AHILYABAI HOLKAR -
MODERN INDIA
News: Ahilyabai Holkar an ideal for
all administrators: Bhagwat on her 299th birth anniversary
What's in the news?
●
Calling her an “ideal” for all administrators,
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat Friday paid tribute to
queen Ahilyabai Holkar on her 299th birth anniversary, who provided “good
governance”.
Ahilyabai Holkar:
●
Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar (31 May 1725 – 13 August 1795) was the Holkar Queen of the Maratha Malwa kingdom, India.
Early Life and
Ascension:
●
Ahilyabai Holkar was born in 1725 in the village of
Chondi in present-day Maharashtra, India.
Marriage and Early
Tragedy:
●
She married Khanderao Holkar and later faced
personal tragedy with the untimely death of her husband and her father-in-law,
Malhar Rao Holkar.
○
Ahilyabai's husband, Khanderao Holkar, was killed
in the battle of Kumbher in 1754.
Reign and
Administration:
Ascension to Power:
●
Ahilyabai became the ruler of the Malwa kingdom in 1767 after the death
of her son, Male Rao Holkar.
Governance:
●
Her reign, lasting until 1795, is noted for its administrative
efficiency, social reforms, and justice.
●
She personally handled the administration and
judicial matters of her state.
Contributions and
Development Works:
Infrastructure
Development:
●
She invested in the construction and repair of
roads, wells, and ghats (river steps), significantly improving infrastructure.
Industries:
●
She was instrumental in spreading the message of
dharma and propagating industrialization.
●
She established a textile industry in Maheshwar, which today is very famous for its
Maheshwari sarees.
Support for Agriculture:
●
Ahilyabai supported agriculture by financing irrigation projects and protecting
farmers.
Religious Contributions:
●
A deeply religious person, she patronized the
construction and renovation of numerous Hindu
temples and Dharamshalas (rest houses) across India, including the famous
temples in Kashi, Dwarka, and Somnath.
Cultural Impact and
Patronage:
Support for Arts and
Culture:
●
She was a patron of art, culture, and learning,
providing support to poets, musicians, and scholars.
Education:
●
Ahilyabai emphasized the importance of education,
setting up educational institutions during her reign.
Legacy and Recognition:
Revered Figure:
●
Ahilyabai Holkar is revered as one of the finest
female rulers in Indian history, known for her wisdom, dedication, and
benevolent leadership.
Social Reform:
●
She also made some landmark decisions during her
reign, including the removal of
traditional law confiscating the property of childless widows.
Inspiration:
●
Her rule is often cited as a model of just and
people-centric governance, inspiring generations.
Modern Day Tribute:
●
Ahilyabai’s contributions to society and her role
as a pioneering woman leader continue to be celebrated in India, with various
memorials and institutions named in her honor.
●
John Keay, the British historian, gave the queen the title of
‘The Philosopher Queen’.