Malhar Rao Holkar
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| Malhar Rao Holkar | |
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| 1693-03-16 – 1766-04-20 | |
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| Place of birth | Jejuri, Pune District |
| Allegiance | Maratha Empire |
| Rank | Subedar |
| Relations | Bai Sahib Holkar (wife) Bana Bai Sahib Holkar (wife) Dwarka Bai Sahib Holkar (wife) Harku Bai Sahib Holkar Bhojirajrao Bargal (uncle) Malerao Holkar II (grandson) Unnamed son and two daughters |
Malhar Rao Holkar (16 March 1693 - 20 May 1766) was a noble of the Maratha Empire, in present day India.
[edit] Biography
He was born at Hol, near Jejuri, Pune District on 16 March 1693, to Shrimant Khanduji Holkar, of Vir.
He along with Balaji Vishwanath (later was honoured by appointing as the Peshwa), Baji Rao I, Santaji Bhosale, Dabhade, Balaji Pant Bhanu assisted a young Shahu to consolidate his grip on an empire that had been racked by civil war and persistent attack by the Mughals under Aurangzeb.
He rose from shepherd origins by his own ability.[1] He was appointed by the Peshwa as one of the three sardars charged with collecting the revenues of Malwa in 1724. In 1726, he was appointed to the command of 5,000 strong cavalry, and in 1728, he was granted a jagir of eleven mahals. He was appointed as the Chief of the Army together with the Sarjami of seventy four parganas on 3rd October 1730. He was granted two regions of Malwa on 2nd November 1731. His grants were made hereditary to his issue by Gautama Bai, who also received Maheshwar, Indore and nine other villages on 20 January 1734.
One of the foremost commanders of the Maratha confedaracy, he participated in the great victory near Delhi in 1736, and the defeat of the Nizam at Tal Bhopal in 1738. He also wrested Bassein from the Portuguese in 1739. He received Rampura, Bhanpura and Tonk in 1743, for the assistance given to Sawai Madho Singh of Jaipur in his contest with Ishwari Singh. Granted an Imperial Sardeshmuckhi for Chandore, for his gallantry in the Rohilla campaign of 1748.
Malharrao Holkar, Jayappa Scindia, Gangadhar Tatya, Tukojirao Holkar, Khanderao Holkar went to help Safdarjung against Shadulla Khan, Ahmed Khan Bangash, Mohamud Khan, Bahadur Khan Rohilla as per the directions of Peshwa. In the Battle of Fatthegad and Farukhabad they defeated the Rohillas and Bangash (March 1751-April 1752). When Moghul Emperor came to know that Ahmedshah Abdali had attacked Punjab in December 1751 he asked Safdarjung to make peace with Rohillas and Bangash. On 12th April 1752 Safdarjung agreed to help Mahrattas but Emperor didn’t ratify it and Emperor signed a treaty with Ahmedshah Abdali on 23rd April 1752. However Peshwa asked Malharrao Holkar to return to Pune as Salabat Khan had attacked Pune.
The Marathas had attacked Kumher Fort on 20 January 1754 AD. They besieged the Kumher Fort till 18 May 1754. The war continued for about four months. During the war Khanderao Holkar, son of Malharrao Holkar, was one day inspecting his army in an open palanquin, when he was fired upon from the fort and a cannonball hit him and he was killed on 17 March 1754. Malhar Rao got very angry on the death of his only son and wanted to take revenge and vowed that he would cut off the head of Maharaja Suraj Mal and throw the soil of fort into Yamuna after destroying it. Marathas increased the pressure and Suraj Mal defended pacifly. Suraj Mal was isolated and 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 the diplomatic efforts.
She contacted Diwan Roop Ram Katara. She knew that there is a strong enmity between Malharrao Holkar and Jayappa Sindhia and that Jayappa Sindhia was very firm in 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 letter of Maharaja Suraj Mal with a proposal of a treaty. Jayappa Sindhia assured to assist and contacted Raghunathrao. Raghunathrao in turn advised Holkar for treaty with Suraj Mal. Malhar Rao Holkar assessed the situation and consented for treaty due to fear of isolation and severe war. This led to a treaty between both rulers on 18 May 1754. This treaty proved very beneficial for Maharaja Suraj Mal. [2]
Malharrao Holkar, Raghunathrao, Shamsher Bahadur, Gangadhar Tatya, Sakharambapu, Naroshankar, Maujiram Bania, attacked Delhi on 11 August 1757 and defeated Najib Khan and Ahmed Khan became the Mir Bakshi in his place. In March 1758 they conquered Sarhind, On 20 April 1758 Malharrao Holkar and Raghunathrao Conquered Lahore. Tukojirao Holkar Conquered Attock. Sabaji Scindia , Vitthal Shivdev meet them at Peshawar. Raghunathrao and Malharrao Holkar returned from Punjab.
He was raised to the rank of Subedar in 1757.
It is alleged that he fled the battle-field in the Third Battle of Panipat (14/01/1761). It is written by many historians that he fought courageously in the battle-field. It is also written that Sadashivrao Bhau had entrusted him the job of saving Parvatibai as soon as told to do so. When Vishwasrao was killed and Sadashivrao Bhau felt they were about to be defeated he sent a message to Malharrao to immediately act as per directions and leave the battlefield. Malharrao acted as per the directions of Sadashivrao and saved Parvatibai. If it was so, as alleged, then Peshwa would have never returned the Subedari to Malharrao. Malharrao was considered to be the right hand of Peshwa.
He set aside personal enimity with Surajmal Jat, who killed his son Khanderao, for the sake of Maratha Confederation. Moreover Malharrao Holkar and Surajmal Jat had advised Sadashivraobhau to use the Guerrilla warfare against Ahmedshah Abdali instead of direct war which was ridiculed by Bhau. Nana Phadnawis has stated that at that time Bhau didn't show his usual cleverness and rejected the advise of Malharrao Holkar and Surajmal Jat.
He married Gautama Bai Sahib Holkar (d. 29 September 1761) in 1717. She was the daughter of his uncle, Shrimant Sardar Bhojirajrao Bargal, of Talode. He also married Bana Bai Sahib Holkar, Dwarka Bai Sahib Holkar, Harku Bai Sahib Holkar, a Khanda Rani. He died at Alampur, 20 May 1766, and was succeeded by his grandson,Malerao Holkar II having had issue one son and two daughters. He is considered as one of the architects of Maratha control over India.
Malharao Hokar's tomb is located in Alampur ( Tahasil - Laar, District- Bhind M.P.) in neglected state.
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