2025 - Lokmata Devi Ahilyabai Holkar | Commemorative Coin

The 10th commemorative coin of 2025 was released to mark the 300th Birth Anniversary of Ahilyabai Holkar. This release marked the first-ever coin with a ₹300 denomination in the history of Republic India’s coinage.

Ahilyabai Holkar was one of the most revered and visionary rulers in Indian history, remembered for her deep sense of justice, piety, and administrative acumen. Born on May 31, 1725, in the village of Chondi in present-day Maharashtra, she rose from humble beginnings to become the queen of the Malwa kingdom, a feat that defied the social norms of her time. Married to Khanderao Holkar, son of Malhar Rao Holkar of the Holkar dynasty, her life took a turn when both her husband and later her father-in-law passed away. Despite societal resistance, she ascended to the throne with the support of the people and courtiers, ruling the region from 1767 to 1795 with great wisdom and benevolence.

Ahilyabai’s reign was marked by peace, prosperity, and a deep commitment to the welfare of her subjects. She was known for her fair governance and efforts to strengthen the economy, agriculture, and infrastructure of the Malwa region. Her administrative style combined discipline with compassion, earning her the love and respect of her people. She encouraged trade, built roads, and ensured law and order in her kingdom, which became a haven of stability in a time of political turmoil in other parts of India. She held daily audiences with her subjects to personally hear their grievances and provide swift justice.

A devout and spiritual ruler, Ahilyabai Holkar is especially remembered for her extensive contributions to temple architecture and religious philanthropy. She commissioned the construction and renovation of hundreds of temples, dharamshalas, ghats, and wells across India, from Kashi and Somnath to Rameswaram and Dwarka. The famous Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi owes its restoration to her patronage. Despite being a powerful monarch, she lived a simple and disciplined life, devoting her days to prayer, administration, and public service. Her devotion was not limited to religion but extended to her deep sense of duty toward uplifting the downtrodden and preserving cultural heritage.

Ahilyabai Holkar passed away on August 13, 1795, but her legacy endures as a symbol of ideal leadership, devotion, and service. Her life continues to inspire generations, and she is remembered not just as a queen, but as a guardian of dharma and a mother to her people. Her statues, commemorations, and the respect she commands across communities are testaments to a ruler whose greatness was rooted not in conquest, but in compassion.

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