All about Rani Ahilyabai Holkar
Rani Ahilyabai Holkar was the ruler of the Maratha Malwa kingdom in India. She is widely regarded as one of the greatest women rulers in Indian history, and a patron of Hindu culture, art, and architecture. She is especially known for her role in rebuilding and restoring Hindu temples across India that had been damaged or demolished by the Mughal invaders.
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Her childhood
Ahilyabai was born in a village called Chondi in Maharashtra, where her father was the village chief. She was married to Khande Rao Holkar, the son of Malhar Rao Holkar, a powerful general of the Maratha Peshwa Baji Rao I. She accompanied her husband and father-in-law on many military campaigns, and learned the art of administration and diplomacy from them.
In 1754, her husband died in a battle, and in 1766, her father-in-law also passed away. Ahilyabai then became the regent of the Malwa kingdom, as her son Malerao was too young and mentally unfit to rule. She appointed Tukoji Rao Holkar, her husband’s cousin, as the commander-in-chief of her army, and took charge of the civil and religious affairs of her state.
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Follower of Lord Shiva
Ahilyabai was a devout Hindu, and a follower of Lord Shiva. She believed that it was her duty to protect and promote the Hindu dharma, and to serve the people as a mother. She was deeply pained by the destruction of Hindu temples by the Mughals, especially by Aurangzeb, who had ordered the demolition of the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi, one of the most sacred shrines of Hinduism.
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Rebuild the Kashi Vishwanath temple
Ahilyabai decided to rebuild the Kashi Vishwanath temple, and in 1780, she sent a letter to the Nawab of Awadh, who controlled Varanasi, requesting his permission and cooperation. The Nawab agreed, and Ahilyabai sent her emissaries, carpenters, masons, and sculptors to Varanasi, along with money, materials, and a model of the temple. The temple was completed in 1785, and Ahilyabai herself performed the consecration ceremony.
The Kashi Vishwanath temple was not the only temple that Ahilyabai rebuilt or restored. She also renovated or constructed temples in Somnath, Dwarka, Rameshwaram, Gaya, Mathura, Ayodhya, Haridwar, Kedarnath, Badrinath, Rishikesh, Prayag, Ujjain, Omkareshwar, Nashik, Pandharpur, Parli Vaijnath, Kurukshetra, Pashupatinath, Srisailam, Udupi, Gokarna, and Kathmandu. She also built ghats, wells, tanks, gardens, dharmashalas, and schools in these places, and provided funds for their maintenance and rituals.
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Contribution in revival of Hindu culture and heritage
Ahilyabai’s contribution to the preservation and revival of Hindu culture and heritage is immense and unparalleled. She was a benevolent and just ruler, who cared for the welfare of her subjects, irrespective of their caste, creed, or religion. She was respected and admired by her contemporaries, including the Peshwa, the Nizam, the Rajputs, the Sikhs, and the British. She was also praised by many historians, poets, and scholars, who called her “the Philosopher Queen”, “the Queen of the Dharma”, and “the Mother of the Nation”.
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Final words
Ahilyabai died in 1795, at the age of 70, after ruling for 29 years. She was succeeded by her daughter’s son, Yashwantrao Holkar, who continued her legacy. Today, Ahilyabai is remembered as one of the most inspiring and influential figures in Indian history, and a symbol of women’s empowerment, courage, and devotion.
Image: Wikipedia