Ahilyabai Holkar a Symbol of Good Governance and Cultural Consciousness: Dr Balamukund Pandey

• Dr Balamukund Pandey calls Ahilyabai Holkar a symbol of good governance and justice.
• Book Lokmata Ahilyabai Holkar released at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
• Scholars describe her rule as a model of ethical and welfare-oriented administration.
• The book documents her role in reviving major pilgrimage centres across India.

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 14th Jan: National Organising Secretary of the Akhil Bharatiya Itihas Sankalan Yojana, Dr Balamukund Pandey, on Monday described Lokmata Ahilyabai Holkar as a powerful symbol of good governance, justice and cultural renaissance in Indian history, saying her life continues to inspire contemporary administration and society.

He was speaking at the release of the book Lokmata Ahilyabai Holkar at Bharat Mandapam during the World Book Fair. The event was held on January 12, 2026, at Hall No. 5, C-02. The book has been authored by historian Ajay Kumar Singh.

Chief guest Prof. Himanshu Chaturvedi, Director of the Indian Institute of Advanced Study, Shimla, said Ahilyabai Holkar’s reign stands as an outstanding example of ethical governance and public welfare in India’s political tradition, adding that the book would be highly useful for researchers and students.

Saraswat guest Prof. S.P. Bansal, Vice-Chancellor of the Central University of Himachal Pradesh, Dharamshala, said the work provides a strong academic foundation to understand the role of women leadership in Indian history.

Special guest Mahendra Kumar, Senior Vice-President of the Akhil Bharatiya Rashtriya Shaikshik Mahasangh, termed the book a significant contribution to strengthening national consciousness and cultural awareness.

The programme was conducted by Prof. Rakesh Manjul, while Prashant Jain, Manager of Kitabwale, honoured the guests. Several academicians and researchers, including Prof. Ramesh Mishra, Dr Shabd Prakash and Dr Ajay Kumar, were present.

The book presents in detail the administrative, social and religious contributions of the 18th-century ruler Ahilyabai Holkar. As the Holkar queen of Malwa, she set an example of just, liberal and welfare-oriented governance, developed Maheshwar as a cultural centre, and played a historic role in the revival of major pilgrimage sites such as Kashi Vishwanath, Somnath, Kedarnath, Rameswaram, Puri and Dwarka. Through temples, dharamshalas, wells and annadan institutions, she made public service the foundation of her rule.

The publication is a compilation of research papers presented at a two-day national seminar organised on her 300th birth anniversary. Author Ajay Kumar Singh holds an MA and PhD in Medieval and Modern History from Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gorakhpur University. He has served as a Post-Doctoral Fellow of the Indian Council of Social Science Research, New Delhi, and as a Senior Fellow of the Indian Council of Historical Research. He has participated in over 55 national and international conferences and has more than 50 research papers published in reputed journals. Currently, he is an Assistant Professor in the Department of History and Coordinator of the Deendayal Upadhyaya Study Centre at Shyam Lal College, University of Delhi.