HOLKAR

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Context

• Today, we celebrate the 300th birth anniversary of the Maratha queen Ahilya Bai Holkar — a great administrator and visionary with a spiritual inclination.

Ahilyabai Holkar

• Ahilyabai Holkar (31 May 1725 – 13 August 1795 was the Rani of Indore, within the Maratha Confederacy.
• She established Maheshwar (in Madhya Pradesh) as the seat of the Holkar Dynasty.
• After the demise of her husband Khande Rao Holkar and father-in-law Malhar Rao Holkar, Ahilyabai herself undertook the affairs of the Holkar dynasty.
• She defended the Malwa state against intruders and personally led armies into battle, with the Tukoji Rao Holkar as her military commander.
• She was also known for the construction of various Hindu temples and Dharmashalas across the Indian Subcontinent.
• She was also known for breaking traditional gender rules 18th Century in India.

Holkars

• The Holkars were a family that was part of the Maratha Empire, which held the rank of subahdar under Peshwa Baji Rao I.
• When the Maratha Empire began to weaken due to internal clashes, the Holkars declared themselves the rulers of Indore in Central India, existing as an autonomous member of the Maratha Empire until 1818.
• Later, their kingdom became a princely state under the protectorate of British India.

PRACTICE QUESTION Q. Which of the following statements about Ahilyabai Holkar is/are true? 1.She was the Rani of Indore within the Maratha Confederacy. 2.She established Maheshwar as the seat of the Holkar Dynasty. 3.After the deaths of her husband and father-in-law, she took charge of the affairs of the Holkar dynasty. Select the correct answer using the codes below: a) 1 and 2 only b) 1 and 3 only c) 2 and 3 only d) 1, 2, and 3 Correct Answer: d) 1, 2, and 3

SOURCE: THE HINDU