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Importance of Ahilyabai Holkar

Last updated on May 28th, 2025 Posted on May 28, 2025 by NEXT IAS Current Affairs Team  785

Syllabus :GS 1/History 

In News

  • Madhya Pradesh is marking the 300th birth anniversary of Maratha queen Devi Ahilyabai Holkar with a major state-led campaign. 

Ahilyabai Holkar

Ahilyabai Holkar
  • Early Life: She  was the Holkar Queen of the Maratha-ruled Malwa kingdom in India.
    • She was Born in Chaundi village, Maharashtra, to Mankoji Rao Shinde.
    • She received an education from her father despite the norms against women’s education at the time.
  • Personal Tragedies:   Ahilyabai Holkar’s husband, Khanderao, died in the Battle of Kumbher in 1754. Twelve years later, her father-in-law, Malhar Rao Holkar, also passed away.
    • Her son Malerao, who was mentally ill, died in 1767. 
  • Role as a queen  :   In 1767, she became the queen of the Malwa kingdom.
    • She moved the capital to Maheshwar south of Indore on the Narmada River.
    • She defended her kingdom from invaders, led armies herself, and appointed Tukojirao Holkar as Chief of Army. 
    • She broke another tradition when she married her daughter to Yashwantrao, a brave but poor man after he succeeded in defeating the dacoits.
  • Contributions :  In the 18th century, she was instrumental in spreading the message of dharma and propagating industrialization. She was a devout ruler known for her charitable works.
    • She built hundreds of Hindu temples and rest houses (Dharmashalas) across India. 
      • One of her most notable contributions was the renovation of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in 1780.
    • She also established a textile industry in Maheshwar, which today is very famous for its Maheshwari sarees. 
    •  She held daily public audiences to address people’s issues and engaged in extensive philanthropic work, including building temples, ghats, wells, tanks, and rest-houses across India. 
  • Legacy:  She was known as the ‘Philosopher Queen,’ she passed away on 13 August 1795 at the age of 70.
    • Her reign is remembered as a period of peace, prosperity, and religious tolerance.
    • She was a capable and respected ruler, and after her death, she was revered as a saint by the people.
    • Her legacy endures through the many public works she commissioned.

Source  :IE

 
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