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The Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) organized a special lecture recently on the life and legacy of Devi Ahilyabai Holkar, titled Commemorating the 300th birth anniversary of her.
- Ahilyabai Holkar was a Holkar Queen who ruled the Malwa kingdom in the 18th century.
- She was born in Chondi, present-day Ahmednagar District, Maharashtra, India, on May 31, 1725.
- Father - Mankoji Rao Shinde.
- She was married to Khanderao Holkar, son of Malhar Rao Holkar (Founder of Holkar Dynasty).
- After 12 years, her husband Khanderao was killed during the siege of the Kumher Fort.
- Her son, Male Rao, died in 1767.
- In 1767, the Peshwa permitted Ahilyabai to take over Malwa.
- She ascended the throne and became the ruler of Indore on December 11, 1767.
- Maharani Ahilyabai ruled over Malwa with its capital, Maheswar, for 28 years.
- Ahilyabai also established a textile industry in Maheshwar.
Maheswari Saress got a Geographical Indication Tag in 2012.
- She was instrumental in spreading the message of dharma and propagating industrialization.
- She welcomed Marathi poet Moropant, Shahir Ananta Gandhi, and Sanskrit scholar Khushali Ram into her capital.
- Ahilyabai Holkar tried to protect her kingdom from plundering invaders by appointin Tukojirao Holkar as the Chief of Army.
- She renovated and repaired the famous Kashi Vishwanath Temple in 1780.
- She reconstructed the Somnath Temple and Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain.
- During her reign, she made significant decisions, such as abolishing traditional laws that confiscated property from childless widows.
- She was famously known as the ‘Philosopher Queen’.
- She died in Rajwada, Indore, present-day Madhya Pradesh, on August 13, 1795, at the age of 70.
Reference
PIB | Devi Ahilyabai Holkar
