Maharashtra: Ahmednagar To Be Renamed Ahilyadevi Holkar Nagar
AHMEDNAGAR, (IANS) – In a major announcement, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said on May 31 that the name of Ahmednagar district shall be changed to ‘Ahilyadevi Holkar Nagar’ in memory of the great queen of Malwa state who ruled from 1767-1795.
The announcement came on her 298 birth anniversary celebrations at Chaundi, the village where Ahilyadevi was born on May 31, 1725, which was attended by Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis.
“We have taken a decision to change the name of Ahmednagar after Ahilyadevi Holkar… It’s the desire of all the people here,” Shinde said, as the large crowd roared its approval.
Shinde said he was fortunate to earlier change the name of Aurangabad to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Osmanabad as Dharashiv and now Ahmednagar will become Ahilyadevi Holkar Nagar n.
A ruler of the Maratha Empire, Queen Ahilyadevi Holkar ascended the Malwa state throne after the deaths of her husband Khanderao Holkar, her father-in-law Malharrao Holkar and her son Malerao Holkar, aged barely 22.
During her 28-year-long reign – considered the golden period of the Maratha Empire – she did a lot for the tillers and ordinary folks, built or restored temples, defended the state, and its people, and even led battles against the Mughals with her trusted team headed by her nephew Tukoji Holkar, to carve her own niche in history.
Maneck Bhujwala
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I watch the TV Serial regularly every weekday on Rani Ahilyabai Holkar’s life and achievements and I am happy to know that her name is given to her birth place. I thought Tukoji Holkar was her cousin and not her nephew.
May 31, 2023Anil
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ahilyanagar please!
May 31, 2023The railways station will need a new HUGE board otherwise.
Vijay
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Makes sense. Most likely it will not happen since common sense is in short supply in India!
May 31, 2023Ram Tewari
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Size matters. Full name is to included. There are other costs associated with the name change. For historical purposes, that should be borne. If invaders gave the name, that has to be corrected. This change will highlight the past history and a great strides made by Rani Ahilyabai Holkar. Glory of women queens and warriors have to be told. It is part of our heritage. I wish only Bharat should be used instead of India.
May 31, 2023Vijay
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It is about time. There are other cities that require name changes, example: Aligarh may be changed to Hanuman Garh!
May 31, 2023Rakesh K Jain
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Makes sense. She was great ruler and came from a ordinary background. She did so much for woman empowerment and ordinary people.
May 31, 2023Hupender
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There are lots to do other than name change.
June 4, 2023