Holkar facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Holkar Maharaja of Indore |
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Coat of arms of Indore State
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The gate of Rajwada, royal palace of the Holkar dynasty, Indore
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Flag of Indore
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| Details | |
| First monarch | Malhar Rao Holkar I |
| Last monarch | Yashwantrao Holkar II |
| Formation | 2 November 1731 |
| Abolition | 26 June 1948 |
| Residence | Rajwada, Indore |
The Holkar family was a powerful Maratha family in India. They started as generals for the Peshwas (leaders) of the Maratha Empire. Later, they became the Maharajas (rulers) of Indore in Central India. They were an independent part of the Maratha Empire until 1818. Eventually, their kingdom became a princely state (a state ruled by a local king but controlled by the British) under British India.
The family was started by Malhar Rao. He joined the Maratha Empire's service in 1721. He quickly became a high-ranking officer called a Subedar. The rulers were often called Holkar Maharaja.
Contents
The Holkar Dynasty Begins
Malhar Rao Holkar (1694–1766) was a Maratha chief. He worked for Peshwa Baji Rao I. Malhar Rao started the Holkar family's rule over Indore. In the 1720s, he led Maratha armies in the Malwa region. In 1733, the Peshwa gave him control of nine areas near Indore.
The town of Indore was already a small independent area. Malhar Rao's forces took control of it. In 1734, he set up a camp that later became Malharganj. In 1747, he began building his royal palace, the Rajwada. By the time he died, he ruled much of Malwa. He was seen as one of the five almost independent rulers of the Maratha Confederacy.
His daughter-in-law, Ahilyabai Holkar (ruled 1767–1795), took over after him. She was born in the village of Chaundi in Maharashtra. She moved the capital to Maheshwar, which is south of Indore on the Narmada River. Rani Ahilyabai was a great builder. She supported Hindu temples in Maheshwar and Indore. She also built temples at holy places outside her kingdom. These included Dwarka in Gujarat and the Kashi Vishwanath Temple at Varanasi.
Malhar Rao Holkar's adopted son, Tukoji Rao Holkar (ruled 1795–1797), briefly became ruler after Rani Ahilyabai died. Tukoji Rao had been a commander under Ahilyabai for her entire rule.
Expanding the Holkar Kingdom
Yashwantrao Holkar (ruled 1797–1811) became ruler after Tukoji Rao. He was also known as Jaswant Rao. He tried to free the Delhi Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II from the British. This happened during the Second Anglo-Maratha War, which he did not win. The grateful Shah Alam gave him a special title for his bravery.
Yashwantrao Holkar tried to unite the Indian kings. However, he was not successful. He was then asked to sign a peace treaty with the British. The Treaty of Rajghat was signed in December 1805. This treaty recognized him as a sovereign king.
The Battle of Mahidpur
In 1811, four-year-old Malhar Rao Holkar III became ruler after Yashwantrao Holkar. His mother, Tulsabai Holkar, managed the government. Some people plotted to imprison Tulsabai and Malharrao. When Tulsabai found out, she had them executed in 1815. She then appointed Tantia Jog to help with the administration.
Because of this, Gaffur Khan Pindari secretly signed a treaty with the British. This happened on November 9, 1817. He then killed Tulsabai on December 19, 1817.
The main treaty was signed on January 6, 1818, at Mandsaur. Bhimabai Holkar did not accept this treaty. She continued to fight the British using guerrilla tactics. Years later, during the Indian Rebellion of 1857, Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi was inspired by Bhimabai Holkar. She also fought bravely against the British. After the Third Anglo-Maratha War, the Holkars lost much of their land to the British. Their state became a princely state under the British Raj. The capital was moved from Bhanpura to Indore.
Indore as a Princely State
Malharrao Holkar III entered Indore on November 2, 1818. Tantia Jog was appointed as his Diwan (chief minister) because Malharrao was still a child. The old palace had been destroyed, so a new one was built. Malharrao III was followed by Marthand Rao Holkar. He became ruler on January 17, 1834.
He was replaced by Hari Rao Holkar, who was Yashwantrao's nephew. Hari Rao became ruler on April 17, 1834. He adopted Khande Rao Holkar II on July 2, 1841. Hari Rao died on October 24, 1843. Khanderao officially became ruler on November 13, 1843. However, he died suddenly on February 17, 1844.
Tukojirao Holkar II (1835–1886) was placed on the throne on June 27, 1844. During the Indian Rebellion of 1857, he supported the British East India Company. In October 1872, he appointed T. Madhava Rao as the Diwan of Indore. He died on June 17, 1886. His oldest son, Shivajirao Holkar, became the next ruler.
Yashwantrao Holkar II (ruled 1926–1948) was the last ruler of Indore state. He ruled until shortly after India became independent in 1947. He then joined the Union of India. Indore became a district of the Madhya Bharat state. This state later joined Madhya Pradesh state in 1956.
Holkar Maharajas of Indore
- Malhar Rao Holkar I (ruled November 2, 1731 – May 20, 1766). Born March 16, 1693, died May 20, 1766.
- Male Rao Holkar (ruled August 23, 1766 – April 5, 1767). Born 1745, died April 5, 1767.
- Ahilya Bai Holkar (first as a regent on May 26, 1766) (ruled March 27, 1767 – August 13, 1795). Born 1725, died August 13, 1795.
- Tukoji Rao Holkar I (ruled August 13, 1795 – January 29, 1797). Born 1723, died August 15, 1797.
- Kashi Rao Holkar (ruled January 29, 1797 – January 1799) Born before 1776, died 1808.
- Khande Rao Holkar (ruled January 1799 – February 22, 1807) Born in 1798, died 1807.
- Yashwant Rao Holkar I (first as a regent from 1799) (ruled 1807 – October 27, 1811). Born 1776, died October 27, 1811.
- Malhar Rao Holkar III (ruled October 27, 1811 – October 27, 1833) Born 1806, died October 27, 1833.
- Marthand Rao Holkar (ruled January 17, 1833 – February 2, 1834). Born 1830, died June 2, 1849.
- Hari Rao Holkar (ruled April 17, 1834 – October 24, 1843). Born 1795, died October 24, 1843.
- Khande Rao Holkar II (ruled November 13, 1843 – February 17, 1844). Born 1828, died March 17, 1844.
- Tukoji Rao Holkar II (ruled June 27, 1844 – June 17, 1886). Born May 3, 1835, died June 17, 1886.
- Shivaji Rao Holkar (ruled June 17, 1886 – January 31, 1903). Born November 11, 1859, died October 13, 1908.
- Tukoji Rao Holkar III (ruled January 31, 1903 – February 26, 1926). Born November 26, 1890, died May 21, 1978.
- Yashwant Rao Holkar II (ruled February 26, 1926 – 1948). Born September 6, 1908, died December 5, 1961.
On April 22, 1948, the Maharaja of Indore signed an agreement. This agreement was with the rulers of nearby princely states. They formed a new state called Madhya Bharat. Madhya Bharat was created on May 28, 1948. On June 16, 1948, the princely state of Indore merged with the newly independent Indian states.
Images for kids
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Shrimant Bhushansinh Raje Holkar celebrating the titular coronation of Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar on January 6 at Fort Wafgaon (Maharashtra)
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Tukojirao Holkar II, Indore, from a drawing by Mr. W. Carpenter, Jun.," from the Illustrated London News, 1857
