Just In
- 1 hr ago April Fool's Day 2024: Strange And Unusual Pranks That Were Pulled Off On 1st April
- 6 hrs ago Daily Horoscope, 29 March 2024: Gemini Businessmen Should Be Careful, Leo May Not Feel Well Today
- 10 hrs ago Aditi Rao Hydari's 8 Tips for Glowing Skin: A Celebrity Skincare Routine Unveiled, Bonus Tips Included!
- 11 hrs ago April 2024 Health Horoscope: Know How This Month Will Affect Zodiac Signs In Terms Of Wellness
Don't Miss
- Technology Apple iPhone 16 Massive Leaks Reveals an Impressive New Camera Module, Capture Button, and More
- Movies Is Arnold Schwarzenegger Ok? Fubar Season 2 Actor Calls Himself 'Machine' After Recent Heart Surgery
- Finance Good Friday 2024 Holiday: Are Banks Open On March 29 In India?
- News Congress Chief Mallikarjun Kharge Launches Counter Attack On PM Modi With These Four Questions
- Automobiles Tata Motors Teams Up with Hindustan Petroleum to Expand India's EV Charging Infrastructure
- Sports Sanju Samson's tactic leaves Ricky Ponting and Sourav Ganguly fuming during RR vs DC IPL 2024 Match 9
- Education RSMSSB Junior Instructor Recruitment 2024; Apply online for 2500 Posts, Check out for more details
- Travel Explore Tamil Nadu's Diverse Wedding Venues
Ahilya Bai Holkar Jayanti 2022: Facts About 'The Philosopher Queen' Of Malwa
Every year, 31 May marks the birth anniversary of Queen Ahilyabai Holkar and this year, it is her 297th birth anniversary. Her Jayanti is celebrated on a big scale in Madhya Pradesh and Maharastra. Ahalya Bai Holkar (1725-1795) was a legendary ruler of the Kingdom of Malwa and was respectfully called Rajmata Ahilyadevi. She was born in a remote village of Chondi in Maharastra. She belonged to the Dhangar community and her father Mankoji Shinde served as a Patil (the head) of the village.
Her administrative feats, humanitarian deeds, valiant disposition and bravery gave her a permanent place in the hearts of Indians. She was given the title of "The Philosopher Queen" by a British Historian John Keyas. Let us go through some unknown and interesting facts about her.
12 Interesting Facts About Ahilyabai Holkar
1. At an age when the children of her neighbourhood played with swings and toys, Ahilyabai Holkar was busy accumulating knowledge of the higher-order, learning the wisdom of life, and the nuances of great literary works. Her father was the key figure in her life, who laid a strong edifice for Ahilyas's transformation from an innocent girl into a celebrated personality.
2. Malhar Rao Holkar, the Malwa commander was the first one to spot a young Ahilya when she was barely 8 years of age, during an event where he found her donating alms in charity to the poor. Surprised pleasantly by the display of regal values by such a young girl, he decided that she would be an ideal wife for his son Khanderao Holkar in 1733.
3. In 1745, Ahilyabai's son Male Rao was born.
4. In 1748, she flouted the royal dictum by marrying a commoner to her daughter. Her son-in-law Yashwantrao, although poor, was a worthy and brave soul.
5. Due to a quirk of fate, she was widowed at the age of 29 In 1754. Her husband lost his life in the battle of Kumbher. Ahilya was supposed to immolate herself in the pyre of her dead husband but was stopped at the nick of time by her father-in-law.
6. Having lost her husband and son, she started her life as a regent of Indore on 11 December 1767, with a lot of emotional and administrative challenges upon her shoulders. This left her with no time for healing her emotional scars.
7. Ahilyabai was a legendary warrior and an archer of unimaginable prowess. Fighting on the back of an elephant was child's play for her. She had the unflinching support of the Bhils and Gonds, who were known for their bravery. Collaboration with these tribes helped her retain her territory for a long time.
8. She was a supremely efficient administrator who dispensed justice to her subjects in ways more than one. She interacted with her subjects personally by arranging gatherings to ensure that their needs are met. Several temples, ghats, wells, tanks, pilgrimage centres and rest-houses across the entire Indian nation today stand as silent witnesses of her philanthropy.
9. She helped widows in her kingdom live a life of dignity and honour by allowing them to retain their deceased husband's property.
10 The Holkar queen also renovated and rebuilt famous temples, including the temples of Kashi, Gaya, Somnath, Ayodhya, Mathura, Hardwar, Kanchi, Avanti, Dwarka, Badrinath, Rameshwar and Puri Jagannath, a record-breaking achievement, for any single woman that was forced to don multiple roles at a time, due to a quirk of fate.
11. Her capital at Maheshwar was a beehive of literary, music and industrial activities. Her court reverberated with literary discussions and musical performances. Marathi poets and literary stalwarts were patronised by her. During one of the poetic conferences, held in her court, she is believed to have thrown out a book of poems as it eulogised her achievements.
12. Her kingdom was home to several craftsmen, sculptors and artists who used to be paid handsomely for their hard work and enjoyed immense respect in the kingdom. The idea of establishing a textile industry was first contemplated by Ahilyabai who promoted novel ideas and concepts to uplift the economic and social status of her citizens.
A Poem on Rani Ahilyabai Holkar by Joanna Baillie in 1849
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
mothers
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
bright
her
fame,
And
Ahilya
was
her
honoured
name."
Disclaimer: The information is based on assumptions and information available on the internet and the accuracy or reliability is not guaranteed. Boldsky does not confirm any inputs or information related to the article and our only purpose is to deliver information. Kindly consult the concerned expert before practising or implementing any information and assumption
Image sources: Wikimedia Commons
- womenAhilyabai Holkar: Know The Story Of The Protagonist Of Punyashlok Ahilyabai
- womenLong Live The Queen: Queen Elizabeth II
- pulseWhat Happens After Queen Elizabeth II? Know About Secret Plans Leading To A State Funeral
- art cultureWe Will Rock You: Remembering The Unforgettable Freddie Mercury Of Queen
- bollywood wardrobeAirport Fashion: Kangana Ranaut Skips Saree And Pulls Off An All-Pink Contemporary Outfit And Makes Heads Turn
- bollywood wardrobeOn Kangana Ranaut’s Birthday, Her 3 Different Looks In Different Attires And Hairstyles From Her Film Thalaivi
- bollywood wardrobeKangana Ranaut Gives Mid-Week Party Fashion Goals In Her Classy Pink Dress Paired With Black Boots
- bollywood wardrobeKangana Ranaut Looks Pretty In Blue And Yellow Ethnic Suit, As She Visits Temple In Hometown Mandi
- bollywood wardrobeHappy Birthday Lisa Haydon: From Aisha To Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, Diva’s Stylish Movie Fashion Decoded
- womenRani Lakshmi Bai: Some Unknown Facts About The Valiant And Brave Queen Of Jhansi
- hair careRoyal Hairstyles From Across The Globe That Can Be A Part Of Your Everyday Look
- fashionThe Queen Celebrates Her 90th Birthday Today And Imparts Royal Fashion Wisdom