Ahilyabai Holkar: The Lesser Known Story Of Malwa's Fearless Warrior

Most of us hardly get any time to commemorate our rich past and heritage. It took the heart and sweat of many unsung heroes to build the nation. However, not many are discussed t today. One such warrior who played a key role in women's education and empowerment back in the 18th century is Ahilyabai Holkar. India's history is incomplete without this her contributions towards women's education and empowerment back in the era when it was a far-fetched idea.

Ahilyabai Holkar: The Warrior Queen

Early Life Of Ahilyabai Holkar

Born in the year 1725 in the village of Chondi in Jamkhed, Ahmednagar, Ahilyabai Holkar was born in the family of Mankoji Rao Shinde who was the chief of the village. Ahilyabai was schooled to read and write at home. Not many know how Ahilyabai made it to royalty. It was when Malhar Rao Holkar spotted eight-year-old Ahilyabai at a temple feeding food to the hungry and poor on his way to Pune. He decided to ask Ahilya's hand for his son Khanderao Holkar. Ahilyabai and Khanderao got married in 1733 when the she was eight years old.

Khanderao was killed during the battle of Kumbher in the year 1754. Ahilyabai turned a widow at the age of 29. Her father-in-law, however, didn't let her commit Sati, a former practice where the widow give up herself on her husband's funeral pyre. After the demise of Malhar Rao and Ahilyabai's youngest son, Ahilyabai took up the kingdom in her own hands after making a petition to the Peshwa and became the ruler of Indore.

Ahilyabai Holkar was military trained and took up affairs like capturing the Gohad Fort near Gwalior. She was granted to take up the administration of the Holkar dynasty with subedar Tukoji Rao Holkar who was Malhar Rao's adopted son as her military head.

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A Born Leader Who Won Hearts

Ahilyabai Holkar ruled Indore for 30 long years. During her three-decade rule, Ahilyabai Holkar won everyone's hearts with her development work and philanthropy. She offered several donations to Hindu temples and worked towards building many forts and roads in Malwa. She also had a big contribution to constructing ghats, temples, tanks, wells and rest houses across India.

Joanna Baillie, a Scottish poet in one of his poem's mentioned Ahilyabai. The poem read,

"For thirty years her reign of peace,

The land in blessing did increase;

And she was blessed by every tongue,

By stern and gentle, old and young.

Yea, even the children at their mother’s feet

Are taught such homely rhyming to repeat

“In latter days from Brahma came,

To rule our land, a noble Dame,

Kind was her heart and bright her fame,

And Ahlya was her honored name.”

During her reign, Ahilyabai Holkar overcame many conflicts. Clash with Dewan Gangadhar Rao who rebelled against her and instigated others to attack her kingdom, one with Rajputs and another one with Bhils and Gonds for unethically seizing her kingdom's borders. She also made some landmark decisions during her reign including the removal of traditional law confiscating the property of childless widows.

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Ahilyabai Holkar's Death

The warrior died at the age of 70 in the year 1795. Her throne was then succeeded by her commander-in-chief and nephew, Tukoji Rao Holkar.