Devi Ahilyabai Holkar

Why in News?

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 300^th birth anniversary of her.

• Ahilyabai Holkar was a Holkar Queen who ruled the Malwa kingdom in the 18^th 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