Ahilyabai Holkar
Queen of Malwa known for justice and temple building
- Lived
- 70 yrs
- 1725 – 1795
- Works listed
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- Honours
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Ahilyabai Holkar was the ruler of the Maratha-held kingdom of Malwa from 1767 to 1795, famous for her just administration and her many charitable works, including rebuilding the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi. She died in 1795.
Biography
From a village to the royal family
Ahilyabai was the daughter of a village headman. The Maratha general Malhar Rao Holkar noticed her and arranged her marriage to his son Khanderao. Malhar Rao trained her in administration and military affairs.
Ruler
After the deaths of her husband, father-in-law and son, she took charge of the Holkar state in 1767, ruling from Maheshwar on the Narmada. She was known for holding public audiences and dispensing justice personally, and for a peaceful and prosperous reign.
Temples and charity
She funded temples, ghats, wells and rest houses across India, from the Himalayas to the south, including rebuilding the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi in 1780. She also encouraged weaving in Maheshwar, origin of the famous Maheshwari saris.
Legacy
She died at Maheshwar on 13 August 1795. She is widely remembered as one of India’s greatest rulers, and Indore’s airport and university bear her name.
Timeline
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1725
Born in Chondi, Ahmednagar district (now Maharashtra)
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1767
Becomes ruler of Malwa
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1780
Rebuilds the Kashi Vishwanath Temple
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1795
Dies at Maheshwar
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1795
Died, aged 70
Did you know?
-
1
She rebuilt the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi.
-
2
Maheshwari saris owe their origin to her support for weavers.
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3
Indore’s airport is named after her.
Connections
Frequently asked
Who is Ahilyabai Holkar?
Ahilyabai Holkar was the ruler of the Maratha-held kingdom of Malwa from 1767 to 1795, famous for her just administration and her many charitable works, including rebuilding the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi. She died in 1795.
When did Ahilyabai Holkar die?
Ahilyabai Holkar died on 13 August 1795 at the age of 70.
Where is Ahilyabai Holkar from?
Ahilyabai Holkar was born in Chondi, Ahmednagar district (now Maharashtra).
What is Ahilyabai Holkar known for?
Ahilyabai Holkar is best known for Ruling Malwa from Maheshwar; rebuilding the Kashi Vishwanath Temple; ghats and rest houses across India.
References
- Ahilyabai Holkar — Wikipedia. Wikipedia. Retrieved 2 November 2026.
- Ahilyabai Holkar — Britannica. Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved 2 November 2026.
- Ahilyabai Holkar — Hindi Wikipedia. Wikipedia (Hindi). Retrieved 2 November 2026.
- Ahilyabai Holkar (Q2722727) — structured data. Wikidata. Retrieved 2 November 2026.
Includes material from the Wikipedia article “Ahilyabai Holkar”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. That text is available under the same licence. Learn more
External links
About this profile
- Researched by the TrackFame editorial team; reviewed by Sanjay Sokal under our editorial policy
- First published 2 November 2026
- Last updated
Cite this page
“Ahilyabai Holkar.” TrackFame, last updated 3 November 2026. https://trackfame.com/person/ahilyabai-holkar
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