A look at Malik Ahmed and Ahilyabai Holkar

Subject: History

Context:

The Maharashtra Education Minister has sought a proposal from the district administration to rename the Western Maharashtra city of Ahmednagar as ‘PunyashlokAhilyadevi Nagar’, after the 18th century Malwa queen, Ahilyabai Holkar.

Details:

In August this year, the Maharashtra Assembly unanimously passed two separate resolutions to send a proposal to rename Aurangabad as Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar and rename Osmanabad as Dharashiv.

What is the procedure of renaming a city?

The task of renaming a city is given to the State Legislators.
The procedure differs from state to state but the regulations remain the same.
The first step involves raising a request in the form of a resolution by any MLA, which proposes the renaming of any particular city or street.
On the basis of the request of the MLA, the issue would be deliberated upon and the consequences of the same shall be discussed upon.
The final step involves voting on the validity of the resolution.
If a simple majority is attained in favour of the resolution, the said resolution shall be declared passed.
The State Legislation on the basis of the majority view shall make the necessary changes in the name of the state or city public.
The proposal will go to the Centre for approval before the city is officially renamed.

Historical significance of Ahmednagar:

Ahmednagar lies in the Western region of Maharashtra.
According to the district’s official website, it has been a part of some prominent kingdoms, starting from 240B.C. when the vicinity is mentioned in the reference to the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka.
The Rashtrakuta Dynasty, the Western Chalukyas, and then the Delhi Sultanate ruled over the region in the Mediaeval period.
In the last case, the rule was not direct, and a revolt by Afghan soldier Alladin Hasan Gangu led to the establishment of the Bahmani kingdom in the Deccan.

How did the city of Ahmednagar first get its name?

After some time, Ahmednagar (then known as Nizamshahi) became one of the five independent kingdoms to emerge from that empire.
In 1486,Malik Ahmad Nizam Shah became the Bahmani Sultanate’s Prime Minister.
He fought back an attempt by the king to dislodge him from power, and defeated the army of the Bahamani kingdom near Ahmednagar in May 1490.
Finally, in 1494 he laid the foundation of a city close to where he defeated the army, on the left bank of Sina river, and named it after himself: Ahmednagar.

Hindu origin of Nizam shah:

Jawaharlal Nehru, in his book A Discovery of India (1946), wrote of him, “Ahmad Nizam Shah, the founder of Ahmadnagar in 1490, was the son of Nizam-ul-Mulk Bhairi, a minister of the Bahmani kings.
This Nizam-ul-Mulk was the son of a Brahmin accountant named Bhairu. Thus the Ahmednagar dynasty was of indigenous origin.”
Nizam Shah also later captured the fort of Daulatabad and stationed his army there.
By his kindness, peaceful demeanour & efficiency, he could win the loyalty of the local and foreign Muslims and also of the Maratha peasants and worriers.
Since his origin was Hindu, he found no difficulty in winning over the confidence of Brahmins, who were highly regarded by the Hindus.

Who was Ahilyabai Holkar?

Born in Chondi village of Ahmednagar to the village head Mankoji Shinde, on May 31, 1725, Ahilyabaiwas one of the few women rulers of Medieval India.
While the education of girls and women was rare at that time, Mankojiinsisted on it for his daughter.
When she was eight years old, Malhar Rao Holkar, the army commander to Peshwa Bajirao, is believed to have spotted her at a temple service in Chondi.
Impressed by her devotion and character, he decided to get his son, Khande Rao, married to her.
Ahilyabaitook control of Malwa after her husband’s death in the Battle of Kumbheragainst the king of Bharatpur in 1754.
She established Maheshwar (in Madhya Pradesh) as the seat of the Holkar Dynasty.
She defended the Malwa state against intruders and personally led armies into battle, with Tukoji Rao Holkar as her military commander.

Role in administration and temple-building:

Nehru described Holkar’s rule, which lasted for thirty years (1765-1795), as “almost legendary as a period during which perfect order and good government prevailed and the people prospered. She was a very able ruler and organiser, highly respected during her lifetime.”
Under her rule, Malwa remained an oasis of stability and peace.
Under Holkar, the city of Maheshwar became a literary, musical, artistic and industrial centre, and she helped establish a textile industry there, which is now home to the famous Maheshwari sarees.
In 1780, she had the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi rebuilt, nearly a century after Mughal king Aurangzeb ordered its destruction.
Apart from holy sites like Badrinath, Dwarka, Omkareshwari, Gaya, and Rameswaram, Holkar also supported the construction of resting lodges for travellers, and of public ghats.
In 1783Maharani Ahalyabai Holkarof Indore built another Somnath temple next to the original site, which was in serious disrepair.