Why BJP is pulling out all stops to mark Ahilyabai Holkar's 300th birth anniversary in MP

The statue of Ahilyabai Holkar is garlanded on the occasion of her birth anniversary in Pune. (File photo/ANI)

The MP unit of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is carrying out a massive campaign — spanning nine months since September 2024, multiple cities, and political, academic and developmental initiatives – in the run up to the 300th birth anniversary celebrations of the 18th-century Maratha queen Devi Ahilyabai Holkar later this month.

The initiative, led by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, has elevated Ahilyabai from a historically revered figure to the centerpiece of politics in Madhya Pradesh.

With these celebrations, the BJP government is orchestrating one of the most comprehensive state-led cultural commemorations in recent memory. The culmination of the nine-month long celebrations 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.

Who was Ahilyabai Holkar?

Ahilyabai Holkar 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.

She was a trailblazer, establishing policies that uplifted marginalised communities, advanced education, improved healthcare, and built vital infrastructure that fostered economic growth and connectivity. The 18th century was a tumultuous period in India, marked by political fragmentation, economic challenges, and social unrest. In this environment, Ahilyabai emerged as a strong and capable leader.

How is Madhya Pradesh marking the celebrations?

As part of the celebrations, Madhya Pradesh has held folk and dance performances; art exhibitions; theatrical dramas across MP 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, according to a report by The Indian Express.

In addition to this, at a recent Cabinet meeting, held at Ahilyabai’s Rajwada Palace in Indore, Yadav also 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.

At another meeting, CM Yadav remembered Devi Ahilyabai's glory and governance. He described ‘Women Empowerment Grand Conference’ as a grand women-centric programme to honour Devi Ahilyabai Holkar's legacy.

What's at stake for Mohan Yadav?

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has taken personal ownership of the campaign around Ahilyabai Holkar. He has linked her story to the development work and women’s empowerment schemes of his own government. According to an IE report, her place in the Hindutva pantheon is a bonus for Yadav, who is seeking to cement his position in the state’s politics.

While other CMs have highlighted religious and historical figures in the past, it was reportedly the first time that events were being planned at this scale.

How are BJP, RSS countering controversies around celebrations?

There have been several allegation by the opposition leaders that the celebrations are aimed at scoring political points. Countering these contentions, BJP leaders in Madhya Pradesh have claimed that the celebration of Ahilyabai Holkar is not political in nature. According to a media report, 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.”

Meanwhile, a senior RSS leader from Indore told the Indian Express, “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.”