PM to attend 300th birth anniversary celebrations of Ahilyabai Holkar, Pg2

Key Highlights:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi to preside over 300th birth anniversary celebrations of Ahilyabai Holkar in Bhopal.

• Event jointly organized by the Union Ministry of Culture and Government of Madhya Pradesh.

• Ahilyabai Holkar is remembered for her women-centric policies and strong administrative leadership.

• PM to release a commemorative coin and stamp in her honour.

• Emphasis on cultural revival and heritage preservation through government commemoration.

Key Contributions of Ahilyabai Holkar:

• Temple Reconstruction: Rebuilt the Kashi Vishvanath Temple in Varanasi and the Somnath Temple in Gujarat, which had been destroyed multiple times by foreign invaders. These temples are among the twelve Jyotirlingas, revered in Shaivism.

• Patron of Arts: Supported Sanskrit scholar Khushali Ram, and Marathi poets like Moropant (known for political commentaries on the Ramayana and Mahabharata).

• Social Development: Promoted women’s education, widow remarriage, opposed Sati and Untouchability, and worked to integrate Bhil and Gond tribes into the mainstream.

• Economic Reforms: Implemented a well-structured tax system, and developed Indore and Maheshwar as trade hubs. She notably supported the Maheshwari weaving industry, now protected under Geographical Indications (GI) as a handicraft.

Mains Mock Question:

Ahilyabai Holkar is remembered not only as a ruler but as a reformer and cultural patron. Discuss her contributions to Indian society and their relevance in the present day.