PM Modi Honours Ahilyabai Holkar: Legacy, Women's Empowerment & Operation Sindoor Highlights

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Ahilyabai Holkar 300th Anniversary Latest News

On the 300th birth anniversary of Lokmata Devi Ahilyabai Holkar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Mahila Sashaktikaran Mahasammelan in Bhopal.
Honoring Ahilyabai’s legacy of public service, he highlighted her relevance in nation-building. On this occasion, PM Modi released a commemorative postage stamp and a special coin dedicated to Lokmata Devi Ahilyabai. The Rs 300 coin will feature a portrait of Ahilyabai Holkar.
He also presented the National Devi Ahilyabai Award to a woman artist for contribution in tribal, folk, and traditional arts.

Early Life and Marriage
- Born on May 31, 1725, in Chondi village, Ahmednagar, Ahilyabai was the daughter of village head Mankoji Shinde, who ensured she received an education—a rarity for girls at the time.
- At the age of eight, she was noticed by Malhar Rao Holkar and later married his son, Khande Rao Holkar.
Rise to Power
- After her husband’s death in the Battle of Kumbher in 1754, and later the deaths of her father-in-law and son, Ahilyabai successfully petitioned the Peshwa to become ruler of Malwa in 1765, backed by her army.
Administrative Excellence and Peaceful Rule
- Jawaharlal Nehru and other historians lauded her 30-year reign (1765–1795) for its stability, prosperity, and effective governance.
- Malwa, under her rule, remained untouched by the frequent conflicts in Central India.
Cultural and Religious Contributions
- Ahilyabai transformed Maheshwar into a cultural hub, promoting literature, music, arts, and textiles—including the renowned Maheshwari saris.
- She was instrumental in rebuilding major temples, notably the Kashi Vishwanath temple in 1780, and supported infrastructure such as rest houses and public ghats at various pilgrimage sites.
Legacy
- Ahilyabai Holkar is remembered as a just and enlightened ruler who defied societal norms and led with compassion, vision, and strength.

This speech not only celebrated the historic contributions of Devi Ahilyabai Holkar but positioned her legacy as a foundation for India’s modern-day push toward women-led development, national pride, and inclusive growth.
It tied together cultural reverence, political empowerment, economic opportunity, and national defense into a single vision of empowered womanhood—Nari Shakti—as the driving force of New India.

Pioneered widow remarriage, raised the minimum age of marriage, and secured women’s property rights.
Formed women’s safety groups and a special women’s unit in the Malwa army.
Advocated economic self-reliance through agriculture, handicrafts, and water conservation.

Over 4 crore houses built, largely registered in women’s names.
Improved access to electricity, LPG, water, sanitation, and healthcare via schemes like Ayushman Bharat.
Mudra Yojana and Self Help Groups (SHGs) have economically empowered crores of women.
Aiming to create 3 crore ‘Lakhpati Didis’; already 1.5 crore have achieved that goal.

Highlighted initiatives like Drone Didi, where women lead agri-tech changes.
Recognized women’s increasing roles in STEM, including the Chandrayaan-3 mission.
Noted that 45% of Indian startups have at least one-woman director.

Women now occupy top roles: India has had a full-time woman Defence Minister and Finance Minister.
Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam passed, ensuring women’s reservation in Parliament and State Assemblies.
75 women MPs currently serve in the Lok Sabha.

Described Operation Sindoor as the largest and most successful counter-terrorism operation in Indian history.
Women from BSF and other forces played vital roles.