Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday unveiled a special ₹300 coin to commemorate the 300th birth anniversary of Lokmata Devi Ahilyabai Holkar, the revered 18th-century ruler of Malwa. The coin was released during the Women Empowerment Maha Sammelan at Jamboree Maidan in Bhopal.
The commemorative coin, issued by the Union Ministry of Culture, bears an embossed image of Ahilyabai Holkar, paying tribute to her enduring legacy. An official gazette notification regarding the release of the special-edition coin was issued by the Ministry of Finance.
Before unveiling the coin, Prime Minister Modi garlanded the statue of Devi Ahilyabai Holkar and paid his respects.
As part of the celebrations, the Prime Minister also presented the Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Prize to Dr. Jaymati Kashyap from Bastar, Chhattisgarh. Dr. Kashyap was recognised for her work in preserving the Gondi language and rescuing women from human trafficking.
Born on May 31, 1725, in Chondi, Maharashtra, Ahilyabai Holkar is remembered for her enlightened rule and progressive social reforms. After the untimely deaths of her husband and son, she assumed the throne of Indore in 1767 and governed for nearly three decades.
During her reign, she promoted trade, restored temples, and advanced infrastructure projects, including the reconstruction of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple—efforts that earned her the title of the “Philosopher Queen of Malwa.”
The event in Bhopal marked the culmination of ten days of commemorative activities held across Madhya Pradesh, celebrating her contributions to society.
Addressing the large gathering, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav reiterated his government’s commitment to women’s empowerment and inclusive development.
Prime Minister Modi’s visit also marked his first public appearance in Bhopal following the success of ‘Operation Sindoor’, India’s recent military operation targeting cross-border terrorism.
