Ahilyabai Holkar – The Brave Indian Queen
Ahilyabai Holkar, a common girl who became one of the greatest queens of India. She was born in a small village in Maharashtra Ahilya was just like any other girl of her time. Her education was the only thing that made her different.
Around 300 years ago, when people thought that there was no point in teaching a girl, Ahilya’s father wanted her to be no less than a boy. So he, himself, taught her to read and write. Ahiliya’s education not only made her smarter but also empathetic.
One day when she was feeding the poor in the temple, the Lord Malwa, Malhar Rao Holkar saw her and was so impressed by her compassion that he asked for her hand in marriage for his son. This 8 year old ordinary girl became a princess overnight.
Her life transformed from when she became a widow at the age of 29. Her father-in-law Malhar Rao refused when she was ready to commit Sati, to let it happen.
He had been her strength and pillar of support at the time. But a young Ahilyabai could see her kingdom fall like a pack of cards after 12 years after her father-in-law died. This was not just a hard time for Ahilyabhai but for the whole kingdom. Invaders were constantly attacking Malwa.
This resulted in the grandson and Ahilyabai’s only son Male Rao Holkar ascending the throne under her regency after the old ruler’s death.
The last sorrow came on 5 April 1767 when a few months into his rule the young monarch Male Rao too died. This made a vacuum in the structure of power in the kingdom. Everybody can think of how a woman, royalty or not, would suffer after losing her husband, father-in-law and only son. But Ahilyabai stood unwavering. The grief of her loss will not affect the administration of the kingdom and the lives of her people she thought.
For Ahilyabai her people mattered more than herself. She gathered all the strength she had decided to take over the throne. In just one year of her rule she saved her people from invaders, fought battles, and cleared Indore of bandits and dacoits.
She was armed with swords and weapons, she led armies into the battlefield. And became the queen. From an ordinary girl she started to slay her enemies and invaders on battlefronts with bows and arrows fitted to the corners of the howdah of her favourite elephant.
Her guide regarding the military matters was Subhedar Tukojirao Holkar (also Malhar Rao’s adopted son) whom she appointed the head of the military.
Apart from being a brave queen and proficient ruler the Queen of Malwa, was also an educated politician. She noticed the bigger picture when the Maratha Peshwa couldn’t pin down the agenda of the British.
In 1772, she sent a letter to the Peshwa, which warned him, calling the British embrace a bear-hug: “Other beasts, like tigers, can be killed by might or contrivance, but to kill a bear it is very difficult. It will die only if you kill it straight in the face, Or else, once caught in its powerful hold; the bear will kill its prey by tickling. Such is the way of the English. And given this, it is difficult to triumph over them.
She also mentioned that, “If I lose, no one will take any notice. But if you lose then you will be remembered as someone who lost at the hands of a woman”
Peshwa could not face this possibility and he changed his tactics. He sent her a message that mentioned he never intended to attack her kingdom but wanted to offer his condolences for the death of her son. This was how she won her first battle before it even began.
Ahilyabai was a ruler who cared for her people and actually listened to them. She conducted daily public hearings, constructed temples, forts, Ghats etc… and turned Indore into an immensely prosperous city in just 30 years of rule.
Everything she did for her people be it cultural developments or infrastructural. She did it from her own funds and never used the public’s money.
When she died she was 70 and was succeeded by Tukoji Rao Holkar I, commander-in-chief.
Ahilyabai was a successful leader. Surely like Ahilyabai every girl has the capability to become a great leader. All she needs is equal opportunities and unbiased support.
Centuries have been crumbled away but the glorious life of fearless Ahilyabai Holkar shines bright to this day. Ahilyabai’s life and command over the kingdom was long and legendary. Her reign is remembered fondly. From diplomatic methods towards strengthening the phase of adversities. The nation and organisations like RSS are planning to celebrate her 300 birth anniversary of Ahilyabai Holker on 2025
