MP's nine-month celebration of an 18th-century queen: The importance of Ahilyabai Holkar

Indian Express

28-05-2025

THE 18TH-CENTURY Maratha queen Devi Ahilyabai Holkar is seeing a revival in Madhya Pradesh, with the Mohan Yadav-led BJP government orchestrating one of the most comprehensive state-led cultural commemorations in recent memory, in the run-up to her 300th birth anniversary celebrations later this month.
The culmination, on May 31, will see Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurate the Indore Metro Rail's first phase, along with Datia and Satna airports, as well as give an address to a 'Women Empowerment Grand Conference' in Bhopal. Over two lakh women are expected to attend, including Self Help Group (SHG) members, Ladli Behna scheme beneficiaries, and entrepreneurs.
The Madhya Pradesh campaign — spanning nine months since September 2024, multiple cities, and political, academic and developmental initiatives – has elevated Ahilyabai from a historically revered figure to the centerpiece of politics in Madhya Pradesh. It helps that Ahilyabai, apart from her administrative genius, is a cultural symbol with much resonance for her contribution towards restoration of many temples.
As part of the celebrations, Madhya Pradesh has held folk and dance performances; art exhibitions; theatrical dramas across cities like Maheshwar, Chitrakoot, Indore, Ujjain, Omkareshwar, and Orchha on Ahilyabai; sanctioned a state-sponsored film on her life and a commemorative book; exhibitions of 234 watercolor paintings of temples she restored (including the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi), and a light-and-sound show in her name. Alongside this, the Marathi Sahitya Academy is translating documents related to Ahilyabai and planning her statues along the Narmada Parikrama route.
At a recent Cabinet meeting, held at Ahilyabai's Rajwada Palace in Indore, Yadav approved Rs 3,876 crore worth of development projects related to the campaign, and sanctioned a youth training programme named after her to provide interest subsidies on loans. A Women Start-Up Policy is in the works, with female artisans and entrepreneurs being prominently showcased at exhibitions on Ahilyabai.
CM takes the lead
Mohan Yadav has taken personal ownership of the campaign around Ahilyabai, linking her story to the development work and women's empowerment schemes of his own government. Ahilyabai's place in the Hindutva pantheon is an additional bonus for the first-time CM, who is seeking to consolidate his position in the state's politics.
His selection as CM ahead of other leaders after long-time CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan was moved to the Centre as Union minister had come as a surprise.
Deepak Tiwari, the former Vice Chancellor of Makhanlal Chaturvedi University and an author on Madhya Pradesh's political history, pointed out that Ahilyabai's renovation of Shiva temples across India makes her a figure with lasting cultural resonance.
While other CMs have highlighted religious and historical figures, Tiwari noted, it was the first time that events were being planned at this scale. 'This type of politics did not happen in the past. The first time sadhus entered the political scene was with Uma Bharti in 2003. But the celebration of a religious icon at this level on the government level never took place before' he said.
Tiwari also pointed out that Mohan Yadav is the first Madhya Pradesh CM who is himself in-charge of Indore district. 'Indore is the commercial and financial capital of the state. He is treating Indore like he treats Ujjain (his home base).' The decision to hold the Cabinet meeting at Rajwada Palace, from Ahilyabai's seat of power, was deliberate, Tiwari said.
Indore, incidentally, is the turf of BJP heavyweight and Urban Development Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya, who was considered a probable CM face before the BJP picked Yadav.
At a recent event, Mohan Yadav also linked Ahilyabai's temple-restoration legacy to resistance against the Mughals. 'The Mughals launched a campaign to destroy our devasthans. I have no hesitation saying that barring Ahilyabai Holkar, the big rulers did not pay attention to this issue,' he said.
This links with the BJP narrative of praising 'homegrown' princely states for upholding India's cultural history.
BJP leaders in the state counter the contention that the celebration of Ahilyabai is aimed at scoring political points. Senior BJP leader and Indore (Rural) District President Ghanshyam Naroliya said the events were just an extension of Yadav's women-centric governance.
Naroliya said, 'The celebrations will continue under all BJP-ruled states. We want to take her story to pan-India level.'
A senior RSS leader from Indore said, 'It is unfair to say Devi Ahilyabai is used by the BJP and RSS for political points. The Sangh is celebrating her social and religious contribution, her governance model. We want society to know about all of this. We celebrate national heroes like Dr Ambedkar, Vivekananda, and the 1857 rebellion. The Sangh commemorated all of these important historical events. Why should the whole country not know about Ahilyabai? She was not just a queen based in Indore.'