Rarely yes
Punyashloka Ahilyabai Holkar is an example of how one can change in life, and achieve great things through personal devotion, eagerness to learn new things and intelligently developed understanding. A vivid example or an interesting case study of what is being talked about is 360-degree education. This is also the best known example of the importance of women in Indian philosophy. English historian Sir John Malcom writes in his book 'A memoir of Central India' (Vol 1, chapter 7, pp 174), she has, during the troubles of the war, shown unprecedented firmness and energy. Malhar Rao, the Peshwa's subedar, was worried, as all brilliant statesmen are about their heirs. Because, his son Khanderao was of weak character with very average intelligence. In a small village like Chondi, Malhar Rao, on a journey, meets Sushil, daughter of Mankoji Shinde, Ahilya, observes, therefore chooses, he sees the future of his family in this girl. A small village and a family of shepherds, lack of formal education but supreme influence of rites and decency. Malhar Rao identifies a fateful moment. The moment explodes and a woman (who was then a teenager) enters the history of India and the glorious tradition of the Peshwas. Malhar Rao's son was caught up in many addictions and despite all the arrangements for recovery he suffered from Duryodhana's mentality. On the other hand, Ahilyabai was making extraordinary progress in the new environment with her eagerness to learn. An example of Ahilya 360 degree education, which took its vitality from that very bleak environment, from a rural environment, from an ultra-ordinary life surrounded by poverty and deprivation, stands before us from the pages of history. He learns the arrangements of the royal palace, learns the art of cooking, learns horse-riding, learns the lessons of public administration, learns the language of the royal court, learns khatpat and the antics of the kingdom. Initially neglected by Khanderao, but with Malhar Rao's undying affection, good wishes and good faith, the dawn of a new era of Indianness dawns on him. Khanderao is killed in a battle, Malhar Rao stops Ahlyabai, protesting the traditional practice of sati here. Malharwani, 'Tare to take over this kingdom' echoes in Ahilyabai's ears as if it were a time-honour. Ahilyabai's son Malerao is also on the way to Khanderao. Ahilyabai Manoman is greatly distressed by the same mistakes, addictions in personal life and his tendency to openly flout public policy in state administration. When that too dies, the administration of the entire Malwa province falls on the head of Daksha Maharani Ahilyabai. His days of poverty are fresh in his memory, so social harmony remains his basic mantra. A passion for how to develop the underprivileged drives his administration. It is said that Ahilyabai started the systematic efforts in India about scientific agriculture and water management. During this time, the system of instant justice and the poor could easily approach the government was also implanted. Most importantly, Ahilyabai provided an excellent administration of happiness and peace by creating the triple undertaking of preparing an armed army, being ever ready for self-defence, and establishing relations with neighboring kings who were ideologically similar. He was very interested in cultural matters. Along with the restoration of Vishwanath temple in Kashi, many other temples were repaired. Ahilyabai believed that temples are like documents of our cultural heritage, preserving them is like imparting cultural awareness in the heritage to the new generation. Mare Man Ahilyabai is indeed an ideal statesman, her devotion to preserve Hindu culture is also unparalleled… But it becomes a case study, what great results can be achieved by self-motivation in one's life! Among the many examples of women empowerment in the world, this is a very bright chapter of India.
Image Credit: (Divya-Bhaskar): Images/graphics belong to (Divya-Bhaskar).
