#Thread
225th Ahilyadevi Holkar Punyatithi.

#AhilyadeviHolkar is one significant queen who made a huge impact in our history, the life of this benevolent queen is so inspiring that it must be celebrated through the length and breadth of this nation

A short thread on her life

When the entire nation was in the clutches of Islamic invaders one woman dreamed of Swaraj that is Jijau and she made it happen by teaching her son Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj the right lessons and on the same path after a century, AhilyaDevi took forward the same dream.
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Ahilyadevi was born in a small village of Chondi in Nagar district on 31st May 1725.

Her father's name was Mankoji Shinde, Mankoji Shinde was a village Patil and belonged to the Dhangar community, who taught Ahilyabai to read and write.
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The story about how Malharrao Holkar, her future father in law met her is quite interesting, Malharrao Holkar was a commander in Bajirao's army and the Jahagirdar of Malwa province,
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Once on his way to Pune, he stopped at Chondi village for rest and there he saw Ahilyabai serving the needy and doing the seva of a nearby mandir. That image made a place in his heart and he inquired about her.
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After inquiring about her, he was impressed and asked Mankoji to marry his daughter to his son Khanderao Holkar,Mankoji didn't deny the proposal as Holkar family was one famous family and in few days they got married.
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Many years passed and an unfortunate incident took place, Khanderao Holkar was shot dead in the battle of Kumbher in 1754, and at the age of 21 Ahilyabai became a widow.
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After this Ahilya Bai was fully prepared to go "Sati" but Malharrao Holkar stopped her from doing so and in coming years he taught her governance,politics and other required skills to run a province.
Remember that this was a huge thing for that time.
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A few more years passed and Malharrao passed away in 1766, and another calamity struck on Ahilyabai, the successor of Holkar dyansty,son of Ahilyabai and Khanderao passed away in few years.
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The cloud of problems over her head where nowhere to go.Ahilyabai stood up with great courage without any fear in facing such a terrible crisis.
In few years,Ahilyabai took up the task of governing Malwa Region and the golden era of Malwa as well as Bharat began.....
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Some people rejected Ahilyabai's leadership but after she was backed by the Peshwa's of Pune,the entire Holkari army stood firmly behind them.

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Ahilyabai appointed Tukoji Holkar, who was one important person to Malharrao, as the commander of Holkar's army, and Ahilyabai emerged as a great, far-sighted ruler for 30 years.
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Ahilyabai was an expert in archery, she gave every art equal importance in her provice,The Malwa province prospered because of her belief that art,literature,science are as important as a strong army to defend a state.
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Ahilyabai's court was open to all, and the sufferings of each one of them were heard by her, and she gave justice without any partiality, so the people of her province were always happy and had faith in the justice system.
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When the wealth of the Holkars came into her hands, she used it properly, donated to many places, used the wealth for religious purposes, renovated hundreds of temples, built many Dharamsala, built lakes.
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And she did this not only in the Malva area but all over Bharat. I will mention the names of the temples he restored later. She never neglected his army while doing Dharmakarya.
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Holkar Army backed Peshwa's in various wars,be it Gujurat war in 1772 or Konkan or fighting against tyrant Tipu.Ahilyabai,always gave same importance to the army.
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Maheshwari saree factories were set up during the time of Ahilya Bai Holkar and today they are known all over the world as Maheshwari sarees. Good roads, houses, ghats and rest houses were built in Malwa province.
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She restored thousands of temples all over the nation, few of them being Kashi Vishwanath,Parli Vaijnath,Ozar Ganpati and thousand others. i am sure youll be amazed to read this list the list below:
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She also gave many donations for the restoration of these temples ..... Shri Ram Mandir Ayodhya, Shri Chintamani Ganesh Mandir Ujjain, Shri Ram Mandir Nashik, Sangamner and Pandharpu, Vasudev Mandir Bhusawal, Ganpati Mandir Sultanpur
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The Lingarchan Puja started by Ahilyabai in 1766 which was held in Maheshwar's palace first is still going on for so many years now.
Here,11 brahmans make 1100 Shivling per head and they do their pooja.
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After reading all these things, we realize why Ahilyabai Holkar became Ahilya "Devi" Holkar for us. Be it Dharmakarya or be it military prowess Ahilya Devi Holkar became the skilled ruler of Malva province by taking care of all these things.
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Whenever you go to any of the temples mentioned in the list, remember that this temple is built by Ahilya Devi Holkar
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Ahilyadevi,was called by the almighty in his abode on 13th august 1795.
Today on the occasion of her 225th Punyatithi,lets bow down in front of this benevolent queen and thank her for what she has did for our Dharma and our nation.
Shat Shat Naman ! Ahilyadvei !
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@LostTemple7 @Gannuuprem @GauPrem @Dharma_Yoddhaa