahilyabai devoted her time to her family from 1733 to 1754, she also had administrative responsibilities during this period. Having recognised her talents, Malharrao had been assigning her administrative responsibilities from the beginning. She had to undergo unbearable pain in 1754, when she lost her husband during a war. Thereafter, she had to pass through untold miseries when one by one her mother-in-law, Gutamabai; father-in-law, Malharrao; only son, Malerao; only grandson, Nathoba; daughter, Muktabai; and son-in-law, Yashwant Rao, left for their heavenly abode. Even amid unspeakable personal losses and indescribable pain, Maharani Ahilyabai continuously carried forward her unparalleled efforts towards good governance, social reforms, cultural rejuvenation and civilisational renaissance while creating a niche for herself in people’s hearts.
Maharani Ahilyabai, in her good governance, presented a unique model of her selfless affection towards her subjects. She used to say, “The responsibilities which the god has given to me, I have to fulfil them. My job is to keep my subject happy. I am responsible for all my work. Whatever I am doing here on the strength of state power and my capabilities, I will have to answer for them before God.” During her rule, her subject had no threat from external enemies, thieves, dacoits or from any corrupt officials of the state. They used to feel completely safe and secure. The judicial system was so organised and impartial that the offenders were meted out punishments they deserved. The state was prosperous in every respect due to the promotion of agriculture, rebates to farmers in taxes and a just taxation system. Indore and Maheshwar had emerged as flourishing trade centres. Suitable legal frameworks were created for women, children and widows through various social reforms. Maharani, adept in the art of warfare herself, had personally led the army several times and crushed her enemies decisively. She also formed an army wing comprising exclusively of women.
Along with construction of roads, establishment of an efficient postal service, water management, and arrangements for education, she also renovated and reconstructed many religious, cultural centres and dharmashalas. Whether it was the reconstruction of Somnath temple, reconstruction of ancient temples of Ayodhya, Kashi and Mathura, or reconstruction of char dham, saptapuri and twelve jyotirlingas, Maharani Ahilyabai carried out these pious works through her own personal treasury. Even the work done for Pashupatinath temple in Nepal is still fresh in the memory of the people. In addition to the construction of innumerable banks and river fronts on holy rivers and the construction of many ponds and water reservoirs, she also established the significance of worship, yajna, satsang and charity through her own example.
This special issue is a humble effort of ‘Kamal Sandesh’ to pay floral tribute to her memories on this auspicious occasion. The articles published in this special issue are ‘sanjivani’ and inspire us to remain engaged in ‘Shabd Yagya’. We feel highly obliged to our writers/contributors for their invaluable articles. We hope that our esteemed readers will definitely bless our efforts.