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{{Short description|Indian dynasty of Indore (1731–1948)}}
{{About|the dynasty|other uses|Holkar (disambiguation)}}
{{pp-extended|small=yes}}
{{more footnotes needed|date=April 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2024}}
{{Infobox former monarchy
| royal_title = Holkar Maharaja
| border =
| realm = Indore
| image2 = Flag of Indore.svg
| caption2 = Flag of Indore
| coatofarms = Arms of the Indore State, 1908.jpg
| coatofarmssize = 150px
| coatofarmscaption = Coat of arms of Indore State
| image =
| caption =
| first_monarch = [[Malhar Rao Holkar]] I
| last_monarch = [[Yashwantrao Holkar II]]
| style =
| residence = [[Rajwada]], [[Indore]]
| appointer =
| began = 2 November 1731
| ended = 26 June 1948
| pretender =
}}
The '''Holkars''' (pronunciation: [[Help:IPA/Marathi|[ɦo(ː)ɭkəɾ]]]) were the ruling house of the [[Indore State]] of the [[Maratha Confederacy]], and earlier held the rank of [[Subahdar]] under Peshwa [[Baji Rao I]] of the [[Maratha Empire]]. When the Maratha Confederacy began to weaken due to internal clashes, the Holkars declared themselves the rulers of [[Indore State|Indore]] in Central [[India]], existing as an autonomous member of the [[Maratha Confederacy]] until 1818. Later, their kingdom became a [[princely state]] under the British protection.

[[Usha Raje|Usha Devi Holkar]], 15th Maharani of Indore, is the current titular head.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.indianrajputs.com/view/indore | title=Indore (Princely State) | date=20 October 1933 }}</ref>

== Rise of Holkar as Subahdar==
[[File:Maheshwar Fort - Exterior 03.jpg|thumb|left|Fort Ahilya in [[Maheshwar]]]]
[[File:Ahilya Mata Statue at Datta Temple, Sahastra Dhara, Jalkoti.jpg|thumb|upright|A Statue of [[Ahilyabai Holkar]] at Datta Temple]][[File:Indore Rajwada01.jpg|left|thumb|The gate of [[Rajwada]], royal palace of the Holkar dynasty, [[Indore]]]]The Holkars were of [[Dhangar]] [[Maratha (caste)|Maratha]] origin.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cGd2huLXEVYC&pg=PA200|title=A Social History of the Deccan, 1300-1761: Eight Indian Lives, Volume 1|author=Richard M. Eaton|date=17 November 2005|publisher=Cambridge University Press|page=200|isbn=9780521254847|quote=For example, Malhar Rao Holkar, who led successful expeditions north of the Narmada river between the 1720s and 1760s, became celebrated as a great Maratha, even an arch-Maratha, although he had come from a community of Dhangars...}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/columbiachronolo00john|url-access=registration|page=[https://archive.org/details/columbiachronolo00john/page/285 285]| editor=John Stewart Bowman|title=Columbia Chronologies of Asian History and Culture|year=2000|publisher=Columbia University Press}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OT9uAAAAMAAJ|title=Studies in history of the Deccan: medieval and modern : Professor A.R. Kulkarni felicitation volume|editor1=Aniruddha Ray|editor2= Kuzhippalli Skaria Mathew|publisher=Pragati Publications|date= 1 November 2002|isbn=9788173070754|quote=The Maratha Holkar clan had established its stronghold in Indore and Holkar affairs in 1795 were managed by Ahalya Bai Holkar, widow of the founder of the Holkar clan, together with Tukoji Holkar, a cousin}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/studentsbritanni03hoib|url-access=registration|quote=holkar maratha clan.|title=Students' Britannica India: I to M (Iblis to Mira Bai)|first1=Dale|last1=Hoiberg|first2=Indu|last2=Ramchandani|date=1 January 2000|publisher=Encyclopaedia Britannica (India)|access-date=3 March 2017|via=Internet Archive}}</ref>
[[Malhar Rao Holkar]] (1694–1766), was born in Murum in [[Satara district]] in a [[Dhangar|Dhangar]] family and was a Maratha chief serving under [[Bajirao I]], was given the area of [[Indore State|Indore]] to look after by Bajirao 1,the Peshwa of [[Shahu I]]. In the 1720s, he led [[Maratha Army|Maratha armies]] in the [[Malwa]] region under the Peshwa Bajirao, and in 1733 was granted 9 [[pargana]]s in the vicinity of [[Indore]] by the Peshwas. The township of Indore already existed as an independent principality established by [[Rao Nandlal Chaudhary|Nandlal Mandloi]] of [[Kampel, Indore|Kampel]]. [[Rao Nandlal Chaudhary|Nandlal Mandloi]] was won over by the Maratha forces and he allowed them to camp across the Khan River. In 1734, Malhar Rao established a camp later called Malharganj. In 1747, he began construction of his royal palace, the [[Rajwada]]. By the time of his death, he looked after much of Malwa for the Maratha Empire controlled by their lords Peshwas, and was acknowledged as one of the five houses of the [[Maratha Empire]].{{citation needed|date=July 2023}}

He was succeeded by [[Ahilyabai Holkar]] (r. 1767–1795), his daughter-in-law. She was born in the Chaundi village in [[Maharashtra]]. She moved the capital to [[Maheshwar]], south of Indore on the [[Narmada River]]. ''Rani'' Ahilyabai was a prolific builder and patron of [[Hindu]] temples in Maheshwar and Indore. She also built temples at sacred sites outside her kingdom, from [[Dwarka]] in [[Gujarat]] east to the [[Kashi Vishwanath Temple]] at [[Varanasi]] on the [[Ganges]].{{citation needed|date=July 2023}}

The adopted son of Malhar Rao Holkar, [[Tukoji Rao Holkar]] (r. 1795–1797) briefly succeeded Rani Ahilyabai upon her death. Tukoji Rao had been a commander under Ahilyabai for her entire rule.{{citation needed|date=July 2023}}

==The fall of the Maratha Empire==
[[File:Maharaja_Yashwantrao_Holkar_1.jpg|thumb|left|upright|[[Yashwantrao Holkar]].]]
His son [[Yashwantrao Holkar]] (r. 1797–1811) (also called as Jaswant Rao) succeeded Tukoji Rao Holkar upon his death. He tried to free the Delhi [[Mughal emperors|Mughal Emperor]] [[Shah Alam II]] from the British in the unsuccessful [[Second Anglo-Maratha War]]. The grateful Shah Alam gave him the title of ''Maharajadiraj Rajrajeshwar Alija Bahadur'' in honor of his bravery.{{citation needed|date=July 2023}}

[[File:Tookajee Rao Holkar.jpg|thumb|Tukojirao Holkar II, Indore, from a drawing by Mr. W. Carpenter, Jun.," from the Illustrated London News, 1857]]
Attempts by Yashwantrao Holkar to unite the kings failed, and he was approached to sign a peace treaty with the British. The Treaty of Rajghat, signed late December 1805, recognised him as a sovereign king.{{citation needed|date=July 2023}}

==Battle of Mahidpur==
[[File:Tukojirao III Maharaja Holkar of Indore.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Tukojirao Holkar III]] Maharaja Holkar of Indore]]
In 1811, the four-year-old [[Malhar Rao Holkar III]] succeeded Yashwantrao Holkar. His mother, Tulsabai Holkar, looked after the administration. However, with the help of [[Pashtun people|Pathans]], [[Pindaris]], and the British, Dharama Kunwar and Balaram Seth plotted to imprison Tulsabai and Malharrao.{{Citation needed|date=July 2010}} When Tulsabai learnt about this, she beheaded both of them in 1815 and appointed Tantia Jog. As a result, Gaffur Khan Pindari secretly signed a treaty with the British on 9 November 1817 and killed Tulsabai on 19 December 1817.{{citation needed|date=July 2023}}

The treaty was signed on 6 January 1818 at [[Mandsaur]]. Bhimabai Holkar did not accept the treaty, and kept attacking the British by guerilla methods. Years later, in revolt of 1857, [[Rani Lakshmibai]] of Jhansi took inspiration from Bhimabai Holkar and also fought against the British. At the conclusion of the [[Third Anglo-Maratha War]], the Holkars lost much of their territory to the British and were incorporated into the [[British Raj]] as a [[princely state]] of the [[Central India Agency]]. The capital was shifted from Bhanpura to Indore.{{citation needed|date=July 2023}}

==Princely state==
{{main|Indore State}}

[[File:ShivajiRaoHolkarCoin.jpg|thumb|left|A silver rupee of Shivajirao Holkar 1886–1903, minted at Indore in [[Vikram Samvat]] 1948 (1891)]]
Malharrao Holkar III entered Indore on 2 November 1818. Tantia Jog was appointed his [[Diwan (title)|Diwan]] as he was a minor. As the old palace had been destroyed by the army of Daulat Rao Scindia, a new palace was constructed in its place. Malharrao III was succeeded by [[Marthand Rao Holkar]], who formally ascended to the throne on 17 January 1834. He was replaced by [[Hari Rao Holkar]], nephew of Yashwantrao, who ascended to the throne on 17 April 1834. He adopted [[Khande Rao Holkar II]] on 2 July 1841 and died on 24 October 1843. Khanderao was formally installed as the ruler on 13 November 1843, but he suddenly died on 17 February 1844. [[Tukojirao Holkar II]] (1835–1886) was installed on the throne on 27 June 1844. During the [[Indian Rebellion of 1857]], he was loyal to the [[British East India Company]]. In October 1872, he appointed [[T. Madhava Rao]] as the ''Diwan'' of Indore. He died on 17 June 1886 and was succeeded by his eldest son, [[Shivajirao Holkar]].{{citation needed|date=July 2023}}

[[Yashwantrao Holkar II]] (reigned 1926–1948) ruled Indore state until shortly after India's independence in 1947, when he acceded to the Union of India. [[Indore]] became a district of [[Madhya Bharat]] state, which was merged into [[Madhya Pradesh]] state in 1956.{{citation needed|date=July 2023}}

==Holkar Maharajah's of Indore==
# [[Malhar Rao Holkar]] I (r. 2 November 1731 – 20 May 1766). Born 16 March 1693, died 20 May 1766
# [[Male Rao Holkar]] (r. 20 May 1766 – 5 April 1767). Born 1745, died 5 April 1767
# [[Ahilyabai Holkar|Ahilya Bai Holkar]] (first as a regent on 20 May 1766) (r. 27 March 1767 – 13 August 1795). Born 1725, died 13 August 1795
# [[Tukoji Rao Holkar|Tukoji Rao Holkar I]] (r. 13 August 1795 – 29 January 1797). Born 1723, died 15 August 1797
# [[Kashi Rao Holkar]] (r. 29 January 1797 – January 1799) Born before 1776, died 1808
# [[Khande Rao Holkar]] (r. January 1799 – 22 February 1807) Born in 1798, died 1807
# [[Yashwantrao Holkar|Yashwant Rao Holkar I]] (first as a regent from 1799) (r. 1807 – 27 October 1811). Born 1776, died 27 October 1811
# [[Malhar Rao Holkar III]] (r. 27 October 1811 – 27 October 1833) Born 1806, died 27 October 1833
# [[Marthand Rao Holkar]] (r. 17 January 1833 – 2 February 1834). Born 1830, died 2 June 1849
# [[Hari Rao Holkar]] (r. 17 April 1834 – 24 October 1843). Born 1795, died 24 October 1843
# [[Khande Rao Holkar II]] (r. 13 November 1843 – 17 February 1844). Born 1828, died 17 March 1844
# [[Tukojirao Holkar II|Tukoji Rao Holkar II]] (r. 27 June 1844 – 17 June 1886). Born 3 May 1835, died 17 June 1886
# [[Shivajirao Holkar|Shivaji Rao Holkar]] (r. 17 June 1886 – 31 January 1903). Born 11 November 1859, died 13 October 1908
# [[Tukojirao Holkar III|Tukoji Rao Holkar III]] (r. 31 January 1903 – 26 February 1926). Born 26 November 1890, died 21 May 1978
# [[Yashwantrao Holkar II|Yashwant Rao Holkar II]] (r. 26 February 1926 – 1948). Born 6 September 1908, died 5 December 1961

On 22 April 1948 Yashwantrao Holkar II signed a covenant with the rulers of the adjoining princely states to form a new state known as Madhya Bharat. [[Madhya Bharat]] was created on 28 May 1948. On 16 June 1948, the princely state of Indore, which the House of Holkar ruled, merged with the newly independent Indian states.

== Family tree ==

{{Chart top|width=100%|collapsed=no|Holkar dynasty and the Family tree of the Maharajas of Indore}}

{{Tree chart/start|align=center|style=font-size:90%}}

{{legend-line|black solid 2px|Biological Child}}

{{legend-line|black dotted 2px|Adopted Child}}

{{Tree chart|border=1| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |}}

{{Tree chart|border=1| |,|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|.| | | | | | | | | | | | | |}}

{{Tree chart|border=1|A01 | | | | | |A02 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
A01='''[[Malhar Rao Holkar|Malhar Rao I]]''' (1) r. 1731-1766|boxstyle_A01=border-color:#FF4500|
A02=Sibling of Malhar Rao}}

{{Tree chart|border=1| |o|P|P|P|P|P|T| |!| | | | | | | | | | | | | |}}

{{Tree chart|border=1|A01 |y|A02 |Q|A03 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
A01=[[Khanderao Holkar|Khande Rao Holkar]]|
A02='''[[Ahilyabai Holkar|Ahilya Bai]]''' (3) r. 1767-1795|boxstyle_A02=border-color:#FF4500|
A03=Tanuji Holkar}}

{{Tree chart|border=1| | | |!| | | |Y|T|!| | | | | | | | | | | | | |}}

{{Tree chart|border=1| | |A01 | | | |A02 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
A01='''[[Male Rao Holkar|Male Rao]]''' (2) r. 1766-1767|boxstyle_A01=border-color:#FF4500|
A02='''[[Tukoji Rao Holkar|Tukoji Rao I]]''' (4) r. 1795-1797|boxstyle_A02=border-color:#FF4500}}

{{Tree chart|border=1| |,|-|-|-|v|-|-|-|+|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|.| |}}

{{Tree chart|border=1|A01 | |A02 | |A03 |y|A04 | | | | | |A05 |
A01='''[[Kashi Rao Holkar|Kashi Rao]]''' (5) r. 1797-1799|boxstyle_A01=border-color:#FF4500|
A02=[[Vithoji Rao Holkar|Vithoji Rao Holkar]]|
A03='''[[Yashwantrao Holkar|Yashwant Rao I]]''' (7) r. 1807-1811|boxstyle_A03=border-color:#FF4500|
A04=[[Maji Keshri Bai|Krishna Bai]]|
A05=Malhar Rao II}}

{{Tree chart|border=1| | | | | |!| | | |,|-|'| |Y|P|M|P|T| | | |!| |}}

{{Tree chart|border=1| | | | |A01 | |A02 |~|A03 |Q|A04 | |A05 |
A01='''[[Hari Rao Holkar|Hari Rao]]''' (10) r. 1834-1843|boxstyle_A01=border-color:#FF4500|
A02='''[[Malhar Rao Holkar III|Malhar Rao III]]''' (8) r. 1811-1833|boxstyle_A02=border-color:#FF4500|
A03='''[[Tukojirao Holkar II|Tukoji Rao II]]''' (12) r. 1844-1886|boxstyle_A04=border-color:#FF4500|
A05='''[[Khande Rao Holkar|Khande Rao I]]''' (6) r. 1799-1807|boxstyle_A05=border-color:#FF4500}}

{{Tree chart|border=1| | | | | |Q| | | | | | | |Q|S|Z| |!| | | | | |}}

{{Tree chart|border=1| | | | |A01 | | | | | |A02 | |A03 | | | | |
A01='''[[Khande Rao Holkar II|Khande Rao II]]''' (11) r. 1843-1844|boxstyle_A01=border-color:#FF4500|
A02='''[[Marthand Rao Holkar|Marthand Rao]]''' (9) r. 1833-1834|boxstyle_A02=border-color:#FF4500|
A03='''[[Shivajirao Holkar|Shivaji Rao]]''' (13) r. 1886-1903|boxstyle_A03=border-color:#FF4500|}}

{{Tree chart|border=1| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |!| | | | | |}}

{{Tree chart|border=1| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |A01 | | | | |
A01='''[[Tukojirao Holkar III|Tukoji Rao III]]''' (14) r. 1903-1926|boxstyle_A01=border-color:#FF4500}}

{{Tree chart|border=1| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |!| | | | | |}}

{{Tree chart|border=1| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |A01 | | | | |
A01='''[[Yashwant Rao Holkar II|Yashwant Rao II]]''' (15) r. 1926-1948 – Titular – 1948-1961|boxstyle_A01=border-color:#FF4500}}

{{Tree chart|border=1| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |!| | | | | |}}

{{Tree chart|border=1| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |A01 | | | | |
A01='''Usha Devi''' (16) – Titular – 1961-present|boxstyle_A01=border-color:#FF4500}}

{{Tree chart/end}}

{{Chart bottom}}

==See also==
* [[List of Maratha dynasties and states]]

==Notes==
{{Reflist}}

==References==
*Sethi, P.K., S.K. Bhatt and R. Holkar (1976). ''A Study of Holkar State Coinage'', Indore: The Academy of Indian Numismatics and Sigillography.
*[[Somerset Playne]] (compiler), R. V. Solomon, J. W. Bond, [[Arnold Wright]] (1922). ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=riBJH0J1FR0C Indian States: A Biographical, Historical, and Administrative Survey]'', London: Foreign and Colonial Compiling and Publishing Co., 1922 (also Asian Educational Services, 2006, {{ISBN|81-206-1965-X}}, 9788120619654, 835 pages

==External links==
{{commons category|Holkar}}
* {{cite web| title = Holkars of Indore| publisher = Indore District website| url = http://www.indore.nic.in/holkar.htm| url-status=dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131030213114/http://www.indore.nic.in/holkar.htm| archive-date = 30 October 2013| df = dmy-all}}
*[http://www.worldstatesmen.org/India_princes_A-J.html WorldStatesmen- India]

{{MarathaEmpire}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Holkar| ]]
[[Category:Dynasties of India]]
[[Category:Maratha Empire]]
[[Category:History of Malwa]]
[[Category:History of Indore]]
[[Category:Dhangar clans]]
[[Category:Hindu dynasties]]

House of Holkar - Revision history

ShaneraDeF at 11:25, 26 April 2026