Dr. Ganesh Matkar is considered a living encyclopedia on Holkar's history. He is a multi faceted personality who has been a Professor, an actor, a playwright and director and an author. The book is published by Ahilyabai Holkar Smarak Samiti. Pooja got this book at the Pune Book Festival recently and gave it to me to browse and I found some interesting snippets in it.
The Holkar dynasty ruled over Indore and further North from 1728-1948. It was known as the Dhangar (shepherd) dynasty. The roots of the Holkar dynasty begin with Subedar Malharrao Holkar whose ancestors came to Maharashtra from Mathura. Malharrao's father was a Veerkar and they changed their name to Holkar because they lived in a village named 'Hol' near Pune. As a young man Malharrao looked after the goats and sheep of his uncle who was in the army, learned horse riding and eventually joined the army where he showed great military prowess. Malharrao shone during the defeat of Nizam Ul Mulk of Hyderabad at Tirla.
After this sensational victory he was made Subedar of Malwa by Peshwa Bajirao I where he developed Indore as his Head Quarters. The Delhi Emperor, pleased with Bajirao and Malhar for wiping out the Nizam's gifted Malwa to them. Malharrao looked after Rampura, Bhanpura, Tak from the Jaipur king and got a promise of lands from the Nawab of Ayodhya. An able administrator Malharrao purchased Chandwad from the Mughals in 1752 AD and developed a military base and trade centre. In 1766 he died in Alampur.
Malharrao's son Khande Rao predeceased him as he was killed in battle in 1954 leaving behind his widow Ahilyabai Holkar. Ahilyabai wanted to commit Sati but was stopped by her father in law who asked her to take his son's place. He trained her to rule. In the same year Ahilyabai lost her father in law, mother in law and son and was given the responsibility of handling the Holkar state. She shifted the capital from Indore to Maheshwar and successfully ruled the kingdom for 30 golden years. Ahilyabai ruled the state in Lord Shiva's name, patronised arts and culture and made the land prosperous and harmonious. Ahilyabai was so famous that they say she was known in other countires.
The next famous ruler was Tukoji Rao I who ruled from 1795 to 1997 AD and then Yeshwantrao Holkar who fought the British, raised his own army, manufactured cannons. He built a Chhatri for Ahilyabai Holkar at Maheshwar. During 1811-33 period Malharrao II ruled the state - as he was a minor his mother Tulsabai ruled. She was an able administrator who was unfortunately killed when the outlaws of Pendhari revolved against her. The Holkar state had to make concessions to the British who built a Military Head Quarters of War (MHOW) 20 kms from Indore. In 1844 Tukoji Rai II came to power and built the new Indore. In 1886 Shivajirao Holkar built Lalbaug Palace, Hawa bungalow, Sukhnivas Palace, Yeshwant Nivas Palace, Darya Mahal etc.
The Holkars were considered an extension of Maratha rule. Their family deity was Khandoba. The Peshwas of Pune gave khasgi privileges to Holkars and not to other commanders like Shinde, Bhonsale, Gaekwad, Jadhav etc. The Maratha rule across India was controlled through the Holkars (central India), Bhonsales of Nagpur (East), Shinde and Pawar to the North, Patwardhans to the South and Sardar Angre to the West. 14 rulers ruled Holkar during the period 1788-1948.
During Ahilyabai's time they say there was no rest for the chisel as she constructed many temples, forts (Maheshwar, Chandwad, Sindhwa), did work on all Jyotirlingas (Somnath, Srisailam, Omkareshwar, Vaijnath, Nagnath, Vishwanath, Trimbakeshwar, Ghrineshwar, Gokarna, Mahakaleshwar, Rameshwaram, Bheemashankar).
Interesting tidbits. Thanks Pooja.
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