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When we gaze towards India’s cultural and political history, we get a new vision. Along with that, we are endowed with a fresh perspective and a profound sense of direction enriched by a legacy of innovation and far-sightedness. A retrospective glance at India’s past reveals countless sagas of valour, heroism, and indomitable courage. However, the history of India has witnessed many ups and downs. From time to time, various dynasties ruled over different regions of the country. There has been a series of mutual conflicts and wars among them for the kingdom. But among all these, the Indian dynasties have had an all-India vision full of unity regarding the
Devi Ahilyabai was a proficient sovereign of the Indore dynasty who inscribed a new chapter in history through her piety, unwavering commitment to duty, policies, justice, good governance, and farsighted decisions and actions
values of cultural unity and nationalism. Along with the valiant and glorious kings, India’s courageous queens also took the reins of governance and power into their own hands, thereby creating a new chapter in history. Lokmata Punya Shlok Devi Ahilyabai Holkar represents the same heroic women’s power of India. His birthplace was Maharashtra, but his place of work was all entire India, including Maheshwar (Indore).
Devi Ahilyabai was a proficient sovereign of the Indore dynasty who inscribed a new chapter in history through her piety, unwavering commitment to duty, policies, justice, good governance, and farsighted decisions and actions. She was famous for her people-centric and welfare-oriented rule, mastery in military strategy, diplomatic acumen, and strategic skill. Words such as sacrifice, penance, valor, courage, and selflessness very short in describing her greatness. Although the period of her reign was between 1767 and 1795 AD, her vision far surpassed the so-called modern standards of today. Even the most adverse circumstances and life-shattering events could not deter Lokmata Ahilyabai from her chosen path. She was a woman whose husband had attained martyrdom in battle, who faced the immense crisis of widowhood, whose father-in-law, like a father to her, had grown old, and the kingdom is under the threat of external enemies and internal disturbances. Having all this, Lokmata Ahilyabai dedicates the kingdom to Lord Shiva and ascends the throne.
She always says “I am running the state with the permission of Lord Shiva.” Once she took the reins of power into her own hands, she set an enduring example of exemplary administration, embodying the spirit of a true and noble queen. Through her just and righteous governance, she earned fame across the country. Due to her religious devotion, she came to be known as ‘Punyashloka’ i.e. virtue like a shloka and by the titles like Lokmata or Goddess.
When a ruler inspires such devotion and trust among the people, it is unique itself. With her pan-Indian vision, Ahilyabai undertook actions for the welfare of her subjects and the nation deeds that remain ever memorable and worthy of emulation. But how can any state become a great state? How will the governance system run in an orderly manner? There should be peace among the people and everyone should remain on the path of prosperity. For this, it becomes essential for that state to have a clear and strong ‘security policy’. Lokmata Ahilyabai was successful in making her governance system safe, impenetrable and undefeatable because she did all such works which were necessary to protect the state from external and internal enemies.
She was far ahead of her time in her thinking. A memorable and significant episode related to her strategic acumen and diplomatic finesse is as follows: While Ahilyabai was grieving and unsettled by the successive deaths of her husband, father-in-law, and son, rebellious elements within the kingdom were inviting external enemies to attack. Gangoba Tatya invited Raghunathrao, also known as Raghoba the uncle of Peshwa Madhavrao, to attack Maheshwar. As soon as Ahilyabai learned of Gangoba’s conspiracy, she immediately devised her strategy. She sent letters seeking help to two of the Holkar dynasty’s most trusted allies, Sardar Mahadji Shinde and Tukoji Holkar. Both immediately set out towards Maheshwar to support Ahilyabai. At the same time, Ahilyabai wrote a letter to Raghoba, stating that she was prepared to defend her kingdom with her women’s army and would fight for her state until her last breath. She warned him that if he were to be defeated by a woman’s army, it would bring him dishonour and disgrace everywhere.
Despite this, Raghoba advanced towards Maheshwar, reaching the banks of the Shipra River. Meanwhile, Tukoji Holkar sent a stern warning letter to Raghoba on behalf of Ahilyabai. This alarmed Raghoba, and he retreated without engaging in battle. In this context, we get a clear glimpse of Lokmata Ahilyabai’s quick decision-making power, farsightedness and efficient coordination management. According to the strategy she had made in her mind, she defeated her enemy without a fight. She forced him to return. Such diplomatic finesse and strategic acumen were truly rare.
Ahilyabai integrated women into military service at a time when such an idea was unimaginable. She undertook the monumental task of ensuring women’s participation in the field of security, just as in other spheres. She formed a women’s army, made proper arrangements for their military training, taught them the use of
Ahilyabai integrated women into military service at a time when such an idea was unimaginable. She undertook the monumental task of ensuring women’s participation in the field of security, just as in other spheres
weapons, and trained them in warfare and strategy. This empowered women to participate in battle alongside male soldiers, regardless of the circumstances. Similarly, she took important initiatives to modernise his army, make it self-reliant in weapons and manufacture weapons with his own technology.
During her reign in the mid-17th and 18th centuries, she commissioned the production of cannons of various sizes small, medium, and large for her army. She ensured the meticulous manufacture of cannonballs and bullets for firearms. Lokmata Ahilyabai oversaw the creation of specialized bows, arrows, spears, shields, and other superior weaponry tailored to the needs of her time. She placed particular emphasis on keeping her army efficient and modernized in accordance with contemporary advancements. Not only this, Ahilyabai took special care of her army.
Ahilyabai Holkar cared for her soldiers like a mother, made every possible effort to ensure the well-being and advancement of her soldiers. In this context, she publicly honored the valiant and loyal soldiers of her kingdom for their exemplary service. By rewarding those who rendered outstanding and distinguished service, she consistently boosted the morale of her army. This practice naturally fostered a healthy sense of competition and dedication among the soldiers toward their duties. An excellent quality of an excellent ruler-administrator is that he is skilled and adept in turning every time, situation and event in his favour. Ahilyabai was an expert in this matter. There was no equal to the uniqueness of her vision.
She was highly skilled in devising strategies to protect the state from external invasions and internal disturbances. On one hand, she worked especially towards making the army strong, all-powerful and self-reliant. On the other hand, she was
Lokmata Ahilyabai Holkar successfully fostered cordial ties not only with the traditional allies of the Holkar dynasty but also with nearly all neighboring states. Her distinctive administrative approach earned her widespread respect across various regions of the country
also successful in converting her original thinking into results for solving internal disturbances and problems. The second incident related to her reign is related to the Bhil tribe, who at that time were engaged in acts of violence and looting, thereby disrupting the administration of the state and causing unrest among the people. To address this issue and ensure a long-term solution, Ahilyabai undertook a unique and innovative initiative. She reasoned with the Bhils and integrated them into the mainstream by encouraging them to take up agriculture and other occupations.
Similarly, she also made a special announcement to get rid of the terror of thieves and dacoits in the state. Lokmata Ahilyabai announced that she would marry her daughter Muktabai to the person who would eliminate dacoits from the state. A brave and valiant man from her own kingdom, Yashwant Rao Phanse, accomplished the task. Keeping her word, Ahilyabai then arranged the marriage of Yashwant Rao Phanse and Muktabai.
The message we get from these incidents related to the life of Punyashlok Devi Ahilyabai is that with her intelligence, she took various fundamental measures for the security of the state. With innovations, she ensured the external and internal security of the state. If there were any obstacles that could stop the happiness, peace and prosperity of the state, she mitigated those obstacles. She took steps towards a new path and provided a peaceful environment to the people.
An essential aspect of any state’s security policy is the establishment of friendly relations with neighboring and other states. Lokmata Ahilyabai Holkar successfully fostered cordial ties not only with the traditional allies of the Holkar dynasty but also with nearly all neighboring states. Her distinctive administrative approach earned her widespread respect across various regions of the country. It was the result of his far-sighted thinking that his kingdom became famous all around. The echo of her excellent governance based on good governance and ‘self’ was resonating all around. On 13 August 1795, Lokmata left her divine body of Goddess form and embarked on the eternal journey of Mahaprasthan. But through her great, noble and always exemplary personality and deeds, she handed over the ideals of governance and the formation of an excellent society. She proved that – what should be the ideal of a woman in Indian society? Along with this, she told that when the women power of India realizes its resolutions, then it is worshipped in the world as a holy person and a goddess. Her deeds and ideals will continue to flow through every vein of India for as long as the country exists. From her security policies to her achievements in various fields, her legacy offers an immortal message not only for the present, but also for shaping the India of the future.
Lokmata Ahilyabai’s philosophy of awareness about the times and her visionary guidance mark the dawn of a new consciousness, paving the way for India to advance towards its foundational ideal of becoming a world leader.
(The writer is a Columnist and Journalist)