AHILYABAI HOLKAR

1. Context 

2. How did Ahmednagar get its name?

• Located in the Western region of Maharashtra, Ahmednagar has been a part of some prominent kingdoms, starting from 240 BC, "When the vicinity is mentioned about the Mauryan Emperor Ashok.
• In the Medieval period, the region was ruled by the Rashtrakuta Dynasty, the Western Chalukyas and then the Delhi Sultanate.
• In the last case, the rule was not direct and a revolt by Afghan soldier Alladin Hasan Gangu led to the establishment of the Bahmani Kingdom in the Deccan.
• In the following years, Ahmednagar, then known as Nizamshahi, became one of the five independent kingdoms to emerge from that empire.
• In 1486, Malik Ahmad Nizam Shah assumed the Bahmani Sultanate's prime minister position.
• He successfully defeated the king of the Bahmani kingdom, who tried to dislodge him for power, in 1490.
• Four years later, he laid the foundation of a city close to where he had defeated the army, on the left bank of Sina River. This city was named after him: Ahmednagar.
• Nizam Shah also later captured the fort of Daulatabad and stationed his army there.
• By his kindness, peaceful demeanour and efficiency, he could win the loyalty of the local and foreign Muslims and also of the Maratha peasants and worriers.
• Since his origin was Hindu, he found no difficulty in winning over the confidence of Brahmins, who were highly regarded by the Hindus.
• Jawaharlal Nehru, in his book A Discovery of India (1946), wrote of him, "Ahmad Nizam Shah, the founder of Ahmadnagar in 1490, was the son of Nizam-ul-Mulk Bhairi, a minister of the Bahmani kings.
• This Nizam-ul-Mulk was the son of a Brahmin accountant named Bhairu. Thus the Ahmednagar dynasty was of indigenous origin.

Image source: News on air

3. About Ahilyabai Holkar

• Ahilyabai was born in Chondi village of Ahmednagar to the village head Mankoji Shinde, who ensured that his daughter received an education, which was quite rare at that time.
• Malhar Rao Holkar, the army commander to Peshwa Bajirao, is believed to have spotted eight-year-old Ahilyabai at a temple service in Chondi.
• Impressed by her devotion and character, he decided to get his son, Khande Rao, married to her.
• After her husband died in the Battle of Kumbher against the king of Bharatpur in 1754, Ahilyabai took control of Malwa.
• She excelled at administrative and military strategies under the guidance of her father-in-law, who believed she should lead her people and not die by Sati after Khande Rao passed away.
• After the death of her father-in-law and son a few years later, she petitioned the Peshwa to become the ruler, backed by the support of her army.

4. Role in administration and temple-building

• In his book, Nehru said Holkar's rule, which lasted for thirty years (1765-1795) was almost legendary as a period during which perfect order and good government prevailed and the people prospered.
• She was a very able ruler and organizer, highly respected during her lifetime.
• Notably, her role in restoring Hindu temples is often discussed.
• When Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Samudra Darshan Path and the Somnath Exhibition Gallery they showcase the ruins of ancient Somnath, the temple built by Holkar in 1783.