The Philosopher Queen, Ahilyabai Holkar

May 31

Ahilyabai Holkar, one of the finest female rulers in Indian history, was born on this day, in 1725.

After the demise of her husband, Khande Rao, in 1754, Ahilyabai decided to commit Sati, but her father-in-law, Malhar Rao dissuaded her and trained her in military and administrative affairs. Later his father in-law also expired and after a few months her own son, Male Rao. She ascended the throne and became the ruler of Indore in 1767.

She was a learned politician. Her observation of the British and their agenda was something even the Maratha Peshwa had missed noticing. She was given the title of Philosopher Queen by a British historian, John Keyas.

She defended the Malwa state against intruders and personally led her army into battle with her nephew and military commander, Tukojirao Holkar.
She crushed a rebellion with iron hand against her regime by her Dewan.

As a prominent ruler of the Malwa kingdom, Ahilyabai promoted farmers and merchants were satisfied and trade, industries and agriculture flourished in the 18th century. She encouraged all within her realm to do their best

Ahilyabai paid regular visits to her subjects and was always accessible to anyone needing her help.

She transformed Indore from a small village to a prosperous, beautiful and commercial city, though she established Maheshwar, a nearby town on the banks of Narmada river, as the seat of her dynasty.

Ahilyabai spread the message of Dharma and got built hundreds of temples, tanks, wells, ghats and dharmashalas (rest places) throughout India. She rebuilt and refurbished some of the most sacred temples including Kashi Vishwanath Temple that had been demoloshed by Mughal emperors.

If you see the list of structures built and rebuilt by her in Wikipedia, you will be surprised how she could do all these things apart from her welfare and safety measures. If the ruler is honest and well-meaning, there is no dearth of money, she proved during her regime.

She was an efficient ruler, courageous warrior and a tremendous archer,
highly respected during her lifetime, and even after her death, she is considered as a saint by people of Malwa region.

Her rule that lasted for 30 years is remembered as a golden age in the histoy Malwa Kingdom. She died on 17.08.1795 at the age of 70 and was succeeded by her nephew Tukojirao Holkar.

I have spent about 15 years of my crucial professional life in Indore, the cleanest city of India. As such I have a natural affinity for Indore and its people, culture and the most revered queen.