Malhar Rao Holkar - Revision history

AnnettLevi9 at 22:20, 21 March 2026

2026-03-21T22:20:36Z

->Kaushalsinghdhangar: Small Details describe

2022-01-03T11:45:36Z

Small Details describe

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:15, 3 January 2022
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	{{Short description\|~~Subedar~~ of ~~Malwa Province in Maratha Empire~~}}		{{Short description\|First Maharaja of Indore from 1731–1766}}
	{{Use dmy dates\|date=December 2013}}		{{Use dmy dates\|date=December 2013}}
	{{Infobox military person		{{Infobox military person
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	\| name = Malhar Rao		\| name = Malhar Rao
	\| honorific_suffix = [[Holkar]]		\| honorific_suffix = [[Holkar]]
	\| image = ~~Geivkvdkg~~.jpg		\| image = Malhar Rao Holkar contemporary.jpg
	\| caption =		\| image_size = 250px
	\| birth_date = {{Birth date\|~~1694~~\|3\|16\|df=y}}		\| caption = ''Malhar Rao Holkar'', Contemporary Painting {{circa\|1770}} from Bundi, Rajasthan
			\| birth_date = {{Birth date\|1693\|3\|16\|df=y}}
	\| death_date = {{Death date and age\|1766\|5\|20\|1693\|3\|16\|df=yes}}		\| death_date = {{Death date and age\|1766\|5\|20\|1693\|3\|16\|df=yes}}
	\| birth_place = [[Jejuri, Pune District]]		\| birth_place = [[Jejuri, Pune District]]
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	\| battles =		\| battles =
	\| awards =		\| awards =
	\| spouse = Gautama Bai Sahib Holkar<br />Bana Bai Sahib Holkar<br />Dwarka Bai Sahib Holkar<br />~~Harku~~ Bai Sahib Holkar<br />		\| spouse = Gautama Bai Sahib Holkar<br />Bana Bai Sahib Holkar<br />Dwarka Bai Sahib Holkar<br />Harkuwar Bai Sahib Holkar<br />
	\| relations = {{ubl\|[[Khanderao Holkar]] (son)		\| relations = {{ubl\|[[Khanderao Holkar]] (son)
	\|[[Ahilyabai Holkar]] (daughter-in-law)		\|[[Ahilyabai Holkar]] (daughter-in-law)
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	}}		}}

	'''Malhar Rao Holkar''' (16 March ~~1694~~ – 20 May 1766) was a noble [[subedar]] of the [[Maratha Empire]], in present-day India. He was one of the early officers along with [[Ranoji Sindhia]] to help spread the Maratha rule to northern states and was given the estate of Indore to rule by the [[Peshwa]]s, during the reign of the Maratha Emperor [[Shahu I]].		'''Malhar Rao Holkar''' (16 March 1693 – 20 May 1766) was a noble [[subedar]] of the [[Maratha Empire]], in present-day India. He was one of the early officers along with [[Ranoji Sindhia]] to help spread the Maratha rule to northern states and was given the estate of Indore to rule by the [[Peshwa]]s, during the reign of the Maratha Emperor [[Shahu I]].

	==Early life==		==Early life==

	Malhar Rao Holkar was from the [[Dhangar]] community.<ref>{{cite book \|title=The Indian Princes and their States \|series=The New Cambridge History of India \|first=Barbara N. \|last=Ramusack \|author-link=Barbara Ramusack \|publisher=Cambridge University Press \|year=2004 \|isbn=9781139449083 \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Kz1-mtazYqEC&pg=PA35 \|page=35}}</ref><ref name="Jones">{{cite book\|url=https://archive.org/details/urbanpoliticsini0000jone \|url-access=registration \|title=Urban Politics in India: Area, Power, and Policy in a Penetrated System \|year=1974 \|first=Rodney W. \|last=Jones \|publisher=University of California Press \|page=[https://archive.org/details/urbanpoliticsini0000jone/page/25 25]}}</ref> He was born on 16 March ~~1693~~ in the village of Hol, near [[Jejuri, Pune District]] to Khanduji Holkar of Vir. His father died in 1696, when he was only three years of age. Malhar Rao grew up in [[Taloda]] (Nandurbar District, ~~Khandesh~~) in the castle of his maternal uncle, Sardar Bhojrajrao Bargal. His maternal uncle held a cavalry under [[Maratha]] noble Sardar Kadam Bande. Bargal asked Malhar Rao to join his cavalry and soon after that he was placed in-charge of cavalry detachment.<ref>{{cite book \|title=Indian States: A Biographical, Historical, and Administrative Survey\|first1=R. V.\| last1=Solomon \|first2=J. W. \|last2=Bond \|publisher=Asian Educational Services \|year=2006 \|isbn=9788120619654 \|url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Indian_States/47sfj8DUwNgC?hl=en&gbpv=0 \|page=70}}</ref>		Malhar Rao Holkar was from the [[Dhangar]] (Gadariya) community.<ref>{{cite book \|title=The Indian Princes and their States \|series=The New Cambridge History of India \|first=Barbara N. \|last=Ramusack \|author-link=Barbara Ramusack \|publisher=Cambridge University Press \|year=2004 \|isbn=9781139449083 \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Kz1-mtazYqEC&pg=PA35 \|page=35}}</ref><ref name="Jones">{{cite book\|url=https://archive.org/details/urbanpoliticsini0000jone \|url-access=registration \|title=Urban Politics in India: Area, Power, and Policy in a Penetrated System \|year=1974 \|first=Rodney W. \|last=Jones \|publisher=University of California Press \|page=[https://archive.org/details/urbanpoliticsini0000jone/page/25 25]}}</ref> He was born on 16 March 1694 in the village of Hol, near [[Jejuri, Pune District]] to Khanduji Holkar of Vir. His father died in 1696, when he was only three years of age. Malhar Rao grew up in [[Taloda]] (Nandurbar District, Maharashtra) in the castle of his maternal uncle, Sardar Bhojrajrao Bargal. His maternal uncle held a cavalry under [[Maratha]] noble Sardar Kadam Bande. Bargal asked Malhar Rao to join his cavalry and soon after that he was placed in-charge of cavalry detachment.<ref>{{cite book \|title=Indian States: A Biographical, Historical, and Administrative Survey\|first1=R. V.\| last1=Solomon \|first2=J. W. \|last2=Bond \|publisher=Asian Educational Services \|year=2006 \|isbn=9788120619654 \|url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Indian_States/47sfj8DUwNgC?hl=en&gbpv=0 \|page=70}}</ref>

	He married Gautama Bai Bargal (d. 29 September 1761), his uncle's daughter, in 1717. He also married Bana Bai Sahib Holkar, Dwarka Bai Sahib Holkar, Harku Bai Sahib Holkar, a Khanda Rani. This Khanda Rani status stems from the fact that she was a princess, he had sent his [[sword]] (''khaandaa'' in Marathi) to represent him at the wedding, to maintain appearances.{{citation needed\|date=December 2013}}		He married Gautama Bai Bargal (d. 29 September 1761), his uncle's daughter, in 1717. He also married Bana Bai Sahib Holkar, Dwarka Bai Sahib Holkar, Harku Bai Sahib Holkar, a Khanda Rani. This Khanda Rani status stems from the fact that she was a princess, he had sent his [[sword]] (''khaandaa'' in Marathi) to represent him at the wedding, to maintain appearances.{{citation needed\|date=December 2013}}
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	He was raised to the rank of [[Subedar]] in 1757.		He was raised to the rank of [[Subedar]] in 1757.

	Malhar Rao Holkar was defeated decisively by the cavalry of the [[Durrani Empire]] led by Jahan Khan at the Second Battle of Sikandarabad (1760)		Malhar Rao Holkar was defeated decisively by the cavalry of the [[Durrani Empire]] led by Jahan Khan at the Second Battle of Sikandarabad (1760){{citation needed\|date=November 2021}}

	==Death and legacy==		==Death and legacy==
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	[[File:Back View of Chhatri at Alampur.jpg\|thumb\|Back view of Malhar Rao Holkar's [[Chhatri]][[samadhi (shrine)\|samadhi]] at [[Alampur, Madhya Pradesh]]]]		[[File:Back View of Chhatri at Alampur.jpg\|thumb\|Back view of Malhar Rao Holkar's [[Chhatri]][[samadhi (shrine)\|samadhi]] at [[Alampur, Madhya Pradesh]]]]

	He died at [[Alampur, Madhya Pradesh\|Alampur]], 20 May 1766. His only son [[Khanderao Holkar]] had already died in 1754 during the seize of [[Kumher]] against the [[Jat people\|Jat]] maharaja [[Suraj Mal]] of [[Bharatpur State]]. After his son Kanderao's death in 1754, Malhar Rao prevented [[Khanderao Holkar]]'s wife [[Ahilya Bai Holkar]] from committing [[Sati (practice)\|sati]].<ref name=kr2>[https://books.google.com/books?id=1YSU9Qp9w0MC&pg=PA184&lpg=PA184&dq=khande+rao+Holkar+kumbher&source=bl&ots=sJW8YYZwot&sig=jdV6rqfLCy772sBi8jpxn7BpP_c&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjg2q2n0fvTAhVHPo8KHX34AiEQ6AEIXzAJ#v=onepage&q=khande%20rao%20Holkar%20kumbher&f=false Images of Women in Maharashtrian Literature and Religion, edited by Anne Feldhaus, pp185-186]</ref> Malhar Rao's grandson and Khanderao's young son [[Male Rao Holkar]] became the ruler of Indore in 1766, under the regentship of Ahilyabai, but he too died within few months in 1767. Ahilyabai became the ruler of Indore after the death of her only son with Khanderao. He is considered as one of the architects of Maratha control over India.<ref name=kr1>[https://books.google.com/books?id=d1wUgKKzawoC&pg=PA606&lpg=PA606&dq=khande+rao+Holkar+kumbher&source=bl&ots=HL_Zb59lXe&sig=GscxLGOckGv7CMszFFrRNcpu04U&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjg2q2n0fvTAhVHPo8KHX34AiEQ6AEISjAF#v=onepage&q=khande%20rao%20Holkar%20kumbher&f=false Advanced Study in the History of Modern India 1707-1813, by Jaswant Lal Mehta, pp606]</ref><ref name=kr3>[https://books.google.com/books?id=_0RpUoGiou4C&pg=PA60&lpg=PA60&dq=khande+rao+Holkar+kumbher&source=bl&ots=DvbxZMu4Cf&sig=-2Cda7r2AeyAk42WWjZ5f-Xn4xA&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiP6aSa1PvTAhVMMY8KHVkMBII4ChDoAQg0MAg#v=onepage&q=khande%20rao%20Holkar%20kumbher&f=false Omkareshwar and Maheshwar: Travel Guide, p60]</ref><ref name=kr4>[https://books.google.com/books?id=47sfj8DUwNgC&pg=PA70&lpg=PA70&dq=khande+rao+Holkar+kumbher&source=bl&ots=dcDDpJRBqM&sig=pFdl-hn-ax9B-BHb_vCPMrWpMwk&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiP6aSa1PvTAhVMMY8KHVkMBII4ChDoAQg8MAo#v=onepage&q=khande%20rao%20Holkar%20kumbher&f=false Indian States: A Biographical, Historical, and Administrative Survey, by R. V. Solomon, J. W. Bond, p.72]</ref>		He died at [[Alampur, Madhya Pradesh\|Alampur]], 20 May 1766. His only son [[Khanderao Holkar]] had already died in 1754 during the seize of [[Kumher]] against the [[Jat people\|Jat]] maharaja [[Suraj Mal]] of [[Bharatpur State]]. After his son Kanderao's death in 1754, Malhar Rao prevented [[Khanderao Holkar]]'s wife [[Ahilya Bai Holkar]] from committing [[Sati (practice)\|sati]].<ref name=kr2>[https://books.google.com/books?id=1YSU9Qp9w0MC&pg=PA184&lpg=PA184&dq=khande+rao+Holkar+kumbher&source=bl&ots=sJW8YYZwot&sig=jdV6rqfLCy772sBi8jpxn7BpP_c&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjg2q2n0fvTAhVHPo8KHX34AiEQ6AEIXzAJ#v=onepage&q=khande%20rao%20Holkar%20kumbher&f=false Images of Women in Maharashtrian Literature and Religion, edited by Anne Feldhaus, pp185-186]</ref> Malhar Rao's grandson and Khanderao's young son [[Male Rao Holkar]] became the ruler of Indore in 1766, under the regentship of Ahilyabai, but he too died within few months in 1767. Ahilyabai became the ruler of Indore after the death of her only son with Khanderao. He is considered one of the architects of Maratha control over India.<ref name=kr1>[https://books.google.com/books?id=d1wUgKKzawoC&pg=PA606&lpg=PA606&dq=khande+rao+Holkar+kumbher&source=bl&ots=HL_Zb59lXe&sig=GscxLGOckGv7CMszFFrRNcpu04U&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjg2q2n0fvTAhVHPo8KHX34AiEQ6AEISjAF#v=onepage&q=khande%20rao%20Holkar%20kumbher&f=false Advanced Study in the History of Modern India 1707-1813, by Jaswant Lal Mehta, pp606]</ref><ref name=kr3>[https://books.google.com/books?id=_0RpUoGiou4C&pg=PA60&lpg=PA60&dq=khande+rao+Holkar+kumbher&source=bl&ots=DvbxZMu4Cf&sig=-2Cda7r2AeyAk42WWjZ5f-Xn4xA&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiP6aSa1PvTAhVMMY8KHVkMBII4ChDoAQg0MAg#v=onepage&q=khande%20rao%20Holkar%20kumbher&f=false Omkareshwar and Maheshwar: Travel Guide, p60]</ref><ref name=kr4>[https://books.google.com/books?id=47sfj8DUwNgC&pg=PA70&lpg=PA70&dq=khande+rao+Holkar+kumbher&source=bl&ots=dcDDpJRBqM&sig=pFdl-hn-ax9B-BHb_vCPMrWpMwk&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiP6aSa1PvTAhVMMY8KHVkMBII4ChDoAQg8MAo#v=onepage&q=khande%20rao%20Holkar%20kumbher&f=false Indian States: A Biographical, Historical, and Administrative Survey, by R. V. Solomon, J. W. Bond, p.72]</ref>

	His daughter-in-law [[Ahilya Bai Holkar]] built his [[samadhi (shrine)\|samadhi]] [[Chhatri]], at the spot of his cremation, at [[Alampur, Madhya Pradesh\|Alampur]] of [[Lahar, India\|Lahar]] in [[Bhind district]] of [[Madhya Pradesh]] state.<ref name=chat1>[https://www.mcbhind.com/pages.php?pv=History History of Bhind district]</ref><ref name=chat2>[http://tenders.gov.in/innerpage.asp?choice=tc5&tid=mp767630&work=1 India Govt tender for the improvement of Malhar Rao Holkar's Chhatri at Alampur]</ref>		His daughter-in-law [[Ahilya Bai Holkar]] built his [[samadhi (shrine)\|samadhi]] [[Chhatri]], at the spot of his cremation, at [[Alampur, Madhya Pradesh\|Alampur]] of [[Lahar, India\|Lahar]] in [[Bhind district]] of [[Madhya Pradesh]] state.<ref name=chat1>[https://www.mcbhind.com/pages.php?pv=History History of Bhind district]</ref><ref name=chat2>[http://tenders.gov.in/innerpage.asp?choice=tc5&tid=mp767630&work=1 India Govt tender for the improvement of Malhar Rao Holkar's Chhatri at Alampur]</ref>
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	*In the 2015 [[Bollywood]] movie ''[[Bajirao Mastani]]'', Malhar Rao Holkar was portrayed by Ganesh Yadav.		*In the 2015 [[Bollywood]] movie ''[[Bajirao Mastani]]'', Malhar Rao Holkar was portrayed by Ganesh Yadav.
	* In the 2019 [[Bollywood]] war drama ''[[Panipat (film)\|Panipat]]'', [[Ravindra Mahajani]] portrays the role of Malhar Rao Holkar.		* In the 2019 [[Bollywood]] war drama ''[[Panipat (film)\|Panipat]]'', [[Ravindra Mahajani]] portrays the role of Malhar Rao Holkar.
	*In the [[Hindi]]-language TV series ''[[Peshwa Bajirao (TV series)\|Peshwa Bajirao]]'', [[Rushiraj Pawar]] portrays a young Holkar.		*In the [[Hindi]]-language TV series ''[[Peshwa Bajirao (TV series)\|Peshwa Bajirao]]'', Rushiraj Pawar portrays a young Holkar.
	*In the [[Hindi]]-language TV series ''[[Punyashlok Ahilyabai\|Punyashlok Ahilya Bai]]'', [[Rajesh Shringarpure]] plays the role of Malhar Rao Holkar.		*In the [[Hindi]]-language TV series ''[[Punyashlok Ahilyabai\|Punyashlok Ahilya Bai]]'', [[Rajesh Shringarpure]] plays the role of Malhar Rao Holkar.

>MB: Fix infobox image syntax

2021-07-08T04:51:57Z

Fix infobox image syntax

New page

{{Short description|Subedar of Malwa Province in Maratha Empire}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2013}}
{{Infobox military person
| honorific_prefix = [[Sardar]]
| name = Malhar Rao
| honorific_suffix = [[Holkar]]
| image = Geivkvdkg.jpg
| caption =
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1694|3|16|df=y}}
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1766|5|20|1693|3|16|df=yes}}
| birth_place = [[Jejuri, Pune District]]
| death_place =
| nickname =
| allegiance = [[File:Flag of the Maratha Empire.svg|20px]] [[Maratha Empire]]
| branch =
| serviceyears =
| rank = Peshwa's general<ref>[http://indore.nic.in/holkar.htm Holkars of Indore] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131030213114/http://www.indore.nic.in/holkar.htm |date=30 October 2013 }}</ref>
| unit =
| commands =
| battles =
| awards =
| spouse = Gautama Bai Sahib Holkar<br />Bana Bai Sahib Holkar<br />Dwarka Bai Sahib Holkar<br />Harku Bai Sahib Holkar<br />
| relations = {{ubl|[[Khanderao Holkar]] (son)
|[[Ahilyabai Holkar]] (daughter-in-law)
|[[Male Rao Holkar]] (grandson)
|[[Tukoji Rao Holkar]] (grand-nephew and adopted son)}}
}}

'''Malhar Rao Holkar''' (16 March 1694 – 20 May 1766) was a noble [[subedar]] of the [[Maratha Empire]], in present-day India. He was one of the early officers along with [[Ranoji Sindhia]] to help spread the Maratha rule to northern states and was given the estate of Indore to rule by the [[Peshwa]]s, during the reign of the Maratha Emperor [[Shahu I]].

==Early life==

Malhar Rao Holkar was from the [[Dhangar]] community.<ref>{{cite book |title=The Indian Princes and their States |series=The New Cambridge History of India |first=Barbara N. |last=Ramusack |author-link=Barbara Ramusack |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=2004 |isbn=9781139449083 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Kz1-mtazYqEC&pg=PA35 |page=35}}</ref><ref name="Jones">{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/urbanpoliticsini0000jone |url-access=registration |title=Urban Politics in India: Area, Power, and Policy in a Penetrated System |year=1974 |first=Rodney W. |last=Jones |publisher=University of California Press |page=[https://archive.org/details/urbanpoliticsini0000jone/page/25 25]}}</ref> He was born on 16 March 1693 in the village of Hol, near [[Jejuri, Pune District]] to Khanduji Holkar of Vir. His father died in 1696, when he was only three years of age. Malhar Rao grew up in [[Taloda]] (Nandurbar District, Khandesh) in the castle of his maternal uncle, Sardar Bhojrajrao Bargal. His maternal uncle held a cavalry under [[Maratha]] noble Sardar Kadam Bande. Bargal asked Malhar Rao to join his cavalry and soon after that he was placed in-charge of cavalry detachment.<ref>{{cite book |title=Indian States: A Biographical, Historical, and Administrative Survey|first1=R. V.| last1=Solomon |first2=J. W. |last2=Bond |publisher=Asian Educational Services |year=2006 |isbn=9788120619654 |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Indian_States/47sfj8DUwNgC?hl=en&gbpv=0 |page=70}}</ref>

He married Gautama Bai Bargal (d. 29 September 1761), his uncle's daughter, in 1717. He also married Bana Bai Sahib Holkar, Dwarka Bai Sahib Holkar, Harku Bai Sahib Holkar, a Khanda Rani. This Khanda Rani status stems from the fact that she was a princess, he had sent his [[sword]] (''khaandaa'' in Marathi) to represent him at the wedding, to maintain appearances.{{citation needed|date=December 2013}}

==Peshwa's service==
Holkar lived at a time when it was possible for ambitious people to improve their standing substantially and in 1715 he was serving in forces under the control of Kadam Bande in [[Khandesh]]. Adopting the mercenary approach to service that was common at the time, Holkar was a part of the expedition to [[Delhi]] organised by [[Balaji Vishwanath]] in 1719, fought against the [[Nizam]] in the Battle of Balapur of 1720 and served with the Raja of [[Barwani]].<ref name="Gordon117">{{cite book |title=The Marathas 1600-1818 |volume=2 |first=Stewart |last=Gordon |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=1993 |isbn=9780521268837 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iHK-BhVXOU4C&pg=PA117 |pages=117–118}}</ref>

In 1721, having become disillusioned with Bande, Holkar became a soldier in the service of the Peshwa, [[Bajirao]]. He became close to him and was soon able to move up the ranks. Participation in the Peshwa's campaign of 1723-24 was followed by a diplomatic role, settling a dispute with the state of [[Bhopal]]. Holkar was commanding a force of 500 men in 1725 and in 1727, he received a grant so that he could maintain troops in various areas of Malwa. Successful work during the [[Battle of Palkhed]] of 1728, during which he disrupted the supplies and communications of the Mughal armies, further increased his status. The Peshwa improved that as a counter to a perceived threat from less loyal supporters and by 1732, when the Peshwa gave him a large portion of western Malwa, Holkar had command of a cavalry force comprising several thousand men.<ref name="Gordon117" />

==War against the subjects of the Mughal Empire==
[[File:India1760 1905.jpg|250px|right|thumb|[[Maratha Empire]] excluding its vassals (yellow areas).]]

One of the foremost commanders of the [[Maratha Empire]] (1760), he participated in the great victory in the [[Battle of Delhi (1737)]], and the defeat of the Nizam in the [[Battle of Bhopal]]. He was also part of the campaign that wrested [[Vasai]] from the [[Portuguese India|Portuguese]] in 1739. He received [[Rampura, Neemuch|Rampura]], [[Bhanpura]] and [[Tonk (princely state)|Tonk]] in 1743, for the assistance given to [[Madhosingh I]] of [[Jaipur]] in his contest with Ishwari Singh. Granted an Imperial Sardeshmukhi for Chandore, for his gallantry in the [[Rohilla]] campaign of 1748. From 1748 onwards, Malhar Rao Holkar's position in Malwa became firm and secure.

He was the foster father of Abdali and Najeeb Khan. Had he been not, the third battle of Panipat could have been avoided. Malharrao Holkar, Jayappa Shinde, Gangadhar Tatya, Tukojirao Holkar and Khanderao Holkar went to help [[Safdarjung]] against Shadulla Khan, Ahmed Khan Bangash, Mohamud Khan and Bahadur Khan [[Rohilla]] as per the directions of Peshwa [[Balaji Bajirao]]. In the Battle of Fatthegad and [[Farukhabad]], they defeated the Rohillas and Bangash (March 1751-April 1752). When Mughal Emperor came to know that Ahmed Shah Abdali had attacked Punjab in December 1751, he asked Safdarjung to make peace with Rohillas and Bangash. On 12 April 1752, Safdarjung agreed to help Marathas but the Emperor didn't ratify the agreement and instead signed a treaty with Ahmed Shah Abdali on 23 April 1752. At the same time, the Peshwa asked Malharrao Holkar to return to Pune as Salabat Khan had attacked the city.

The [[Marathas]] besieged [[Kumher]] Fort from 20 January to 18 May 1754. The war continued for about four months. During the war [[Khanderao Holkar]], son of Malhar Rao Holkar, was one day inspecting his army in an open palanquin, when he was fired upon from the fort. The cannonball hit and killed him on 24 March 1754. Malhar Rao was infuriated by the death of his only son and wanted to take revenge. He vowed that he would cut off the head of [[Maharaja Suraj Mal]] and throw the soil of fort into [[Yamuna]] after destroying it. The Marathas increased pressure and Suraj Mal defended pacifly,{{clarify|date=April 2017}} but Suraj Mal was isolated as no other ruler was ready to help him. At this moment, Maharaja Suraj Mal was counseled by Maharani Kishori, who assured him not to worry and started diplomatic efforts. She contacted Diwan Roop Ram Katara. She knew that there were differences between [[Malharrao Holkar]] and Jayappa Sindhia and that [[Jayappa Sindhia]] was very firm in his determinations. She advised Maharaja Suraj Mal to take advantage of mutual differences within Marathas. Diwan Roop Ram Katara was a friend of Jayappa Sindhia. She requested Diwan Roop Ram Katara to take a letter from Maharaja Suraj Mal proposing a treaty. Jayappa Sindhia assured Suraj Mal of assistance and contacted [[Raghunathrao]]. [[Raghunathrao]] in turn advised Holkar to sign a treaty with Suraj Mal. Malhar Rao Holkar assessed the situation and consented for the treaty due to possibility of isolation. This led to a treaty between both rulers on 18 May 1754. This treaty proved very beneficial for Maharaja Suraj Mal.<ref>Dr. Prakash Chandra Chandawat: Maharaja Suraj Mal aur unka yug, Jaypal Agencies Agra, 1982, Pages 110-118</ref>

[[Ghazi ud-Din Khan Feroze Jung III]], aided by the Marathas led by Malhar Rao Holkar, defeated Safdarjung. At this the Emperor collected a large army and camped at [[Sikandrabad]]. On the other hand, the Maratha chieftain [[Sadashivrao Bhau]], Malhar Rao Holkar and 2,000 [[Maratha]]'s and their ally [[Ghazi ud-Din Khan Feroze Jung III|Feroze Jung III]] routed Imperial [[Mughal Army]] of the Mughal Emperor Ahmad Shah Bahadur at the First Battle of Sikandarabad (1754). The Emperor left his mother, wives and a retinue of 8,000 women behind and fled to Delhi.{{citation needed|date=February 2017}}

Malharrao Holkar, Raghunathrao, Shamsher Bahadur, Gangadhar Tatya, Sakharambapu, Naroshankar and Maujiram Bania attacked Delhi on 11 August 1757 and defeated [[Najib-ul-Daula]] and Ahmed Khan became the Mir Bakshi in his place. In March 1758, they conquered Sarhind. On 20 April 1758, Malharrao Holkar and Raghunathrao attacked and conquered Lahore. Tukojirao Holkar conquered [[Attock]]. Sabaji Scindia, Vitthal Shivdev met them at Peshawar. Raghunathrao and Malharrao Holkar returned from Punjab.

He was raised to the rank of [[Subedar]] in 1757.

Malhar Rao Holkar was defeated decisively by the cavalry of the [[Durrani Empire]] led by Jahan Khan at the Second Battle of Sikandarabad (1760)

==Death and legacy==
[[File:Chhatri of Malhar Rao Holkar at Alampur, India.jpg|thumb|400px|right|[[Chhatri]] of Malhar Rao Holkar, built by his daughter-in-law [[Ahilya Bai Holkar]], at [[Alampur, Madhya Pradesh]]]]
[[File:Back View of Chhatri at Alampur.jpg|thumb|Back view of Malhar Rao Holkar's [[Chhatri]][[samadhi (shrine)|samadhi]] at [[Alampur, Madhya Pradesh]]]]

He died at [[Alampur, Madhya Pradesh|Alampur]], 20 May 1766. His only son [[Khanderao Holkar]] had already died in 1754 during the seize of [[Kumher]] against the [[Jat people|Jat]] maharaja [[Suraj Mal]] of [[Bharatpur State]]. After his son Kanderao's death in 1754, Malhar Rao prevented [[Khanderao Holkar]]'s wife [[Ahilya Bai Holkar]] from committing [[Sati (practice)|sati]].<ref name=kr2>[https://books.google.com/books?id=1YSU9Qp9w0MC&pg=PA184&lpg=PA184&dq=khande+rao+Holkar+kumbher&source=bl&ots=sJW8YYZwot&sig=jdV6rqfLCy772sBi8jpxn7BpP_c&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjg2q2n0fvTAhVHPo8KHX34AiEQ6AEIXzAJ#v=onepage&q=khande%20rao%20Holkar%20kumbher&f=false Images of Women in Maharashtrian Literature and Religion, edited by Anne Feldhaus, pp185-186]</ref> Malhar Rao's grandson and Khanderao's young son [[Male Rao Holkar]] became the ruler of Indore in 1766, under the regentship of Ahilyabai, but he too died within few months in 1767. Ahilyabai became the ruler of Indore after the death of her only son with Khanderao. He is considered as one of the architects of Maratha control over India.<ref name=kr1>[https://books.google.com/books?id=d1wUgKKzawoC&pg=PA606&lpg=PA606&dq=khande+rao+Holkar+kumbher&source=bl&ots=HL_Zb59lXe&sig=GscxLGOckGv7CMszFFrRNcpu04U&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjg2q2n0fvTAhVHPo8KHX34AiEQ6AEISjAF#v=onepage&q=khande%20rao%20Holkar%20kumbher&f=false Advanced Study in the History of Modern India 1707-1813, by Jaswant Lal Mehta, pp606]</ref><ref name=kr3>[https://books.google.com/books?id=_0RpUoGiou4C&pg=PA60&lpg=PA60&dq=khande+rao+Holkar+kumbher&source=bl&ots=DvbxZMu4Cf&sig=-2Cda7r2AeyAk42WWjZ5f-Xn4xA&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiP6aSa1PvTAhVMMY8KHVkMBII4ChDoAQg0MAg#v=onepage&q=khande%20rao%20Holkar%20kumbher&f=false Omkareshwar and Maheshwar: Travel Guide, p60]</ref><ref name=kr4>[https://books.google.com/books?id=47sfj8DUwNgC&pg=PA70&lpg=PA70&dq=khande+rao+Holkar+kumbher&source=bl&ots=dcDDpJRBqM&sig=pFdl-hn-ax9B-BHb_vCPMrWpMwk&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiP6aSa1PvTAhVMMY8KHVkMBII4ChDoAQg8MAo#v=onepage&q=khande%20rao%20Holkar%20kumbher&f=false Indian States: A Biographical, Historical, and Administrative Survey, by R. V. Solomon, J. W. Bond, p.72]</ref>

His daughter-in-law [[Ahilya Bai Holkar]] built his [[samadhi (shrine)|samadhi]] [[Chhatri]], at the spot of his cremation, at [[Alampur, Madhya Pradesh|Alampur]] of [[Lahar, India|Lahar]] in [[Bhind district]] of [[Madhya Pradesh]] state.<ref name=chat1>[https://www.mcbhind.com/pages.php?pv=History History of Bhind district]</ref><ref name=chat2>[http://tenders.gov.in/innerpage.asp?choice=tc5&tid=mp767630&work=1 India Govt tender for the improvement of Malhar Rao Holkar's Chhatri at Alampur]</ref>

==In popular culture==
* In the 1994 [[Hindi]] TV series ''[[The Great Maratha]]'', Holkar's character was portrayed by [[Parikshit Sahni]].
*In the 2015 [[Bollywood]] movie ''[[Bajirao Mastani]]'', Malhar Rao Holkar was portrayed by Ganesh Yadav.
* In the 2019 [[Bollywood]] war drama ''[[Panipat (film)|Panipat]]'', [[Ravindra Mahajani]] portrays the role of Malhar Rao Holkar.
*In the [[Hindi]]-language TV series ''[[Peshwa Bajirao (TV series)|Peshwa Bajirao]]'', [[Rushiraj Pawar]] portrays a young Holkar.
*In the [[Hindi]]-language TV series ''[[Punyashlok Ahilyabai|Punyashlok Ahilya Bai]]'', [[Rajesh Shringarpure]] plays the role of Malhar Rao Holkar.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
*''Hindustancha Yugpurush Malharrao Holkar'' By Madhukar Salgare - 2009(Marathi)
*''Subhedar Thorale Malharrao Holkar Yanche Charitra'' By M.M. Atre - 1893 (Marathi)
*''Peshwa Maratha Relations and Malharrao Holkar'' By N.N. Nagarale 1989 (English)
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Holkar, Malhar Rao}}
[[Category:People of the Maratha Empire]]
[[Category:Marathi people]]
[[Category:1693 births]]
[[Category:1766 deaths]]
[[Category:Maharajas of Indore]]
[[Category:People from Nandurbar district]]