Ahilyabai Holkar

This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these template messages) This article may require copy editing for grammar and encyclopedic tone. You can assist by editing it. (February 2024) (Learn how and when to remove this message) This article's lead section may be too short to adequately summarize the key points. Please consider expanding the lead to provide an accessible overview of all important aspects of the article. (February 2024) This article may be written from a fan's point of view, rather than a neutral point of view. Please clean it up to conform to a higher standard of quality, and to make it neutral in tone. (February 2024) (Learn how and when to remove this message) This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Ahilyabai Holkar" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (February 2024) (Learn how and when to remove this message) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

Ahilyabai Holkar
Portrait of Ahilyabai Holkar holding a Lingam.
Rani of Indore
Reign	1 December 1767 – 13 August 1795
Coronation	11 December 1767
Predecessor	Male Rao Holkar
Successor	Tukojirao Holkar
Regent of Indore
Regency	20 May 1766 – 5 April 1767
Subedar	Male Rao Holkar
Born	(1725-05-31)31 May 1725 Chondi, Maratha Confederacy (present-day Ahmednagar District, Maharashtra, India)
Died	13 August 1795(1795-08-13) (aged 70) Rajwada, Indore, Indore State, Maratha Confederacy (present-day, Madhya Pradesh, India)
Spouse	Khande Rao Holkar
Issue	Male Rao Holkar (son) Muktabai (daughter)
Names Ahilya Bai Sahiba Holkar
House	Holkar
Father	Mankoji Shinde
Mother	Sushila Shinde
Religion	Hinduism

Ahilyabai Holkar (Marathi pronunciation: [əɦɪljɑbaɪ]; 31 May 1725 – 13 August 1795),^[1] also spelled Ahalya Bai,^[2] was the Rani of Indore, within the Maratha Confederacy. She established Maheshwar (in Madhya Pradesh) as the seat of the Holkar Dynasty.^[3]

After the demise of her husband Khande Rao Holkar and father-in-law Malhar Rao Holkar, Ahilyabai herself undertook the affairs of the Holkar dynasty. She defended the Malwa state against intruders and personally led armies into battle, with the Tukoji Rao Holkar as her military commander.^[3] She was also known for the construction of various Hindu temples and Dharmashalas across the Indian Subcontinent.^[3] She was also known for breaking traditional gender rules 18th Century in India.^[4]