Special Lecture at IIAS Shimla Marks 300th Birth Anniversary of Rajmata Ahilyabai Holkar

Shimla, May 13:
The Indian Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS), Shimla, hosted a special lecture on Tuesday to commemorate the 300th birth anniversary of Lokmata Ahilyabai Holkar. Held under the theme “Ahilyabai Holkar: A Universal Symbol of Women’s Empowerment,” the event featured renowned academic and former IIAS Chairperson Prof. Chandrakala Padia as the keynote speaker. The program was organized under the aegis of the Lokmata Ahilyabai Trishatabdi Samaroh Samiti.

In her lecture, Prof. Padia emphasized that Ahilyabai Holkar was far more than a ruler — she embodied cultural consciousness, ethical leadership, and visionary governance. At a time when women were rarely seen in positions of power, Ahilyabai carved a distinct path by making justice, service, and religious tolerance the cornerstones of her administration.

Prof. Padia noted that Ahilyabai’s rule was deeply rooted in public welfare. She commissioned the construction of temples, rest houses, educational institutions, wells, and riverfronts across the country. From the reconstruction of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple to the preservation of southern pilgrimage sites, her initiatives symbolized cultural unity and heritage preservation.

Reflecting on her legacy, Prof. Padia said Ahilyabai Holkar was a heroine who defied the limitations of patriarchy and redefined leadership through a unique balance of compassion, principle, and strength.

The event opened with a welcome address by IIAS Vice President Prof. Shailendra Raj Mehta, who described Ahilyabai’s life as a beacon of inspiration for today’s generation. Chairing the session, Governing Body President Prof. Shashiprabha Kumar called Ahilyabai a “trinity of duty, compassion, and cultural renaissance.”

The program was coordinated by IIAS Public Relations Officer Akhilesh Pathak, who paid tribute to Ahilyabai as a “living ideology” and honored her legacy through evocative poetry.