Male Rao Holkar
Shrimant Subhedar Male Rao Holkar II Bahadur (1745 – 5 April 1767), belonging to the Holkar dynasty of the Marathas was the Maharaja of Indore (r.1766 – 1767). He was the only son of Khande Rao Holkar Bahadur, and his mother was Ahilya Bai Holkar.[1]
| Male Rao Holkar | |
|---|---|
| Maharaja of Indore | |
 | |
 2nd Holkar Ruler of Indore | |
| Reign | 1766–1767 |
| Predecessor | Malhar Rao Holkar |
| Successor | Ahilya Bai Holkar |
| Regent | Ahilya Bai Holkar |
| Born | 1745 Depalpur |
| Died | 5 April 1767 (aged 21–22) |
| Spouse | Mainabai and Pirtabai |
| Father | Khande Rao Holkar |
| Mother | Ahilya Bai Holkar |
| Religion | Hinduism |
Male Rao Holkar was Heir apparent to his grand father Malhar Rao Holkar since death of his father Khanderao Holkar in 1754 in Battle of Kumbher.
Life
Since the age of 8–9 years, he used to accompany his father Khanderao Holkar and grandfather Malhar Rao Holkar to various campaigns.
Malerao was a great warrior. Amazed by his sword fighting skills, Malhar Rao gifted him the Jagir of Sultanpur as a reward in 1761-62.
In his reign he was sent for a settlement with Jawahar Singh Jat by the Peshwa and successfully completed it.
He was Married to Mainabai Holkar (nee' Bahad) in 1756 at the age of 11. And later he was married to Pirtabai Holkar (nee' Wagh) in 1765. She was the daughter of Sardar Santaji Wagh , a general in Maratha Army
Death
Male Rao was mentally unwell and died in 1767 due to his disease.[2] A legend says that Malerao had given death sentence to an innocent person thinking that he was the culprit. After knowing the truth about the victim's innocence he became depressed and mentally ill. During the course of illness, He was not able to sleep for 4 months and finally died in 1767 due to this illness.
References
- Jankiraman, M. (2020). Perspectives in Indian History: From the Origins to AD 1857. Notion Press. ISBN 9781649839954.
- "Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya, Indore". dauniv.ac.in. Retrieved 18 April 2022.