Ahilyabai Holkar

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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 Rajamata of Indore, within the Maratha Confederacy. She established Maheshwar (in Madhya Pradesh) as the seat of the Holkar Dynasty.^[3] Remaining firmly in the hearts of Indians, she has become a household name for her good governance, social welfare, humanitarian work, and religious, educational and cultural developments^[4]. The various temples, Ghats and Dharmshalas built during her period express Indian architecture and its various features. Ahilyabai's charitable endowments spread not only in the Malwa region but across India^[5].. Seeing the temples, Ghats and Dharamshala buildings standing without a name, the Indian mind remembers the name of Rajamata Ahilyabai. She is seen more as a sadhvi than as a queen and as the great ruler of Malwa. She is also known as the Queen of Temples ^[6][5]. Sadhvi who did not grieve for the hardships she faced in life (she lost her husband and two children at a young age), did not rush, did not lose devotion in religious work and maintained her state of consciousness and strived for the elevation of Indian culture.

She transformed Indore into a progressive city, and build industries^[7] and universities^[8]. The government of India issued a stamp on 25 August 1996 in celebration of the 200th death anniversary^[9]. The Indore airport is named after Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport. The city of Indore named the university Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya. Not merely in her State but indeed in other parts of India she is credited with promoting activities including repair and additions to several famous temples such as Kashi Viswanath Mandir at Varanasi, Gouri Somnath Mandir at Chola and the construction of the famous Dashashwamedh Ghat at Banaras.

Indore not only became a major city but also built industries ^[7] and universities ^[8]. The Government of India issued a postal stamp in honor of Sadhvi's 200th death anniversary on 25 August 1996^[9]. Presently the airport at Indore is named "Devi Ahalya Bai Holkar Airport". The university in Indore city is named as Devi Ahalya University. Not only in her own state but also across India, she is credited with arranging the supply of Ganga water for temples, shrines, Ghats, temple donations, endowments and annual pujas. She is credited with promoting activities including the repair and addition of several famous temples, notably the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi, the Gauri Somnath Temple^[10] in Chola and the construction of the famous Dashashwamedha Ghat in Banaras.

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 Indore state against intruders and personally led armies into battle, with the Tukoji Rao Holkar as her military commander.^[3]