Silenced Royalty: Restoring the Voice of India's Forgotten Queen

 FORGOTTEN QUEENS OF BHARATH-1

India, a land steeped in history and tradition, stands as a testament to the remarkable strength and valor of its queens who were also fierce warriors. Throughout its rich tapestry of dynasties, India witnessed the rise of extraordinary female rulers who shattered societal norms and led their armies into battle with unwavering determination. In these series of blogs let’s remember the glory of our queens.

PUNYASHLOK AHILYABAI HOLKAR: 

THE RAJAMATHA WHO REVIVED DHARMA

Rajmata Ahilyabai Holkar was the Holkar Queen of the Malwa kingdom. She is regarded as one of the most visionary female rulers of India

BIRTH AND MARRIAGE

Ahilya, born on 31 May 1725 in the village of Chondi, Jamkhed, Ahmednagar (Maharashtra), hailed from a remarkably humble background. Her father, Mankoji Rao Shinde, served as the village head and imparted the gift of literacy and warfare to her. Even as a young girl, Ahilya's unique blend of simplicity and strong character caught the attention of Malhar Rao Holkar, the Lord of the Malwa territory. He was so impressed by her that, in 1733, when she was merely eight years old, he arranged her marriage to his son Khanderao Holkar.

QUEEN TURNED INTO A RULER

After twelve years of marriage, Ahilyabai's husband, Khanderao, tragically passed away while sieging the Kumher Fort. Overwhelmed by grief, she contemplated committing sati, but her father-in-law, Malhar Rao, intervened to dissuade her from taking such a drastic measure. Instead, he embraced her as his own and provided training in military and administrative affairs, nurturing her potential in these fields.

In 1766, Ahilyabai faced the sorrowful loss of her father-in-law, Malhar Rao, and the subsequent year brought the devastating passing of her son, Male Rao. Despite these heart-wrenching tragedies, she displayed tremendous strength and resilience and became the Queen of Indore in 1767.

REIGN OF THE PHILOSOPHER QUEEN

Over the course of 28 years, Maharani Ahilyabai governed Malwa with unwavering justice, wisdom, and profound knowledge. Notably, she fearlessly led the army on numerous occasions, demonstrating her prowess as a true warrior by fighting from the frontline.

MAHESHWAR, AN OASIS OF LITERARY, MUSIC, ART, INDUSTRY.  

Under Ahilyabai’s rule, Malwa enjoyed relative peace, prosperity, and stability .Her capital, Maheshwar, transformed into a vibrant center of intellectual and artistic pursuits, attracting poets, artists, sculptors, and scholars who found a warm embrace within her kingdom. She made her realm a haven for creativity and innovation.

REVIVER OF THE DHARMA

To uphold her dharma, she became the queen who rebuilt Somnath, Mallikarjun, Nagnath, Vishwanath, Vishnupad, Mahakaleshwar and many many temples.

As Ganga Jal has special significance in Hindu culture, Holkar arranged for supplying water from the river Ganga collected at Gangotri to be received by temples across the country, including temples as far away as in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka.

“Ahilyabai Holkar, the 'philosopher-queen' of Malwa, had evidently been an acute observer of the wider political scene.”

                                                - British historian John Keyas

It is unfortunate that we often forget the inspiring stories of our great Indian queens, and there are numerous unsung heroines whose tales of courage deserve to be celebrated and remembered.In the next part “FORGETTEN QUEENS OF BHARATH” let’s remember another queen of our india.

                                                                                                                    -Venu metpalli