Devi Ahilyabai Holkar’s name is always taken with a rare kind of reverence and also with titles like ‘Lokmata’, ‘Devi’, and ‘Punyashloka’ etc. All such titles were assigned to her by her subjects considering her benevolence, mother-like love for them, caring nature, her justice and equality to all castes and creeds, her efforts for economic and cultural development. Many of us know about her dedication to Hindu religion and the renovation of temples and pilgrim places and rebuilding all major ‘tirthsthanas’ and ‘jyotirlingas’ and all major demolished temples in Bharat by Islamic invaders. She tried to reignite the religious fervour and spirit of the people beyond the boundaries of her state.
Such a virtuous, goddess-like, compassionate and clever child was born in the year 1725 on the day of Jeth Sud Saptami (Shak Samvat 1647) in Chaundi village of Beed taluka of (Aurangabad district) Sambhaji Nagar of Maharashtra. Her father Mankoji Shinde was the Dhangar (Bharwad-shepherd) of this small village. From childhood, she had acquired skill in archery and horse riding along with ‘sanskara’ from her parents. Due to her extraordinary brilliance and agility, she stood out from all.
After the request of the wealthy Maratha king Madhavrao Peshwa to his friend subedar Malhar Rao Holkar, Ahalyabai’s marriage was immediately fixed with Malhar Rao’s son Khanderao. Malhar Rao – Gautamabai’s son Khanderao was a little spoiled child due to excessive pampering. His parents hoped that getting a wife like Ahilya would improve Khanderao and his career would flourish. Ahilyabai-Khanderao’s marriage took place in 1733. This marriage was celebrated with great pomp and show.
Ahilyabai was very self-reliant and proud of her family. The influence of her personality was such that even Khanderao was afraid of her, but his vanity did not go away. Ahilyabai and Khanderao had two children, Malerao (1745-1767) and Muktabai (1748). Like her husband, Ahilyabai’s expectations of a happy son did not come true. She did not get happiness from her son, but his troubles always kept Ahilyabai and her family constantly worried. Ahilyabai, saddened by the behavior of her husband and son, devoted herself to serving her in-laws. She considered religion as her support. Her father-in-law Malhar Rao and mother-in-law Gautamabai played a very important role in shaping Ahilyabai’s personality. Ahilyabai’s innate intelligence and the cultural teachings of her parents also played a significant role. Ahilyabai always preferred to introduce herself as the daughter-in-law of Subedar Malhar Rao Holkar, and not as the wife of Khanderao.
While the battle was going on at the Kumbheri fort, Khanderao was killed. Malhar Rao was deeply distressed by the untimely death of his only son, Khanderao. He stopped Ahilyabai from committing Sati. After his son’s death, he considered Ahilyabai his own son and started teaching her the lessons of politics. Ahilyabai gained a place as an important person in the Holkar dynasty even during Malhar Rao’s lifetime. She imbibed the lessons of diplomacy and warfare received from her father-in-law. With her work, she made Holkar’s name famous in the history of the Maratha dynasty. Ahilyabai’s name has also been written with golden letters in the history of India.
After four years, in 1766, Malhar Rao also left this world. A shining star of the Maratha Empire fell. Malhar Rao, who was the only strong supporter of Ahilyabai, also attained the blow of time. Just as the earth trembles when a huge banyan tree falls, Ahilyabai also trembled with the death of Malhar Rao. The entire responsibility of the Holkar dynasty now fell on her soldiers. She had to rescue this wealthy state of the Maratha Empire from all adverse situations. She made this his life’s only goal. Malhar Rao’s close relations with the Peshwa were also strongly maintained by Ahilyabai. The Peshwa expressed grief over Malhar Rao’s death and assured all kinds of support to her.
Amidst the dry desert like life, there was not a single mirage for Ahilyabai to have some hope of momentary relief. She had to meet many challenges on personal as well as on the political front. Ignoring all her anguishes and sorrows, she preferred to live for the welfare of the people of Holkar Samrajya. Her time was tough. Anyone can understand how boldly she would have taken many revolutionary decisions under her rule, where women were left to die with her husband. It was the empathetic heart of Ahilyadevi that she saved women from suffering. In the society, she lived, there was a law that the property of the husband was confiscated by the state after his death. Ahilyabai repealed this law and ensured rights of property to the widow so that she can run her household and bring up her children. She also provided rights to widows to decide about the adoption of a child of her choice.
Her son, Malerao too died at a very young age. Although, he was like his father and had not inherited any virtues from his mother or grandfather. It was a great shock for Ahilyadevi. She was mourning for her son and in her critical times, Diwan of Holkar state, Gangadhar Yashvant Chandrachud made a plan to seize the property of Holkars with the help of Raghunath Rao Peshva. But as soon as Ahilyabai received the news from her spy named Shivaji Gopal, her fertile mind found ways to oppose the enemy and win the battle without facing it. She wrote letters to all neighbouring states demanding their help in her critical times. She could gather an army of more than seventy-five thousand soldiers in no time. Then she wrote to Peshva about her plight and lastly, she wrote to Raghunath Rao warning him that if he attacked Indore, her army was ready to oppose the army and they would all be drowned in Kshipra River. Suppose he won, nobody would give him credit for defeating a widow and if he was defeated by her, he would not be able to show his face to anyone further.
Later after receiving the letter from Ahilyabai, Raghunath Rao was baffled. He asked for the advice from Gangadhar Yashvant, the shrewd Diwan of Holkars, the enemy within. He found an easy way to escape from the embroglio he had created. He suggested to Raghunath Rao to tell her that they are coming to Indore to pay homage to her for the loss of her only son.
The news that Dadasaheb had sent all the army to the south and that he himself was coming to express his condolences spread like the wind. Ahilyabai was blessed. God heard her prayers. She immediately reached Ganpati in her palace temple. Ahilyabai, in front of God, stood firm in times of adversity and overcame all the difficulties with her intellect. The veil of darkness was removed from the Holkars’ property. It was not that Ahilyabai wanted to avoid war as she was afraid of defeat or she was not capable of fighting. She was always of the opinion that Hindu Rulers should not fight among themselves as there were enemies from outside and they took advantage of internal fights. John Malcom, the British historians have appreciated Ahilyabai and her diplomatic moves, her concern for her subjects, her farsightedness and her decisiveness in times of crisis. In his work, A Memoir of Central India, Malcolm praised her internal administration and her character as a ruler, acknowledging her as a “pious” and “pure” sovereign. In Malcolm’s assessment, she had admirable capability to maintain highly effective and well-managed Internal Administration:
He famously remarked and compared her with Alexander and said that “Alexander did not win as many countries as the female Tamerlane,” implying that Ahilyabai’s contributions were as significant, if not more so, than Alexander’s. She has been described by Sir John Malcolm in these words, “The success of Ahilya Bai in the internal administration of her domain was altogether wonderful. She certainly appears, within her limited sphere, to have been one of the purest and most exemplary rulers that ever existed”.
Extra-Ordinary Contribution of Ahilyabai for the Revival of Culture
Ahilyabai rebuilt Kashi Vishvanath temple after 118 years of its destruction by Aurangzeb in 1609. She also built numerous temples important for Hindus. The list is unending. She never mentioned her name in her works. She developed Maheshwar not only as a business hub, but also as a center of learning and cultural activities. She built “Brahmpuri” – a rest house for Brahmins in Kashi. She built roads from Kolkata to Kashi. She rebuilt the wrecked Jyotirlingas like Somnath, Mallikarjun, Omkareshwar, Vaijnath, Kashi Vishvanath, Traymabakeshwar, Ghrushneswar, Badrikedar, Mahakaleshwar, Rameshwar, Bhimashankar. She also developed infrastructure and like wells, Ghaat, Kunds, annakshetras, and dharmashalas to facilitate the pilgrims as well as the scholars in all seven cities, Saptapuries- Mathura, Kashi, Ujjain, Kanchi, Haridvar, Dwarika and Ayodhya. She also developed and donated to Chardham so that all religious activities may continue even after her. She regularly donated on the days of eclipses. It is said that her donations were never ending. From her private property, she provided loans to the needy persons and the income she again used after the welfare activities. Her welfare work was not limited to the boundaries of Holkar state. She aimed to revive the whole country and wished to sustain the spirit of the people of the nation amongst the torments of the invaders and assaults on the religion which was the backbone of Indian culture.
Magnanimity of Her Vision
Once a famous poet, Moropant, visited Maheshvar and stayed at his friend’s place. He asked Visaji Pant about Ahilyadevi’s vision behind her expenses on construction works and donations to temples. Pant very legitimately told him about the purpose behind all her welfare activities:
- She had built wells as she had seen the worst condition of soldiers without water while returning from wars.
- She had seen massacres by Mughals like Najib Khan and others and hence, she built public rest houses where people can take shelter and hide themselves.
- The demolished temples were rebuilt to show the Muslim rulers that they could not shatter their religious spirit. She wished to protect the pride and dignity of Dharma.
- All donations and expenses were deducted from her personal funds.
- When Moro Pant asked about the logic behind erecting the Kashi Vishvanath temple just in front of the mosque, her answer was to remind people of the destruction by the invaders. If she had built the temple somewhere else, our innocent people might have forgotten the wounds the earlier people had suffered.
M.V. Kibe writes in his The Cultural Indian Empire of the Saintly Queen Ahilyabai Holkar: “What Shivaji the great has done as a token, Devi shri Ahilyabai spread all over the country.” She developed infrastructural facilities, roads and provided safety and securities to the businessmen and pilgrims and travelers. Hence, she was successful in developing Maheshwar as a business as well as a cultural center of central India. She invited and patronized Mahjans (jewelers), artisans, architects, poets, scholars and craftsmen from all over India as a result Maheshwar flourished culturally and economically.
Military Competence & insight into economic matters
Ahilyabai knew that her Army Chief, Senapati Tukoji, violated the limits and made many kinds of mess in the financial affairs. He nominated Naro Ganesh under him without seeking permission from Ahilyadevi. Ahilyabai would not tolerate it. At the same time, keeping in mind the interests of the state, she always took care that mutual differences did not come to light. Being the head of the army, Ahilyabai demanded details of all the expenses of the army from Tukojirao. Ahilyabai was always very clear about financial transactions, expenses and accounts. Ahilyabai expected Tukoji to follow Malhar Rao’s policy that the expenses of the army could not be based only on the government treasury. Earlier when Malhar Rao won battles, all he won was deposited in the State treasury. Ahilyabai never advocated filling the government treasury by imposing many taxes on the people, breaking their backs. She never failed to send money to Tukojirao for the army expenses as per requirement. Moreover, Ahilyabai did not pay a single paisa without getting an account of every penny. Such standards of Ahilyabai proved to be a very difficult test for Tukojirao and other careless persons.
Tukojirao often felt that he had lost Ahilyabai’s trust, which is why Ahilyabai demanded an account from him. In fact, Ahilyabai had no such prejudices in her mind and it was not in Ahilyabai’s large-hearted nature to take any action regarding personal prejudices. If accounts were not received from all the officers or chiefs of the state, how could the one in charge of the state manage the state’s finances? Ahilyabai always insisted on doing the maximum work in the shortest time and that too at the minimum cost. She was also insistent on discipline. However, it is equally undeniable that she never adopted the standard of changing the officers. Ahilyabai knew very well how to get more work out of an officer who was lazy, less efficient or less sincere. When Tukojirao asked Ahilyabai to pay for the war against Tipu Sultan in the south, she did not approve it and even forbade him to take the same from other chiefs.
Once, when Tukojirao had dismissed some old and trusted servants from their jobs. On this matter too, Ahilyabai had differences with him, but with Ahilyabai’s positive attitude, she never thought to get rid of Tukoji from his office. Instead of scolding, she persuaded him and Tukoji gradually became wiser. He understood the truth. He realized his mistake and the misunderstandings towards Ahilyabai were removed. Later, he started working as per Ahilyabai’s expectations and supported Ahilyabai in all important military tasks of the state. There were some special features of this Military acumen which should be noted:
(1) They fixed the number and pay of the army to be organized.
(2) The government provided the ammunition and other necessary weapons and equipment and other things from the state’s own money.
(3) If the uniform, weapons or other equipment were damaged, they were replaced only after a thorough inspection.
(4) Colonel Lloyd was fixed a salary of Rs. 2000.
(5) It was decided that one battalion (detachment) of the army would remain in the hands of a single Sardar.
(6) Anyone who wanted to be recruited in the camp had to come to Maheshwar first. There, he was given a complete physical examination and only then was he given a place in the camp squad.
(7) The number of cannons, bullock carts, ammunition and workers required for all the arrangements, as well as their wages, were also fixed.
Ahilyabai hired an Englishman named Colonel Lloyd to train her army. Some people wonder why Ahilyabai hired an Englishman to train her army. So, Ahilyabai’s unmatched intelligence was the reason behind doing so. The purpose behind hiring a Westerner was that (1) that Englishman would stop claiming the jagir, i.e., someone else’s jagir would stop going into the hands of a foreigner. (2) Since this Englishman from the West was bound to the job here, he could not fight with any king or chieftain who was ultimately her own kinsman. (3) Being in the job, he would remain under his control. Thus, even in hiring Colonel Lloyd, an important mark of Ahilyabai’s political acumen and foresight becomes significantly visible in the history of the Marathas.
Ahilyabai’s Foreign Policy & Foresightedness
Even before Ahilyabai’s rule, the British had set foot in India on the pretext of doing business. They had also come into competition for power. Ahilyabai was constantly worried that the kings of India and the innocent people would be fooled by the anti-national British and would come under their control. Ahilyabai also suggested taking the help of the French and Portuguese to fight against the British and to prevent the British from increasing their influence. Mahadji Shinde and the Rana of Gond united to fight against the British, but later when they changed their minds, Ahilyabai wrote a letter to Mahadji Shinde: ”Keep up the work by maintaining proper relations with Ranaji. The British have set foot in Vasai and it is our duty to know what is the situation of the wealthy Peshwa. We ourselves have to call for unity against the British. It is urgently needed.”
When the Maratha chieftains were fighting among themselves and proving themselves weak against the British, Ahilyabai’s heart would come out in this pathetic way. She always said that we should not be interested in shedding the blood of our own brothers. She believed that all the Maratha and Rajput chieftains should abandon personal enmity and fight against the British as one. She constantly strived for this. Ahilyabai knew very well that only organized power could bring success in such circumstances. Therefore, Ahilyabai worked to inspire all Hindu rulers to organize. Organization alone increases strength and in Kali Yuga, it is especially necessary to be organized. In the eighteenth century, for the sake of the country’s interest, as a ruler, she tried to bind other rulers with a single thread of organization. Ahilyabai has never left Indore and Maheshwar but she had the knowledge of Geography and political situation prevalent at that time. She knew about the political intricacies and shrewdness of the British.
Ahilyabai had requested Mahadji Shinde to go to Poona and make a plan for self-defense against the British. When Mahadji Shinde came to Maheshwar in 1781, he expressed his sorrow that Vasai had come under the control of the British. Ahilyabai knew the geographical and strategic importance of Vasai. Since the Marathas could not unite to confront the British, she also instructed Mahadji Shinde to go south and directly attack the British. While Mahadji was in the south, Ahilyabai herself had also shown her readiness to take over all the responsibilities in the north along with Tukoj. Ahilyabai, due to her foresight, knew fully well how deadly the arrival of the British throughout India and their increasing presence was for the Indian nation. That is why, even by running around, taking the help of Mahadji Shinde, she wanted to save India from the deadly clutches of the British by any means. She constantly received reports of every movement of the British from her trusted officers. An example of this is found in the letter of Bharmaldada Holkar.
Even at the early stage of her life, she had single handedly won the fort of Gohad when Malhar Rao was alive. She also subdued the revolt of Chandravat Jats which was a great headache for Holkars for decades. The Jats of Rajasthan looted the traders while on their way to Maheshwar and also looted the crops of farmers. It was a long pending issue. When she defeated Chandradatt’s, Nana Saheb Fadnavis fired cannons and saluted her showing reverence to her.
Women Empowerment & Concern for Women
Ahilyadevi after the death of Malerao, shifted her capital to Maheshwar. She immersed herself in developmental activities and tried to forget her sorrows. She wanted to uplift the lives of poor women and their families. She called some males from her familiar background and explained and convinced them about bringing women outside of their four walls. Women can also contribute to the economy of the state. Men believed in what she said and allowed their women to leave the threshold of their homes. It was a revolutionary act by Ahilyabai. She not only educated them but also trained them and provided them with weaving skills. Women started producing Saris and Maheshwari Saris are famous even today. We can say that it was Ahilyabai’s First attempt to start Make in India and that also using skills of women.
She also formed some rules and regulations for working women like, the employer can not compel women to work after sunset. Women should be provided a safe and secure working environment etc. She not only encouraged women to develop their skills and earn but she also had faith in their warrior skills. So she employed one British officer to train her army and prepared a women battalion.
Employment Generation, Environmental Awareness
Ahilyabai was very much aware about the need for preservation of the environment and water conservation. She built many wells and ponds and reservoirs. She also generated employment for youth. Her purpose was to maintain the ecological balance, preserve biodiversity as well as provide employment by deploying young men for such tasks. She deployed staff for spreading flour at the roots of trees, for watering plants, for providing water to the travelers in summer, for feeding fish and birds. She also purchased land and kept them open for feeding the cattle.
Bhil Kavadi
She also knew about the troubles created by Bhils in the forest areas. After the development of Maheshwar, many traders travelled from various areas to Maheshwar. If they were coming from other states, they had to cross the forests, which were looted by the Bhils. Ahilyabai knew how to kill two birds with one stone. She conversed with Bhills and came to know about their plight. They were looting travelers as they had no source of income. She established chokies (booths) for them and allowed them to collect tax -Bhil Kavadi- from traders and travelers, in return they had been assigned responsibility of their safety and security from wild beasts and theft.
Social Reforms
Ahilyabai had been a revolutionary queen, she never gave importance to the Purdah system, prevalent in those times, because of Mughal invaders and their ill treatment of women. She made women of her state step forward and work for the nation.
She also invited all caste individuals to her palace for having lunch with her. It was a routine that she would take her meal along with 300 persons including her staff and people from all strata of life. She set an example of equality to all and one could find no discrimination under her rule. All were allowed to meet her and she was always keen to listen to their issues and kindly provide justice to them. She always worshiped virtues and never gave importance to particular caste and creed. The living example was her choice of her son in law. She once announced that a person who will provide a solution to the Bhil issue, she will get her daughter married to that person irrespective of his caste and creed. It was Yashvant Rao, a person from a very humble background, who took the challenge and subdued Bhils and helped Ahilyabai who had trust in his virtues. When criticized for her decision, she told them that bravery and fortitude were his caste and family background. To be true to her words, Ahilyabai got her daughter married to Yashvant Rao. It was a very revolutionary act as she not only performed an Inter-caste Marriage but also performed the ritual of Kanyadan although she was a widow. Ahilyabai, thus bravely set examples and paved the path for widow women who were confined with the shackles of social customs. Now they could breathe open air and came out of the shells.
Correspondence and Communication
300 years ago, there were few speedy means of transport. Horses, camels and men were used for speedy work. In the time of Ahilyabai, two different types of postal systems existed, namely government and private postal systems. Ahilyabai needed to correspond frequently with her neighboring states, the Peshwa and Tukoji. To prevent the letter from falling into the hands of the enemy, a statement was made and signed in front of a certain person, it was a kind of receipt only. Thus, the system of what we call ‘Registry Post’ was also existent in the times of Ahilyabai.
In the year 1763-64, a letter was sent to Bapuji Mahadev from Poona; it was decided that the letter should reach Delhi from Poona in 16 days. If the letter reached on time on the sixteenth day, then he would be paid 50 rupees. If it reached on the seventeenth day, then 40 rupees and if it reached on the eighteenth day, then 30 rupees and in case, it reached on the nineteenth day, then nothing was to be paid. To reach a letter from Poona to Delhi, a distance of 700 miles, in 16 days, 45 miles had to be covered in one day. The mail was sent in bags properly packed and protected from water. The messenger had to reach in stipulated time. Ahilyabai knew the value of time in political affairs.
In 1783, Ahilyabai entrusted the management of the post to a private institution called Padamashi Nancy. If the postmen had to go through the forest at night, they were afraid of wild animals, they were given torches and necessary weapons. Boats were available on the river immediately. These postmen were provided with horses, clothes and a stick tied with incense and a bell from the state. The purpose of providing the stick tied with incense was to inform people that the postman was passing so that his path would be cleared without any obstacle and he could go faster. The bell functioned like a siren. Another purpose was for the postman, who was constantly traveling, could be entertained by the sweet sound of the bell on the stick and could also feel some relief from his fatigue and labor. What a wonderful arrangement!
Kotilingarchan Puja – Involvement and Inclusion of All in Religious Events
In the month of Shravan, Ahilyadevi organized Kotilingarchan Puja, which was aimed at the worship of one crore Shivlingas. The Puja was meant to pray for the welfare and betterment of all Bharatiyas at the bank of Narmanda river. The hidden motive behind this pooja was the involvement of everyone from the state. During such a large gathering everyone would get an opportunity to earn something. Through religious gatherings and festivals, the economy was boosted. The farsighted vision of Ahilyadevi was truly marvelous.
Revival Through Scriptures
During almost seven centuries, Hindus had to live a very insecure life because of invasions. They had lost their scriptures in riots and rampage. Ahilyabai knew this and so she prepared scriptures with the help of scribes. Thousands of copies were written and distributed to the people so that they can read and recite them. Various ways were adopted by Ahilyabai for spiritual revival in the country. Although she was a queen, she had never told poets and bards to write “prashasti” or eulogizing poems on her. On the contrary she discouraged poets from writing such appreciation for her. Once, a poet wrote a poem, glorifying her reign. She stopped him and sent her men to immerse the book in the river Narmada.
A respected and influential figure in Indian history, she epitomized the virtues of flexibility, dedication and responsibility during her thirty-year reign. After the untimely death of her husband and father-in-law, she shouldered the entire burden of governance on her shoulders with unwavering courage and determination. Her rule was not just about maintaining order, it was about nurturing a society where happiness and prosperity flourished. Ahilyadevi’s commitment to social harmony was exemplary. She welcomed all religions with an open heart, and under her patronage, an environment was created for religious and charitable institutions, at a time when religious discord was prevalent, her inclusiveness was a testament to her tolerance.
Although her outlook was far from political maneuvering or deceit, she had already foreseen the growing threat of infiltration by the British and therefore supported the unity of the Hindu rulers. The revival of the temples destroyed by the Mughals was not just an act of religious awakening; it was a symbolic statement of resistance against the colonial powers and national identity. This is why she focused her efforts on the spiritual upliftment of India. From Rameshwar to Char-Dham and from Kashi to Dwarka, she took up the task of restoring the temples destroyed by the Mughals as a campaign.
The special feature of Ahilyadevi’s personality was that she adopted an extraordinary attitude in completing ordinary tasks. Be it administration, army or justice system. She was always available to the people. The mere thought of having a meal with people of all castes and all economic classes made everyone feel equal. Anyone could discuss their problems with him conveniently. Not only did the people of his region trust his justice, but the rulers of the surrounding states also asked him to solve their problems. The best qualities of all the great men India has seen and known were combined in Ahilyadevi. She too had the dream of one India and organized Indians like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Shri Shankaracharya, the best administration and justice system of Acharya Chanakya, the divinity of Samarth Ramdas Swami and Swami Vivekanand. Devi Ahilyabai Holkar is very much relevant not only to rulers but even to common men and women in modern times. The article will highlight how her legacy continues to inspire the youth in their lives to become ideal individuals, administrators and efficient in all fields of life.
Legacy Behind Her
Ahilyadevi’s rule and contributions to society are admired even today. On August 25, 1996, a commemorative stamp was issued in her honour by the Indian government. In 1988, Indore University was renamed Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya, and the Indore domestic airport was also named Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport. Two universities, the Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya in Indore and the Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar University in Solapur have been named after her.
In a nutshell, Ahilyabai’s rule was an example of ideal administration with political will to work for social harmony, justice and well being of the subjects. She exhibited extraordinary resilience, compassion and insights into the spiritual and cultural fabric of the Nation. Her dignified actions will inspire generations to come in future too.
References
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