The malwa queen:- Ahilyabai holkar

 As the 8th March is the international women’s day , I am going to tribute the warrior of the 18th century women , “Ahilyabai holkar”.

Ahilyabai born on may 31 1725 , in the village of chondi in jamkhed, ahmednagar.

She was the finest female ruler in indian history. As a prominent ruler of the malwa kingdom.

Early life

Ahilyabai father, mankoji rao shinde, was the patil (chief) of the village &home-schooled.

Ahilyabai was not belong to a royal family. She was a middle class girl. When malhar rao the nobleman of malwa terriority. Seen a eight years old girl helping and feeding the poor and hungry people’s while on his way to pune. He inspired by her kindness.

Malhar rao ask ahilyabai father for their daughter hands to their son. Ahilyabai got married to khanderao holkar in 1733 at the age of 8 .

In the battle of kumbher, khanderao was died in 1754 , leaving her a widow at the age of 29 only. After that all want that ahilyabai become sati, but, she refused to become sati. And her father in law supported her. Her father in law soon died in the battle and she loss her biggest support pillar. And kingdom felt a strong vacant, but ahilyabai son become the king, but soon her son also died., After that she takes the political matter in their hand for the welfare of the kingdom &become the ruler of indore on 11 December 1767.

John keay :- the Britishers give her the title of “philosopher queen of malwa” .

Ahilyabai holkar not only a brave queen & skilled ruler, but also learned politician. She established holkar army in some these battles against the intruders, establishing orders in the kingdom Ahilyabai set up her capital of maheshwar on the banks of the narmada river. The mighty established by her stand today also. In her power indore become the major trading hub, from being a small town. After that she seprated the states revenue from the personal use of Ruiling family. Her personal expense were met from inherited wealth & the land she holiding.

Britishers and other malwa enemies trying to established their rule in malwa. Because malwa is vacant for their king. But, she always become a strong wall between the malwa & her malwa enmys.

Ahilyabai also built the temples which destroyed by mughals and Britishers.

The List of temples are endless.

The most famous & a current is kashi vishwanath temple in varanasi destroyed by mughal. The temple manfactured in the year 1780 111 years after its destruction.

Somnath temple also built rebuilt in 1783 by all maratha confederates. She contributed to the betterment of facilities at dwarka and bhimashankar and trimbekeshwar . Ahilyabai contributed to holy sites of the jyotilingas.

She has built many temples in their time, she will always take shivling with her whenever she going to start the new thing.

Ahilyabai give the name of “devi” Is the mark of geninue love and affection &respect of people of malwa .

Ahilyabai died in the year 1795 . At the age of 70 .

Her name is enrished, despite the works, she undertook all over in India.