Amit Shah, Yogi pay tribute to Ahilyabai Holkar on death anniversary
Synopsis
On Ahilyabai Holkar’s death anniversary, three of India’s most prominent BJP leaders — Home Minister Amit Shah, UP CM Yogi Adityanath, and Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis — paid separate tributes on X, spotlighting the 18th-century Maratha queen’s legacy of women’s empowerment, temple restoration, and enlightened governance as a touchstone for contemporary political identity.
Key Takeaways
Union Home Minister Amit Shah paid tribute to Lokmata Ahilyabai Holkar on her death anniversary on 13 August via a post on X.
Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath honoured Holkar as an embodiment of women’s empowerment, justice, and ‘cultural nationalism’.
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis called her ‘an exemplary ruler’ on her SmrutiDin .
Holkar, an 18th-century Maratha queen of the Malwa Kingdom , is credited with temple renovation, promotion of women’s education, and widow remarriage advocacy.
The tributes highlight the continued political and cultural resonance of Holkar’s legacy, particularly among BJP leadership.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday, 13 August paid tribute to Lokmata Ahilyabai Holkar on her death anniversary, honouring her legacy as a symbol of faith, cultural stewardship, public welfare, and good governance. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also joined in the remembrance, describing her as a timeless inspiration.
Amit Shah's Tribute
Home Minister Shah took to social media platform X to express his reverence, saying: “I remember Lokmata Ahilyabai Holkar ji on her death anniversary and pay my respects to her. Lokmata made an incomparable contribution in the conservation and restoration of heritage, from the renovation and reconstruction of temples to the development of pilgrimages.”
Shah further noted that Ahilyabai Holkar had championed women’s education and widow remarriage, and had “established the ideal of public welfare, justice and good governance.” He called her life “an inspiring example of dedication towards religion, culture, public service and national interest.”
Yogi Adityanath's Remembrance
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath described Holkar as “a revered figure, a devout worshipper of Lord Shiva, and the embodiment of women’s empowerment, justice, statesmanship, and public welfare.” He credited her with upholding ‘cultural nationalism’ by establishing benchmarks for prosperity, social harmony, and religious renaissance across the nation, not merely within her own kingdom.
Adityanath added: “She transformed justice into policy, service into a spiritual calling, and good governance into a way of life. Every decision she made was inspired by Dharma and a spirit of service. She will forever remain a beacon of inspiration for us all.”
Fadnavis Joins the Tribute
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis also posted on X, calling Holkar “an exemplary ruler whose vision, compassion, and commitment to public welfare remain a timeless inspiration.” He referred to her by the honorific Punyashlok Rajmata Devi Ahilyabai Holkar on her SmrutiDin.
Ahilyabai Holkar: Historical Significance
Ahilyabai Holkar, the 18th-century Maratha queen of the Malwa Kingdom, is widely regarded as one of India’s most enlightened rulers. She is credited with renovating temples across the subcontinent, promoting trade and agriculture, and championing the welfare of her subjects at a time when women rulers were rare. Her death anniversary continues to be observed as an occasion for political and cultural reflection across party lines, though this year’s tributes were notably led by senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders.
The convergence of tributes from the Union Home Minister and two chief ministers underscores the enduring political resonance of Holkar’s legacy, particularly in states with strong Maratha historical connections such as Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh.
Point of View
Yogi, and Fadnavis on the same day are not coincidental — they reflect a deliberate BJP effort to claim Holkar’s legacy as a pillar of cultural nationalism ahead of the Independence Day cycle. Holkar’s story — a woman who ruled justly in the 18th century, restored temples, and championed the marginalised — maps neatly onto the party’s dual messaging on women’s empowerment and Hindu civilisational pride. What mainstream coverage often misses is that Holkar’s legacy is genuinely contested across Maharashtra’s political spectrum; the BJP’s prominence in this year’s tributes effectively crowds out that broader conversation.
NationPress
13 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Ahilyabai Holkar and why is she remembered?
Ahilyabai Holkar was an 18th-century Maratha queen of the Malwa Kingdom, celebrated for her enlightened governance, renovation of temples across India, promotion of women’s education, and advocacy for widow remarriage. She is honoured with the title ‘Lokmata’ and her death anniversary is widely observed as a day of cultural and political remembrance.
What did Amit Shah say on Ahilyabai Holkar’s death anniversary?
Home Minister Amit Shah posted on X that Holkar made ‘an incomparable contribution in the conservation and restoration of heritage’ and called her life ‘an inspiring example of dedication towards religion, culture, public service and national interest.’
What did Yogi Adityanath say about Ahilyabai Holkar?
Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath described Holkar as a devout worshipper of Lord Shiva and the embodiment of women’s empowerment, justice, and statesmanship. He credited her with upholding ‘cultural nationalism’ and said she ‘transformed justice into policy and service into a spiritual calling.’
Did Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis also pay tribute?
Yes, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis posted on X, referring to Holkar as ‘Punyashlok Rajmata Devi Ahilyabai Holkar’ and calling her ‘an exemplary ruler whose vision, compassion, and commitment to public welfare remain a timeless inspiration.’
What is the significance of Ahilyabai Holkar’s SmrutiDin?
SmrutiDin is a Marathi term for a death anniversary observed as a day of remembrance and tribute. Ahilyabai Holkar’s SmrutiDin is marked annually, drawing tributes from political leaders, cultural organisations, and historians who regard her as one of India’s most consequential women rulers.
