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{{Short description|Maharaja of Indore from 1795–1797}}
{{Short description|Maharaja of Indore from 1795 to 1797}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2013}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2023}}
{{Unreferenced|date=May 2021}}
 
{{multiple issues|
{{Peacock|date=February 2026}}
{{Citations needed|date=March 2026}}
}}
 
{{Infobox royalty
{{Infobox royalty
| image        = Tukoji Holkar I.jpg
| name        = Tukoji Rao I Holkar
| name         = Tukoji Rao Holkar
| image        =
| caption      = Tukoji Rao Holkar
{{Easy CSS image crop
| title        = ''[[subadar]] '' (Ruler of [[Indore]]) ''
|image                = Tukoji Rao I Holkar.jpg
| religion    = [[Hinduism]]
|desired_width         = 220
| full name   =  
|location = center
| coronation   =  
}}
| birth_date  = 26 June 1723
| caption      = Portrait of Tukoji Rao, early 19th century
| succession  = [[File:Flag of the Maratha Empire.svg|33x30px]] 4th [[Holkar]] Ruler of [[Indore]]
| predecessor  = [[Ahilyabai Holkar]]
| successor   = [[Kashi Rao Holkar]]
| reign   = {{ubl|13 August 1795 –
|15 August 1797}}
|succession1 = Commander-in-Chief of [[Indore]]
|reign1 = 1767 – 1795
|reign-type1 = Years of Service
| birth_date  = {{Birth date|1723|06|26|df=yes}}
| birth_place  =  
| birth_place  =  
| death_date  = {{death date and age|1797|8|15|1723|6|26|df=yes}}
| death_date  = {{death date and age|1797|8|15|1723|6|26|df=yes}}
| death_place =
| death_place  = [[Pune]], Maharashtra, India
| reign        = 1795 - 1797
|house = [[Holkar]]
| predecessor = [[Ahilyabai Holkar]]
| full name    =  
| successor    = [[Kashi Rao Holkar]]
| spouse      = Rakhmabai Holkar
| father      = Tanuji Holkar<br>[[Malhar Rao Holkar]] (adoptive)
| mother      =  
| mother      =  
| issue        = [[Kashi Rao Holkar]]<br>[[Vithoji Rao Holkar]]<br>[[Yashwant Rao Holkar]]<br>Malhar Rao II Holkar
| father      = [[Malhar Rao Holkar]] (adoptive)<br />Tanuji Holkar (biological)
| issue = {{ubl|
|[[Kashi Rao Holkar]]
|[[Vithoji Rao Holkar]]
|[[Yashwant Rao Holkar]]
|Malhar Rao II Holkar
}}
| spouses = {{ubl|
|Rakhmabai Holkar
|Radhabai Holkar
}}
}}
'''Shrimant Subadar Tukoji Rao I Holkar IV Bahadur''' (26 June 1723 &ndash; 15 August 1797), belonging to the [[Holkar]] clan of the [[Marathas]] was the [[feudatory]] of [[Indore]] (r. 1795&ndash;1797). '''Tukoji Holkar''' was the adopted son of [[Malhar Rao Holkar]], he was the second son of Shrimant Tanuji Holkar, a nephew of Malhar Rao Holkar. Thus he was also the grand-nephew of Malhar Rao Holkar.{{citation needed|date=August 2020}} He married two wives. He had four sons [[Kashi Rao Holkar|Kashi Rao]], Malhar Rao II Holkar, [[Yashwantrao Holkar|Yashwant Rao]], [[Vithoji Rao Holkar|Vithoji Rao]].
| module =
{{Infobox military person
                      | embed        = yes
                      | allegiance  =[[File:Flag of the Maratha Empire.svg|22px]] [[Maratha Empire]]  
                      | branch      =
                      | rank        = [[Senapati]]
                      | battles    = {{collapsible list|title = {{nobold|''See list''}}|{{tree list}}


* [[Maratha]]-[[Rohilla]] [[War|Conflicts]]
** Farrukhabad (1751)
* [[Afghan-Maratha War]]
** Peshawar (1758)
** [[Capture of Delhi (1760)|Delhi (1760)]]
** [[Battle of Kunjpura|Kunjpura (1760)]]
** [[Third Battle of Panipat|Panipat (1761)]]
** [[Capture of Delhi (1771)|Delhi (1771)]]
** Purana Qila (1772)
* [[First Anglo-Mysore War]]
** Gajendragad (1786)
*[[First Anglo-Maratha War]]
**[[Battle of Wadgaon|Wadgaon (1779)]]
** Bhorghat (1781)
*Maratha-Nizam War
**[[Battle of Kharda|Kharda (1795)]]
{{tree list/end}}
}}
}}
}}



'''Tukoji Rao I Holkar''' (26 June 1723 – 15 August 1797) was the [[Maharaja]] of [[Indore]] from 1795 until his death in 1797, belonging to the [[House of Holkar|Holkar clan]]. He was the great-nephew and adoptive son of [[Dynasty|dynastic]] founder [[Malhar Rao Holkar|Malhar Rao]]. He served as commander of forces for 27 years before briefly occupying the throne.<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 March 2024 |title=Holkar dynasty |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Holkar-dynasty |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260321202524/https://www.britannica.com/topic/Holkar-dynasty |archive-date=21 March 2026 |access-date=21 March 2026 |website=Encyclopedia Britannica}}</ref>


==Life==
==Life and career==
Tukoji Rao Holkar was from the Dhangar community. After the demise of [[Ahilyabai Holkar]], Tukojirao was the only suitable person who could preserve the splendour of Holkar kingdom intact. He became the fourth ruler of the kingdom for a short period from 1795 to 1797 and protected the province as a courageous soldier.
Upon [[Ahilyabai Holkar]]’s death in August 1795, Tukoji Rao Holkar succeeded her as Maharaja of Indore and reigned until his own death in August 1797. Tukoji Rao gained responsibility of the principality at a time of crisis. Contemporary Maratha records describe Tukoji Rao Holkar as a trusted commander‑in‑chief under Malhar Rao Holkar, and it is reported that Malhar Rao expressed confidence in him on his deathbed. Malhar Rao said, "You are the only one who can uphold my name and protect Prince [[Male Rao Holkar]] [grandson of Malhar Rao] after my death." However, Male Rao also had a very short life span. He died on 13 March 1767 due to sickness. At this juncture, Tukoji Rao submitted himself to the service of the ruling queen of Indore, Ahilyabai, and she could withstand the challenges she had in the service of her people of [[Malwa]]. Ahilyabai also respected him as her brother-in-law, as Tukoji Rao was the adopted son of Malhar Rao Holkar I.<ref>{{cite book| url =https://books.google.com/books?id=8AbPDwAAQBAJ&q=tukoji+holkar | title = Rise and Fall of The Maratha Empire 1750-1818|author=Sanish Nandakumar| date = 7 February 2020| publisher = Notion Press|isbn=9781647839611|access-date=11 February 2022}}</ref>
It was a time of crisis when Shreemant Tukojirao received the responsibility of the Holkar Kingdom. Shreemant Khanderao, husband of Devi Ahilyabai had already lost his life in Kumbher war of 1754. Shreemant Tukojirao Holkar was the most trustworthy commander-in-chief of Shreemant Malharrao Holkar. While on death bed, [[Malhar Rao Holkar|Malhar Rao]]'s appreciation of Tukoji further intensified his loyalty to the royal house of Holkars. Malharrao said "You are the only one who can uphold my name and protect Prince [[Male Rao Holkar]] (grandson of Malharrao) after my death". But, Malerao also had a very short-life span. He died on 13 March 1767 due to sickness. At this juncture, it was Tukojirao who has submitted himself to the service of Devi Ahilyabai and she could withstand with the challenges she had in the service of her people of Malwa. Ahilyabai also respected him as her brother-in-law as Tukojirao was the adopted son of Shreemant Malhar Rao Holkar I.


The remarkable and sincere services rendered by Tukoji Rao Holkar I during the reign of Malhar Rao Holkar I as a Commander in his army and during Ahilyabai Holkar as a Commander-in-Chief could congregate much recognition to his extraordinary talents in administration and as a Chief of the armed forces. He, in the meantime, never forgot for a moment his original sense of obligation to the royal house of Holkars. He was more than obedient; he was dutiful, and all his actions were directed to please and conciliate the royal chair to which he was solely indebted for his high station. The people of Malwa felt themselves secure in the hands of Tukojirao Holkar I and the territories comprising the Holkar State continued to be prosperous for nearly two years after the death of Ahilya Bai.
Tukoji Rao Holkar I served as a commander under Malhar Rao Holkar I and later as Commander-in-Chief during Ahilyabai Holkar's reign. During this period, he managed military and administrative duties for the Holkar state. He was popular with the people of Malwa and the territories comprising the Holkar State continued to be prosperous for nearly two years after the death of Ahilya Bai.{{Citation needed|date=February 2026}}


One of his famous conquests was the Battle of Lahore, Attock, and Peshawar in which he commanded many of the Maratha forces in the Punjab region and the frontier regions of Attock and Peshawar.
He actively participated in the [[Maratha conquest of North-west India|conquests of Punjab]] and fought in the Battles of Lahore, Attock, and Peshawar, in which he commanded many of the Maratha forces in the Punjab region and the frontier regions of [[Attock]] and [[Peshawar]]. Historical accounts indicate that Holkar participated in operations in the northwest, including actions near [[Jalalabad]] against Afghan commanders. Following the Maratha defeat at the Third Battle of Panipat, he was involved in the Maratha Resurrection, and subsequently in the [[First Anglo-Maratha War]], after which his relation with [[Mahadaji Scindia]] deteriorated.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uPq640stHJ0C&dq=tukoji+holkar&pg=PA166|title=The Great Maratha Mahadaji Scindia|author=N. G. Rathod|year=1994|isbn=9788185431529|pages=163–173|publisher=Sarup & Sons }}</ref>


Tukoji Rao died on 15 August 1797. He left behind him "the character of a good soldier, a plain, unaffected man and one whose courage was superior to his craft. The records show that during his lifetime he never used a seal of his own, and always been remained loyal to Shri Malhar Rao and his family until his last breath."
[[Shah Alam II|Shah Alam]] spent six years in the Allahabad fort. After the [[Capture of Delhi (1771)|capture of Delhi]] in 1771 by the Marathas, he left for his capital under their protection.<ref>{{cite book|title=A Comprehensive History of India: Volume Nine (1712–1772)|editor=A. C. Banerjee |editor2=D. K. Ghose|publisher=[[Indian History Congress]], [[Orient Longman]]|year=1978|pages=60–61}}</ref> He was escorted to Delhi by [[Mahadaji Shinde]], and left Allahabad in May 1771. During their short stay, Marathas constructed two temples in the [[Allahabad]] city, one of them being the famous [[Alopi Devi Mandir]]. However, after reaching Delhi in January 1772 and realizing the Maratha intent of territorial encroachment, Shah Alam ordered his general [[Mirza Najaf Khan]] to drive them out. In retaliation, Tukoji Rao Holkar and [[Visaji Krushna Biniwale]] attacked Delhi and defeated Mughal forces in 1772. The Marathas were granted an imperial ''[[Deed|sanad]]'' for Kora and Allahabad. They turned their attention to Oudh to gain these two territories. Shuja was, however, unwilling to give them up and made appeals to the English. As such, the Marathas did not fare well at the Battle of Ramghat.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=r4hHNz7T-AEC&pg=PA7|title=Anglo-Maratha relations during the administration of Warren Hastings 1772–1785, Volume 1|author=Sailendra Nath Sen|publisher=[[Popular Prakashan]]|year=1998|pages=7–8|isbn=9788171545780}}</ref> The Maratha and British armies fought in Ramghat, but the sudden demise of the Peshwa and the civil war in [[Pune]] to choose the next Peshwa forced the Maratha to retreat.<ref>{{cite book|url={{google books |plainurl=y |id=MS_jrForJOoC|page=57}}|title=History of Modern India: 1707 A.D. up to 2000 A.D. |first=Radhey Shyam |last=Chaurasia |year=1947}}</ref>


==References==
Tukoji Rao died on 15 August 1797. Historical records note that he did not use a personal seal during his lifetime, maintaining the administrative style of Malhar Rao’s lineage.<ref name="Malcolm1823">{{cite book |last=Malcolm |first=John |author-link=John Malcolm |url=https://archive.org/details/amemoircentrali00malcgoog |title=A Memoir of Central India, Including Malwa, and Adjoining Provinces |publisher=Kingsbury, Parbury & Allen |year=1823 |volume=1 |location=London |pages=194-195}}</ref>
<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-04-28|title=Tukoji Rao Holkar - Adopted Son of Malhar Rao Holkar|url=https://historyflame.com/tukoji-rao-holkar/|access-date=2021-12-09|website=History Flame|language=en-US}}</ref>{{Reflist}}


==See also==
==In popular culture==
{{Commons category|Tukoji Rao Holkar}}
{{Commons category|Tukoji Rao Holkar}}
*[[Javji Bamble]]
* In the 1994 [[Hindi]] TV series ''[[The Great Maratha]]'', Tukoji's character was portrayed by Sanjay Mahendirata.
*[[Holkar]]
* In 2021-22 [[Hindi]] TV series [[Punyashlok Ahilyabai]], James Naivedhya Ghadge played the role of young Tukoji Rao Holkar followed by Siddharth Bannerjee initially and then Sandeep Vasantrao Gaikwad.
*[[Malhar Rao Holkar]]
==References==
*[[Ahilyabai Holkar]]
{{Reflist}}
 
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Holkar}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Holkar, Tukoji Rao}}
[[Category:Maratha Chiefs in the Maratha Empire]]
[[Category:1723 births]]
[[Category:1723 births]]
[[Category:1795 deaths]]
[[Category:1797 deaths]]
[[Category:Maharajas of Indore]]
[[Category:Maharajas of Indore State]]
[[Category:18th-century Indian monarchs]]
[[Category:Maratha generals]]
[[Category:People from Indore]]
[[Category:Indian military leaders]]
[[Category:Indian generals]]
[[Category:18th-century Indian people]]
[[Category:People from Indore district]]
[[Category:Indian royalty]]
[[Category:Marathi people]]

Latest revision as of 14:50, 27 March 2026



Tukoji Rao I Holkar
Template:Easy CSS image crop
Portrait of Tukoji Rao, early 19th century
4th Holkar Ruler of Indore
Reign
  • 13 August 1795 –
  • 15 August 1797
PredecessorAhilyabai Holkar
SuccessorKashi Rao Holkar
Commander-in-Chief of Indore
Years of Service1767 – 1795
Born(1723-06-26)26 June 1723
Died15 August 1797(1797-08-15) (aged 74)
Pune, Maharashtra, India
Spouses
  • Rakhmabai Holkar
  • Radhabai Holkar
Issue
HouseHolkar
FatherMalhar Rao Holkar (adoptive)
Tanuji Holkar (biological)
Military career
Allegiance Maratha Empire
RankSenapati
Battles/wars

Tukoji Rao I Holkar (26 June 1723 – 15 August 1797) was the Maharaja of Indore from 1795 until his death in 1797, belonging to the Holkar clan. He was the great-nephew and adoptive son of dynastic founder Malhar Rao. He served as commander of forces for 27 years before briefly occupying the throne.[1]

Life and career[edit | edit source]

Upon Ahilyabai Holkar’s death in August 1795, Tukoji Rao Holkar succeeded her as Maharaja of Indore and reigned until his own death in August 1797. Tukoji Rao gained responsibility of the principality at a time of crisis. Contemporary Maratha records describe Tukoji Rao Holkar as a trusted commander‑in‑chief under Malhar Rao Holkar, and it is reported that Malhar Rao expressed confidence in him on his deathbed. Malhar Rao said, "You are the only one who can uphold my name and protect Prince Male Rao Holkar [grandson of Malhar Rao] after my death." However, Male Rao also had a very short life span. He died on 13 March 1767 due to sickness. At this juncture, Tukoji Rao submitted himself to the service of the ruling queen of Indore, Ahilyabai, and she could withstand the challenges she had in the service of her people of Malwa. Ahilyabai also respected him as her brother-in-law, as Tukoji Rao was the adopted son of Malhar Rao Holkar I.[2]

Tukoji Rao Holkar I served as a commander under Malhar Rao Holkar I and later as Commander-in-Chief during Ahilyabai Holkar's reign. During this period, he managed military and administrative duties for the Holkar state. He was popular with the people of Malwa and the territories comprising the Holkar State continued to be prosperous for nearly two years after the death of Ahilya Bai.[citation needed]

He actively participated in the conquests of Punjab and fought in the Battles of Lahore, Attock, and Peshawar, in which he commanded many of the Maratha forces in the Punjab region and the frontier regions of Attock and Peshawar. Historical accounts indicate that Holkar participated in operations in the northwest, including actions near Jalalabad against Afghan commanders. Following the Maratha defeat at the Third Battle of Panipat, he was involved in the Maratha Resurrection, and subsequently in the First Anglo-Maratha War, after which his relation with Mahadaji Scindia deteriorated.[3]

Shah Alam spent six years in the Allahabad fort. After the capture of Delhi in 1771 by the Marathas, he left for his capital under their protection.[4] He was escorted to Delhi by Mahadaji Shinde, and left Allahabad in May 1771. During their short stay, Marathas constructed two temples in the Allahabad city, one of them being the famous Alopi Devi Mandir. However, after reaching Delhi in January 1772 and realizing the Maratha intent of territorial encroachment, Shah Alam ordered his general Mirza Najaf Khan to drive them out. In retaliation, Tukoji Rao Holkar and Visaji Krushna Biniwale attacked Delhi and defeated Mughal forces in 1772. The Marathas were granted an imperial sanad for Kora and Allahabad. They turned their attention to Oudh to gain these two territories. Shuja was, however, unwilling to give them up and made appeals to the English. As such, the Marathas did not fare well at the Battle of Ramghat.[5] The Maratha and British armies fought in Ramghat, but the sudden demise of the Peshwa and the civil war in Pune to choose the next Peshwa forced the Maratha to retreat.[6]

Tukoji Rao died on 15 August 1797. Historical records note that he did not use a personal seal during his lifetime, maintaining the administrative style of Malhar Rao’s lineage.[7]

In popular culture[edit | edit source]

  • In the 1994 Hindi TV series The Great Maratha, Tukoji's character was portrayed by Sanjay Mahendirata.
  • In 2021-22 Hindi TV series Punyashlok Ahilyabai, James Naivedhya Ghadge played the role of young Tukoji Rao Holkar followed by Siddharth Bannerjee initially and then Sandeep Vasantrao Gaikwad.

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "Holkar dynasty". Encyclopedia Britannica. 19 March 2024. Archived from the original on 21 March 2026. Retrieved 21 March 2026.
  2. ↑ Sanish Nandakumar (7 February 2020). Rise and Fall of The Maratha Empire 1750-1818. Notion Press. ISBN 9781647839611. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  3. ↑ N. G. Rathod (1994). The Great Maratha Mahadaji Scindia. Sarup & Sons. pp. 163–173. ISBN 9788185431529.
  4. ↑ A. C. Banerjee; D. K. Ghose, eds. (1978). A Comprehensive History of India: Volume Nine (1712–1772). Indian History Congress, Orient Longman. pp. 60–61.
  5. ↑ Sailendra Nath Sen (1998). Anglo-Maratha relations during the administration of Warren Hastings 1772–1785, Volume 1. Popular Prakashan. pp. 7–8. ISBN 9788171545780.
  6. ↑ Chaurasia, Radhey Shyam (1947). History of Modern India: 1707 A.D. up to 2000 A.D.
  7. ↑ Malcolm, John (1823). A Memoir of Central India, Including Malwa, and Adjoining Provinces. Vol. 1. London: Kingsbury, Parbury & Allen. pp. 194–195.
Tukoji Rao Holkar
Born: 1723  Died: 15 August 1797
Regnal titles
Preceded by
Ahilya Bai Holkar 		Maharaja of Indore
1795 – 1797 		Succeeded by
Kashi Rao Holkar
Retrieved from "https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tukoji_Rao_Holkar&oldid=460430"
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