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Indian Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Celebrating Rani Ahilyabai Holkar gives us an opportunity to reclaim our history
The Indian Subcontinent has always been a land of flourishing science, arts, and culture. The foreign rule, however, reshaped our politics, epistemology and narratives. It colonised us to such an extent that we started undermining our own cultural traditions. This uncritical engagement with colonisers' knowledge system produced a sense of inferiority. Anything Indic was considered less significant. Against this backdrop, it is essential to critically look at our colonial past to restore the ancient civilisational wisdom and decolonise our consciousness. The British depicted our past as savage and uncivilised. Often, they questioned the status of women in our society without knowing our civilisational legacy of having women across spheres — goddesses, philosophers, rulers and extraordinary women leaders. Celebrating these women's courage, valour, and ethical wisdom is one of the ways to reclaim Indic epistemology — a step towards achieving Viksit Bharat. If women figures like Maitreyi and Lopamudra marked our history in the Vedic age, in medieval India, there were devotees like Mirabai, and in the British period, there were revolutionaries like Jhalkaribai, Uda Devi, and Rani Abbakka Chowta. Devi Ahilyabai Holkar was also one such icon. Her political consciousness, spiritual nationalism, sense of duty, service, and wisdom made her an icon. Born on May 31, 1725, in Chondi village of Maharashtra, Rani Holkar ruled Malwa territory (a major part of which is now in Madhya Pradesh) from 1767 to 1795. The Holkar dynasty under the Maratha Empire achieved its peak during her tenure. Rooted in the civilisational ethos of samajik samrasta — a philosophical vision that aims to foster an equitable and dignified society — her policies addressed disadvantaged groups, specifically the Bhils, Gonds, and Dalits. Her efforts to bring the marginalised to the mainstream were evident in the implementation of Bhilwadi taxes that brought Bhil and Gond tribes into the administrative fold. Holkar's unequivocal defence of rights of widows over their deceased husbands' properties was way ahead of its time. The transport routes in Malwa, along with various social and public infrastructure, like temples, dharamshalas, water tanks, bathing ghats and comparable facilities within the region and at distant sacred sites — including Varanasi, Dwarka and Rameshwaram — still testify to her excellence. These infrastructural developments helped bridge the distance between different territories and their people. Her leadership established Maheshwar as a prominent textile production hub, giving rise to the Maheshwari handloom industry. Her administration supported artisans with resources and training to improve their skills. She also implemented balanced trade practices, developed markets, and established quality standards. Nari shakti is one of the key concepts in Bharatiya darshan shastra (Indian philosophy). Rani Holkar showed how women could be both compassionate, nurturing, and, at the same time, strong and decisive. The strand of modern feminism that speaks of embracing femininity instead of conceiving masculine traits to be superior was a defining feature of her leadership. She was a feminist much before feminism was conceptualised in the West. Her spiritual nationalism was manifested in the reconsecration of several religious structures allegedly desecrated by foreign invaders. The works of social reformers Aurobindo Ghosh and Deendayal Upadhayay on spiritual nationalism and antyodaya (marginalised) echo the foundational ethos and culture of Bharat that Rani Holkar upheld throughout her life. The post-colonial idea of secularism represents the Western understanding. However, the separation of church and state — it mostly defines Western secularism — is an alien concept for our ancient civilisation. In India, the concept of religion has been so fluid that to confine it within a proto-theistical paradigm of the West would be anachronistic. For us, 'dharma' goes much beyond religion and manifests itself in duties, responsibilities and conduct. It is a concept that transcends the monotheistic limits of understanding. Our basic philosophical concept is not right-based; rather, it is duty-based. For Holkar, dharma was an important element to bring everyone together. Her notions of sewa, nyaya and dharma are also evident in the work of PM Narendra Modi, who upholds an inclusive cultural narrative: Sabka saath sabka vikas. Holkar's life, contribution, and philosophy need more engagement from our scholars, activists and common people. Only the knowledge of the past can help us understand the present and reclaim history. The writer is assistant professor of Sociology, Lakshmibai College, Delhi University
NDTV
7 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Why A 16th-Century King's Statue Has Sparked A Row In Rajasthan
Jaipur: Mewar's Rajput ruler, Maharana Pratap, took on the Mughals in the Battle of Haldighati in 1576. Among the smaller rulers who fought by his side was Rana Poonja, the ruler of Bhomat, a hilly and forested area in modern-day Rajasthan. Nearly 450 years after that epic battle, two communities are fighting over the clothes -- and legacy -- of Rana Poonja. History, caste, politics and appropriation tactics criss-cross in this face-off, blurring the lines between the real and the myth. While Rajputs, including the erstwhile royal family of Panarwa, claim that Rana Poonja was a Kshatriya from the Solanki clan, local tribals say he was from the Bhil community. Both sides claim historical evidence is in their favour. What has brought this never-ending debate to the spotlight now is a statue unveiled by Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma in Chittorgarh today. A Statue Flashpoint The Chief Minister today unveiled five statues -- Maharana Pratap riding into battle, Rana Poonja and Panna Dhai, the nursemaid to Mewar ruler Udai Singh II and a local icon. The spotlight is on Rana Poonja's statue. The statue shows the warrior king dressed in a dhoti and armed with a bow and arrow. Rajputs have objected to this sartorial choice. They claim Rana Poonja was a Kshatriya and is not "dressed appropriately" in the statue. The Bhils insist that Rana Poonja is a tribal leader and allege attempts to distort history. Claims and Counterclaims Bhil Sena, an outfit representing the tribal community, has submitted a memorandum to the local authorities and alleged that attempts are being made to distort their glorious history. "Some people are tinkering with history for their selfish interests. Rana Poonja is a Bhil warrior. In 1576, at the Battle of Haldighati, who was the warrior in dhoti and armed with bow and arrow? This is our question," said Gopal Lal Bhil, district president of Bhil Sena. Local Rajput leaders disagree. Tej Pal Singh, a functionary of Jauhar Smriti Sansthan, said, "The attire on the statue is wrong. It should be in Kshatriya attire, with 'Rana Poonja Solanki' written on it." Tribal Valour In Battle Of Haldighati The Battle of Haldighati was a valiant display of Maharana Pratap's guerrilla tactics and multiple tribes, including Bhils, are said to have fought alongside the Rajput ruler. While the Bhils use this fact to stress that Rana Poonja was one of them, the Rajputs disagree. A 'Coat Of Arms' Debate The 'Coat of Arms' of the erstwhile Mewar kingdom has also been dragged into this Rajput vs Bhil debate. The Coat of Arms shows two individuals -- one dressed as a tribal, the other as a Rajput. Tribals claim the two figures are Maharana Pratap and Rana Poonja. The Rajputs argue the Coat of Arms is just a symbol to show Rajput-tribal unity. "Maharana Pratap's army had people from 36 communities, many tribals fought alongside him. This image is a symbol of social harmony under Maharana Pratap and not an actual representation of Rana Poonja," said Tej Pal Singh, adding that the Rajput community will distance itself from the idol unveiled today. A Letter To PM Modi The erstwhile royal family of Panarwa, which claims to have descended from Rana Poonja, wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2022, alleging a distortion of their family's history. "We are proud of our connection and respectful terms with the brave Bhils, Garasiyas, etc. who've been our companions and with whom we have shared our brotherhood for about seven centuries, however we are Solanki Rajputs from Bhojawat subclan, that reside in Panarwa. This is how we have known ourselves through authentic genealogy as well as through other ancestral procured records. This equally applies to my ancestor, 'Rana Punja of Panarwa' who bravely fought in the Battle of Haldighati protecting the freedom of Mewar along with his fellow Bhil tribesmen and Rajput army getting himself labelled as 'Bhiloo Rana'," the letter by Krishna Solanki, a member of the Panarwa family, states. Another member of the family Rana Manohar Singh Solanki, repeated the claim in a newspaper ad, and said any person who "defames the prestige and honour of his family and heirs in the society by distorting the caste of his ancestor Rana Punja ji" will face action. The Political Backdrop Rajputs claim the alleged historical distortion is driven by vote bank politics in a region where tribal voters play a key role. Interestingly, decades ago, an earlier statue unveiling programme by then President KR Narayanan was cancelled following Rajputs' protests because the statue had Rana Poonja in tribal attire. The Panarwa royals' letter mentions in. "...Mahendra Singhji Mewar (then MP from Chittaurgarh and descendant of Maharana Pratap) wrote an open Letter to President KR Narayan and Manohar Singhji Solanki (The 16th Direct descendant of Rana Punja Solanki) an open Letter to Rajasthan Chief Minister, Mr. Bhairon Singh Ji Shekhwat, recalling how it would create rifts between rajputs of Bhomat and Bhils in future, who cohabitated for centuries and fought together through generations shoulder to shoulder...," it states, adding that the event was eventually cancelled.
News18
23-05-2025
- General
- News18
Who Was Ahilyabai Holkar, 'The Philosopher Queen' Of Malwa Who Ruled Indore For 30 Years
Last Updated: British historian John Keay referred to her as the "Philosopher Queen of Malwa," praising her for her political wisdom and ethical governance The central government on Thursday announced the release of a commemorative Rs 300 coin to mark the 300th birth anniversary of Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar. The announcement comes as part of a nationwide celebration honouring Holkar, with events being organised by the Centre, BJP, RSS, and various other institutions across the nation. Who was Ahilyabai Holkar? Ahilyabai Holkar, also known by the honourific 'Punyashlok', was born on 31 May 1725 in the village of Chaundi, located in present-day Ahilyanagar (formerly Ahmednagar), Maharashtra. Her father, Mankoji Sindhia, was a local chieftain who took the rare step of educating his daughter, teaching her to read and write at a time when girls were often denied such opportunities. Ahilyabai's life took a turn when Malhar Rao Holkar, a noble under the Maratha Empire, spotted her at a temple feeding the poor and was impressed by her character. He arranged her marriage to his son, Khanderao Holkar, in 1733. After her husband's death in battle in 1754, and later the death of her only son, Ahilyabai ascended the throne of Indore on 11 December 1767. She ruled for nearly 30 years, becoming one of the few women in Indian history to lead a kingdom with such success. She is remembered for her deep devotion to religion and public service. She restored 12 Jyotirlingas, including the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, and constructed numerous ghats and temples along India's rivers. British historian John Keay referred to her as the 'Philosopher Queen of Malwa," praising her for her political wisdom and ethical governance. Ahilyabai was also a courageous warrior, known to fight battles from the back of an elephant, and maintained strong relations with local tribal communities like the Bhils and Gonds, helping to ensure the stability of her kingdom. To commemorate her legacy, the Uttar Pradesh Government has announced several initiatives. On Thursday, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath revealed that the medical college in Auraiya will now bear her name. He also criticised previous administrations for attempting to politicise her legacy. Calling her a symbol of women empowerment, Adityanath highlighted her historical role as a female leader running an effective and progressive administration long before the modern women's rights movement began. He also announced that seven working women's hostels in Uttar Pradesh will be named after her, as part of broader efforts under the 'Nari Vandana Act' to support and empower women. First Published:
Time of India
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Kesari Veer Movie Review: Grand in scope, but struggles with storytelling
: Based on true events, the film tells the historical tale of Hamirji Gohil (Sooraj Pancholi), a warrior who valiantly stood against an army of the Tughlaq Empire to defend Saurashtra's Somnath Temple.: Director Prince Dhiman's historical drama is an addition to the slew of movies that bring to light the story of an unsung hero, capturing a lesser-known chapter of India's rich past. The first Jyotirling, Somnath, is believed to have been destroyed 17 times by various invaders and rulers. This film revisits one such episode, when the dreaded marauder of the Tughlaq Empire, Zafar Khan (Vivek Anand Oberoi), attacked the temple to plunder its gold. Hamirji Gohil, the prince of Arthila, vowed to protect the temple and fought the battle with unwavering courage.A parallel track follows the fierce Shiv-worshipping Bhil community, led by their king, Vegda (Suniel Shetty). Part of the narrative focuses on how Hamir mobilises his troops and the Bhils to confront the formidable enemy. While the battle to protect the temple remains central, Kanubhai Chauhan's story and Shitiz Srivastava's screenplay take several detours before reaching the climax. The romantic arc between Hamir and Rajal (Akanksha Sharma) plays out at random intervals, detracting from the movie's main narrative. Song and dance sequences further disrupt the flow. Hamir's interaction with the Bhil community—where he grows closer to Rajal and bonds with the villagers—also stretches the runtime and slows the film's film's treatment—with Vikas Joshi's cinematography and action choreography by Kevin Kumar and Anand Shetty—leans heavily into stylised realism, hyper-real action aesthetics, speed ramping, and other visual techniques typical of war and battle epics. While overdoing these elements, the film also features gimmicky animation and VFX, which become glaring in scenes like Rajal protecting a lioness from poachers, cannons obliterating a forest during the climactic war, and many the film states that certain elements have been dramatised, it often stretches believability too far, such as a beheaded Hamirji continuing to fight in an extended sequence or Vegda balancing a monumental Shiv Ling on two lances to prevent it from falling to the ground. There are several inconsistencies, like Hamir and Rajal's elaborate wedding sequence right before the battle, and Zafar's army inexplicably appearing in implausibly large numbers. While the climactic battle is visually appealing, its excessive length dilutes the overall Pancholi handles action sequences well in an otherwise passable performance. Suniel Shetty, as the Shiv-bhakt Bhil leader, delivers a grounded performance, though his look feels unconvincing. Debutant Akanksha Sharma looks ethereal on screen but remains visibly raw in her craft. Vivek Oberoi as the ruthless Zafar Khan often slips into a few flashes of visual appeal,falters due to inconsistencies, length, uneven storytelling, and overdramatisation. This lesser-known tale of an unsung hero had a promising premise, but the lack of narrative conviction prevents it from taking a flight.
India.com
23-04-2025
- General
- India.com
This village has more than 100 IAS officers, children here crack NEET, IIT JEE easily, the village is in..., its name is...
THIS village has a government officer in every house, more than 100 IAS.. children here crack..., the village is in... The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the final result of the Civil Services Examination 2024. A total of 1009 candidates have been recommended, including 335 from the General category. But there is a village in India, where currently there are more than 100 IAS officers. Apart from this, the environment of education here is such that 4 out of 7 children here pass difficult exams like NEET and 3 children pass JEE very easily. The tribal dominated Padiyal village located in the remote area of Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh is famous as the 'village of officers'. Every child here wants to become a civil servant, engineer or doctor. More than 100 people from this tribal dominated village of Malwa region with a population of more than 5,000 are working as administrative officers in different parts of India. About 90 percent of the village's population belongs to the Bhil tribe. Bhils are an ethnic community that lives in central Indian states, including Dhar, Jhabua and West Nimar districts of Madhya Pradesh and Dhule and Jalgaon in Maharashtra. They are also found in Rajasthan. According to the Madhya Pradesh government, the literacy rate of Padiyal village is more than 90 percent. According to the Madhya Pradesh government, till two years ago, the number of administrative officers in this village was 70, which will cross 100 in 2024. This includes lower court judges, Indian Police Service officers, Indian Administrative Service officers, Indian Engineering Service officers, doctors, prosecution officers, forest officers, etc. However, the quality of education or literacy rate of this Bhil tribe dominated village was judged when 4 out of 7 school children successfully cleared the NEET exam and 3 others cleared the JEE Mains exam this year. The state government said in a statement that on an average, there is one government employee from every house in this village, which is a total of 300. It is said that the youth here started competing to appear in competitive examinations since independence.
