She Won Battles With Wisdom, Ruled With Shivlinga In One Hand-- 10 Mind-Blowing Facts About Ahilyabai Holkar Ahead Of Her 300th Birth Anniversary

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Bhopal on May 31 to mark the 300th birth anniversary of Lokmata Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar. He will launch a ₹300 Memorial coin featuring the Ashok Stambh, the words Bharat” and India, and 300 engraved on it.

The grand event will take place at Jamboori Maidan, Bhopal and will mark the presence of over 2 lakh women.

Let’s Know Who Ahilya Bai Holkar Was: 10 Important Facts About Her.

1. She Got Married at Just 8 Years Old

At age 8, Ahilya met Malharrao Holkar during a military stopage near her village. He was impressed by her intelligence and grace. He chose her as the bride for his son Khanderao Holkar. She got married in 1733, Peshwa Bajirao 1 also attended their weeding ceremony.

This was the beginning of her royal life. After marriage, she moved into a powerful Maratha family. But it wasn’t easy as she had to learn everything from scratch. Her new journey came with both opportunity and challenge.

2. Duty over Death

After her husband died in the battle, Ahilya Bai decided to become sati. But her father-in-law stopped her, and asked her, “Who will take  care and responsibility of the kingdom?” At that time she chose duty over death .That one choice changed the future of an entire region. From widow to a ruler, she became a symbol of strength.

3. She Faced Great Loss but Never Gave Up

Ahilya Bai lost her husband, her father-in-law, and her only son. Yet she didn’t break under grief and she continued to rule. In 1767, she took full control of the Holkar kingdom. People questioned if a woman could lead. She answered with 30 years of peace and progress. Her strength came from struggle.

4- She Outsmarted a Conspiracy With Just One Letter

Raghoba Dada planned an attack to take her throne. Instead of panicking, Ahilya Bai formed a women’s army. She wrote a letter and said “If you lose, its shameful to lose to women.” The attack never happened and he backed off. Her courage needed no weapons just wisdom.

5. She Formed a Women’s Army to Defend Her Kingdom

When her rule was threatened, Ahilya Bai did not wait for help from others. She boldly formed a women’s army, to protect the state. These women were trained and prepared for war situations.Her message was clear that courage has no gender. Her leadership broke norms and empowered others.

6. She Built Temples Across India Using Her Own Wealth

Ahilya Bai funded the restoration of temples in Kedarnath, Somnath, and Rameshwaram. She used her own money and not public funds for all this. She also built ghats, wells, and dharamshalas across her kingdom. Her work was not just in local region it touched sacred sites all over India. She once said, “The construction work of Holkars should never stop in my lifetime.”

7. She Ruled With a Shivling in Her Hand

Every order Ahilya Bai gave was issued in the name of Lord Shiva.She sat on the throne with a Shivling in her hand. She believed, “I own nothing. I am responsible to god shiva ”Her rule was guided  by devotion. It is believed that she was a rare queen who combined power with prayer.

8. She Transformed Maheshwar into a Cultural Hub

Ahilya Bai made Maheshwar City her capital and shaped its future. She made industries there and invited weavers from all across India to settle there. This led to the birth of the famous Maheshwari sarees.

9. She Faced a Conspiracy from Within Her Own Court

Her Diwan tried to trick her into adopting a puppet ruler. But she saw understood his plan and rejected it. Later, he even conspired with outsiders to overthrow her. Yet she stayed one step ahead and defended her rule.

10. She Believed in Low Taxes and High Morality

Ahilya Bai believed taxes should not hurt the common people. She kept rates low but collected well due to public trust. She paid special attention to farmers, workers, and traders. Her governance was both fair and efficient. She ruled with a heart as well as a crown. That’s why her people saw her as divine.

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