Rajmata Ahilyabai

(1725-1795)

“For thirty years her reign of peace,

The land in blessing did increase;

And she was blessed by every tongue,

By stern and gentle, old and young.

Yea, even the children at their mother’s feet

Are taught such homely rhyming to repeat

"In latter days from Brahma came,

To rule our land, a noble Dame,

Kind was her heart, and tight her frame,

And Ahalya was her honoured name”

In the glorious past of Indian women, Ahilyabai Holkar is remembered for her religious, pious, spiritual character and service to the people. She was a saint in the palace who ruled her country in best possible manner. She was even noted for her administrative skill and military organization. During her 30 year long reign, she accomplished lots of affection and respect from her people for her generosity, for her extraordinary amount of building at holy sites all over the country. This period is remembered in Malwa as a model of benevolence and effective government.

She was born in the village of Chaundi in Beed district on 31^st August, 1725. Her father, Mankaji Shinde was the Patil of Village. On those days, girls were not allowed to go in schools, but he sent her to the school for education. Once, Malhar Rao, a commander of Bajirao Peshwa and the lord of Malwa, was on his way to go Pune. He took halt in this village and saw one eight year old girl doing temple service. Being impressed her character; he took her with himself to Malwa for marrying her with his son Khandel Rao.

In spite of carrying all homely responsibilities, she also assisted her husband in administration. By her religious nature and service, she got immense affection and love from her in-laws. But time has taken different course and just after 9 years of her marriage, her husband Khandel Rao was killed in battle in 1754. Till then, she has one son and one daughter. She went for sati deliberately for keeping the honour of family tradition, but she was opposed by her father-in-law. He told her, after their son, only she could look after them and also their subject had great expectations from her. She left the idea of sacrificing her life. She was given all the administrative power to rule the country and people. She did all this with a feeling of doing service to her people. Twelve year later, her father-in-law, Malhar Rao died in 1766. Then her son, Maleram sat on the throne. His nature was different from her mother’s modesty and good nature. He also died soon. After her death, she took the power in her own hand. The main sardar of Malhar Rao, Gangadhar Yashwant, was not happy with this. He had his own opinion that Ahilyabai should adopt a boy in her own Kul and then should rule the country. But she opposed his plan claiming that she is the wife of a king as well as daughter in law of a king and so she had administrative skill as well experience to rule the country. So she will do the management of state by herself. Military has faith in her and in her command.

Jealous and unsatisfied Gangadhar Yashwant planned to capture the power by removing Ahilyabai with the help of Raghunath Rao, the military head of Peshwa. Showing courage and diplomatic skill, she got the assistance from Gaikawad and Bhonsle to fight with the Senapati of Peshwa. To see the courage and political cleverness of Rajmata, Peshwa went back leaving the message that he came there only to test that she was able to face the enemy or not. Showing her generosity, she forgave Gangadhar and reinstated at his position.

During her rule, Ahilyabai had done a lot of public works. Due to her better rule, her state progressed a lot and prosperity came to all. She got enough as revenue and lawful gains due increased production and economic activity. One of the remarkable works was the development of Indore from a small village into a prosperous and beautiful city. Her own capital was at Maheshwar, a town on the bank of Narmada River. She built forts and roads in Malwa. She built dozens of temples, ghats, wells, tanks and rest houses across an area stretching from the Himalayas to pilgrimage centres in south India. The Bharatiya Sanskriti Kosh lists as sites she embellished, Kashi, Gaya, Somnath, Ayodhya, Mathura, Hardwar, Kanchi, Avanti, Dwarka,Badrinarayan, Rameshwar and Jaganathpuri. Ahilyabai also rejoiced when she saw bankers, merchants, farmers and cultivators rise to levels of affluence but she did not claim that she had any legitimate claim to any of that wealth, be it through taxes or feudal right.

She took care of her subjects in all possible ways. She helped widows retain their husbands’ wealth. She made arrangements so that widows would be allowed to adopt a son. Once, her minister refused to allow a woman adopts a son on account of bribery, she herself financed to her for further rituals.

Literary, musical, artistic and industrial enterprises flourished in Ahilyabai’s capital at Maheshwar. She entertained the famous Marathi Poet, Moropant and the shahir, Ananthphandi from Maharashtra. She also patronized the Sanskrit scholar, Kushali Ram. Craftsmen, sculptors and artists received salaries and honour at her capital. She established a textile industry at her capital.

The only time, Ahilyadevi seems not to have been able to settle a conflict peacefully and easily was in the case of the Bhils and Gonds, "plunderers" on her borders; but she granted them waste hilly lands and the right to a small duty on goods passing through their territories. Even in this case, according to Malcolm, she did give "considerate attention to their habits".

Historian has described Ahilyabai Holkar as a saint and mentioned her as a magnificent woman, able ruler and a great queen. To honour remember her services and sacrifices, leading citizens of Indore instituted an award on her name in 1996 to be bestowed annually on an outstanding public figure. First award is given to Nanaji Deshmukh by the then Prime Minister.

One of her old retainers told Malcolm the facts of her daily life: She rose an hour before daybreak to say prayers. Then she had scriptures read to her, distributed alms and gave food to a number of Brahmins. Her breakfast, as indeed all her meals, was vegetarian. After breakfast, she prayed again, and then took a short rest. From two to six she was in her durbar; after religious exercises and a light meal, she again attended to business from nine to eleven. Her life was marked by prayer, abstinence and work, with religious fasts, festivals and public emergencies affording the only change in this routine. Her devotion was to Shiva, although she respected all religions. "Shri Shankara" appeared on all royal proclamations along with her signature.

In spite of all that is known about the warrior queen and all that she has left behind—timeless testimonies of her imagination and beneficence—she has not, in my opinion, been given the recognition that she rightfully deserves. Visitors to Varanasi know of the golden domed temple of Vishvanath, Lord of the World, in the heart of the city. Pilgrims headed for Pandharpur, a major sacred site in Maharashtra, go a little further along the same route to Mangalvadhe, to a place called Gopalpur, a large endowment for religious travellers. Both are part of Ahilyabai’s building and charitable legacy. It is said that she even repaired the road from Varanasi to Calcutta, as well as other routes to sites of pilgrimage.

"This great ruler in Indore encouraged all within her realm to do their best, Merchants produced their finest cloths, trade flourished, the farmers were at peace and oppression ceased, for each case that came to the queens notice was dealt with severely. She loved to see her people prosper, and to watch the fine cities grow, and to watch that her subjects were not afraid to display their wealth, lest the ruler should snatch it from them. Far and wide the roads were planted with shady trees, and wells were made, and rest-houses for travelers. The poor, the homeless, the orphaned were all helped according to their needs. The Bhils, who had long been the torment of all caravans, were routed from their mountain fastnesses and persuaded to settle down as honest farmers. Hindu and Mussalman alike revered the famous Queen and prayed for her long life. Her last great sorrow was when her daughter became a Sati upon the death of Yashwantrao Phanse. Ahalya Bai was seventy years old when her long and splendid life closed. Indore long mourned its noble Queen, happy had been her reign, and her memory is cherished with deep reverence unto this day

posted by Shanta Kumar @ 3:27 AM