This is the story of a Holkar queen Devi Ahilya who changed fortunes of her Kingdom with grit, determination & bravery and converted once a small village-kind town—Indore— into a metro-kind city by bringing a holistic development here.
A living legend in true form, she dedicated her life for the prosperity and happiness of her people.
Despite being married to the royal family’s prince Khanderao Holkar at the age of 8 years, the little girl quickly learnt the art to run an empire with utmost dedication.
The queen emerged as a proficient ruler and a brave queen who remained undeterred despite facing many adverse challenges in her life which included the untimely death of her husband, her father-in-law, son, daughter and son-in-law.
Despite facing all these odds, she continued serving her people with grit, loyalty and dedication.
She ruled Indore for over 30 years and brought in prosperity for her town by converting it into a flourishing city which once existed as a small village.
During her reign, she built many forts, developed roads in Malwa and also sponsored many festivals.
Also, there is a long list of donations she gave to many Hindu temples.
Her philanthropic activities stretched far and wide crossing the boundaries of her empire. Also, many temples, ghats, wells, water tanks and rest-houses were constructed under her tenure which stretched from the Northern Belt of India to the south of the country.
She beautified many religious sites which included Kashi, Gaya, Somnath, Ayodhya, Mathura, Hardwar, Kanchi, Avanti, Dwarka, Badrinarayan, Rameshwar and Jaganathpuri.
She announced Maheshwar her state capital which over the years emerged as a melting pot of literary, musical, artistic and industrial achievements. A beautiful Ahilya Fort was created here on the banks of pristine Narmada which was based on 18th century Maratha architecture.
The queen had a great respect for craftsmen, sculptors and artists who grew by leaps and bounds under her kingdom. Also, the merchants produced the elegant clothes and the trade flourished in her kingdom.
Queen Ahilyabai shares the credit for converting Indore into a textile city as many textile industries being set in during her tenure.
Besides being a queen, she was also a strategist who knew how to defeat her enemy strategically.
She was also a diplomat, who knew how to use her intellect skills to come out as winner during disputes with other kingdoms. Basically, she was a noble soul who wanted everyone in her kingdom to prosper.
The stories of this unconquered Maratha Warrior continues inspiring people around who go awe-stuck listening to the tales of valour, grit and determination!