How is MP Govt Honoring the 300th Birth Anniversary of Ahilyabai?

Bhopal, May 17 (NationPress) In celebration of the 300th birth anniversary of the illustrious Rani Ahilyabai Holkar, the respected ruler of Indore, the state government has announced that it will hold a cabinet meeting in Indore on May 20.

This meeting marks a historic first, being conducted in Indore as Ahilyabai assumed her regency on May 20, 1766, with her birth anniversary also celebrated on May 31 (1725).

According to Kailash Vijayavargiya, the Urban Development Minister, this event serves as a tribute to Ahilyabai, a monumental figure in our rich historical narrative.

In an effort to resurrect the elegance of a bygone era, this significant cabinet meeting will take place at Rajwada, a palace that once served as the residence of the Holkar dynasty.

Rajwada, once the grand court of the Holkar family, remains a symbol of Indore’s architectural and cultural heritage.

Although Devi Ahilyabai Holkar established Maheshwar as her capital, governance was later taken over by Yashwant Rao Holkar and Tukoji Rao Holkar, who ruled from Indore.

This event signifies the very first cabinet meeting hosted in Indore, a privilege previously held by the Narmada-Shipra confluence site in Ujjaini, located within the Indore district.

The meeting is expected to begin at noon, where crucial state governance decisions will be made. Additionally, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav will lead the Bhoomi Pujan ceremony for the restoration of the gardens at both Lalbagh Palace and Rajwada Palace.

The Indore Municipal Corporation has committed Rs 20 lakh for the beautification of these areas, showcasing its dedication to aesthetic enhancement.

Rajwada, with its two-century history, has witnessed the trials of time, including damage during the riots of 1984, which necessitated extensive restoration efforts around twenty-five years later.

Recently, under the Smart City Project, Rajwada was revitalized, undergoing a significant renovation costing Rs 20 crore.

Ahilyabai was born into a prominent Marathi Hindu family, the daughter of Mankoji Shinde and Sushila Shinde, from the village of Chandi, now in Ahmednagar (Maharashtra).

Her father, a member of the Dhangar community, ensured she grew up in a rich environment of tradition and ethics.

Ahilyabai's rise to prominence began with a serendipitous meeting with Malhar Rao Holkar, a powerful commander in the army of Maratha Peshwa Baji Rao I and the ruler of Malwa.

She later established Maheshwar (Madhya Pradesh) as the center of the Holkar dynasty.

Impressed by her piety and noble character, Malhar Rao recognized her as a future queen and encouraged his son, Khandojee, to marry her.

Thus, in 1733, at the tender age of seven or eight, Ahilyabai was wed to Khandojee, who was only nine or ten. They had two children: a son, Maloji Holkar, born in 1745, and a daughter, Muktabai Holkar, born in 1748.

However, Ahilyabai's legacy goes far beyond her family ties, embodying a legacy of enlightened governance, cultural advocacy, and a steadfast commitment to the welfare of her subjects.