The ceremony took place at the Women Empowerment Maha Sammelan, which was hosted at Jamboree Maidan in Bhopal.
This ₹300 commemorative coin was released by the Union Ministry of Culture, and showcases a delicately embossed portrait of Ahilyabai Holkar, symbolising her long-lasting influence on Indian history. The Ministry of Finance announced the issue of this special-edition coin in a gazette.
Before unveiling the special coin, Prime Minister Modi paid tribute by garlanding the statue of Devi Ahilyabai Holkar. He also awarded the Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Prize to Dr. Jaymati Kashyap of Bastar, Chhattisgarh, for her dedicated efforts towards preserving the endangered Gondi language and her daring struggle to protect women from human trafficking.
Devi Ahilyabai Holkar, born in 1725 in Chondi, Maharashtra, took over leadership of Indore in 1767 following the deaths of her husband and son. She ruled for about 30 years and was noted for her progressive policies, infrastructure development, and temple restoration initiatives, including the well-known Kashi Vishwanath temple. Her reign earned her the moniker “Philosopher Queen of Malwa.”
During the programme, the PM also virtually inaugurated the Super Priority Corridor of Indore Metro, Datia and Satna airports and laid the foundation stone of various developmental projects. Ahilyabai Holkar, the revered queen of the Holkar dynasty in 18th-century Malwa, is remembered for her exceptional governance, commitment to social welfare, and contributions towards culture and spirituality.
