Remembering Devi Ahilya

This post is dedicated to Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar – perhaps the greatest of any warrior queens we had in history.

Many of you must have heard about her….but unfortunately her story is largely unknown and has not got the attention it deserves.  Although her 30-year reign is widely regarded as the model for a benevolent and effective government and administration, her rule is usually a  footnote in medieval history – which is a shame considering her astounding achievements and philosohpy of governance.

Devi Ahilya was born into a Patil (non-royal) family in 1725. Her early upbringing must have been influenced by her father – who taught her to read and write although women did not widely receive education in those days. While still a young child (8-9 years old), she caught the eye of Malhar Rao Holkar, a commander of the Peshwas who was responsible for the territories of Malwa – who chose her as a bride for his son Khande Rao.

Ahilya Bai was married to Khande Rao in due course and would have continued with her princely, yet uneventful life except that fate had something else in store for her. In 1754, Khande Rao was killed in battle, stuck by a cannon ball (during the siege of Kumbher, near Deeg in Rajasthan) while Ahilyabai was still young (not yet 30).

From that point on, Malhar Rao started grooming her to be a ruler of Malwa, advising her on statecraft and military tactics. As Sh V S Bhatnagar writes in his well-researched essay on Devi Ahilya:

…From Malhar Rao’s letters we get a fair idea of how after the death of his only son, he trained his daughter-in-law, Ahilya Bai, in matters of state and governance. He kept Ahilya Bai informed about the political developments in North India, such as his dealings with Najib-ud-daula, and the Nawab of Awadh, the advance of Abdali and about his own movements making her familiar with the fast changing political conditions at that time.

Malhar Rao’s communications to Ahilya Bai often contained practical advice and tactics:

Do not rush head–long. Allow personality and prestige their own effect to work …

…never let the artillery be away from your sight. Least power and greatest weight should be your maxim and rule.

Ahilya Bai’s undisputed position and the respect she was accorded was largely based on her reputation as “a just and efficient ruler who ruled as if she was the Trustee of the State.”

In Ahilyabai Holkar – A Magnificent Ruler, Saintly Administrator, Eleanor Zelliott writes how “Ahilyabai never observed purdah but held daily public audience and was always accessible to anyone who needed her ear.” She quotes the administrator and historian, Sir John Malcolm who wrote these words about her:

Her first principle of government appears to have been moderate assessment, and an almost sacred respect for the native rights of village officers and proprietors of land. She heard every complaint in person; and although she continually referred cases to courts of equity and arbitration, and to her ministers for settlement, she was always accessible. So strong was her sense of duty on all points connected with the distribution of justice, that she is represented as not only patient but unwearied in the investigation of the most insignificant cases, when appeals were made to her decision.

Sir Malcolm was not the only foreign historian to write about her. Her fame and administrative abilities were well-known to travellers and other historians from that era.

Her wikipedia entry cites this poem written by Joanna Baillie (in 1849). It reads:

For thirty years her reign of peace,
The land in blessing did increase;
And she was blessed by every tongue,
By stern and gentle, old and young.
Yea, even the children at their mothers feet
Are taught such homely rhyming to repeat

In latter days from Brahma came,
To rule our land, a noble Dame,
Kind was her heart, and tright her frame,
And Ahlya was her honoured name.

And Dr Annie Besant had this to say about her (From “Ahalyabai – A Great Ruler, Children of the Mother Land, Page 290-291”):

This great ruler in Indore encouraged all within her realm to do their best, Merchants produced their finest cloths, trade flourished, the farmers were at peace and oppression ceased, for each case that came to the queens notice was dealt with severely. She loved to see her people prosper, and to watch the fine cities grow, and to watch that her subjects were not afraid to display their wealth, lest the ruler should snatch it from them.

Far and wide the roads were planted with shady trees, and wells were made, and rest-houses for travellers. The poor, the homeless, the orphaned were all helped according to their needs. The Bhils who had long been the torment of all caravans, were routed from their mountain fastnesses and persuaded to settle down as honest farmers. Hindu and Musalman alike revered the famous Queen and prayed for her long life….Ahalya Bai was seventy years old when her long and splendid life closed. Indore long mourned its noble Queen, happy had been her reign, and her memory is cherished with deep reverence unto this day.

As many of you would know, Indore’s domestic airport has been named in her honour and the University (my alma mater) also bears her name: “Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya”.

Additional Reading:  Not many of you may be aware of the extent of her work and contributions to reviving old temples and pligrimage centres during her reign. This article  Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar – A Visionary Warrior Queen by V S Bhatnagar might you get a sense of the extent of her work and charities for religious purposes.