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| Tukoji Rao I Holkar | |
|---|---|
| Template:Easy CSS image crop Portrait of Tukoji Rao, early 19th century | |
 4th Holkar Ruler of Indore | |
| Reign |
|
| Predecessor | Ahilyabai Holkar |
| Successor | Kashi Rao Holkar |
| Commander-in-Chief of Indore | |
| Years of Service | 1767 – 1795 |
| Born | 26 June 1723 |
| Died | 15 August 1797 (aged 74) Pune, Maharashtra, India |
| Spouses |
|
| Issue |
|
| House | Holkar |
| Father | Malhar Rao Holkar (adoptive) Tanuji Holkar (biological) |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance | Maratha Empire |
| Rank | Senapati |
| Battles/wars | See list
|
Tukoji Rao I Holkar (26 June 1723 – 15 August 1797) was the Maharaja of Indore from 1795 until his death in 1797, belonging to the Holkar clan. He was the great-nephew and adoptive son of dynastic founder Malhar Rao. He served as commander of forces for 27 years before briefly occupying the throne.[1]
Life and career[edit | edit source]
Upon Ahilyabai Holkar’s death in August 1795, Tukoji Rao Holkar succeeded her as Maharaja of Indore and reigned until his own death in August 1797. Tukoji Rao gained responsibility of the principality at a time of crisis. Contemporary Maratha records describe Tukoji Rao Holkar as a trusted commander‑in‑chief under Malhar Rao Holkar, and it is reported that Malhar Rao expressed confidence in him on his deathbed. Malhar Rao said, "You are the only one who can uphold my name and protect Prince Male Rao Holkar [grandson of Malhar Rao] after my death." However, Male Rao also had a very short life span. He died on 13 March 1767 due to sickness. At this juncture, Tukoji Rao submitted himself to the service of the ruling queen of Indore, Ahilyabai, and she could withstand the challenges she had in the service of her people of Malwa. Ahilyabai also respected him as her brother-in-law, as Tukoji Rao was the adopted son of Malhar Rao Holkar I.[2]
Tukoji Rao Holkar I served as a commander under Malhar Rao Holkar I and later as Commander-in-Chief during Ahilyabai Holkar's reign. During this period, he managed military and administrative duties for the Holkar state. He was popular with the people of Malwa and the territories comprising the Holkar State continued to be prosperous for nearly two years after the death of Ahilya Bai.[citation needed]
He actively participated in the conquests of Punjab and fought in the Battles of Lahore, Attock, and Peshawar, in which he commanded many of the Maratha forces in the Punjab region and the frontier regions of Attock and Peshawar. Historical accounts indicate that Holkar participated in operations in the northwest, including actions near Jalalabad against Afghan commanders. Following the Maratha defeat at the Third Battle of Panipat, he was involved in the Maratha Resurrection, and subsequently in the First Anglo-Maratha War, after which his relation with Mahadaji Scindia deteriorated.[3]
Shah Alam spent six years in the Allahabad fort. After the capture of Delhi in 1771 by the Marathas, he left for his capital under their protection.[4] He was escorted to Delhi by Mahadaji Shinde, and left Allahabad in May 1771. During their short stay, Marathas constructed two temples in the Allahabad city, one of them being the famous Alopi Devi Mandir. However, after reaching Delhi in January 1772 and realizing the Maratha intent of territorial encroachment, Shah Alam ordered his general Mirza Najaf Khan to drive them out. In retaliation, Tukoji Rao Holkar and Visaji Krushna Biniwale attacked Delhi and defeated Mughal forces in 1772. The Marathas were granted an imperial sanad for Kora and Allahabad. They turned their attention to Oudh to gain these two territories. Shuja was, however, unwilling to give them up and made appeals to the English. As such, the Marathas did not fare well at the Battle of Ramghat.[5] The Maratha and British armies fought in Ramghat, but the sudden demise of the Peshwa and the civil war in Pune to choose the next Peshwa forced the Maratha to retreat.[6]
Tukoji Rao died on 15 August 1797. Historical records note that he did not use a personal seal during his lifetime, maintaining the administrative style of Malhar Rao’s lineage.[7]
In popular culture[edit | edit source]
- In the 1994 Hindi TV series The Great Maratha, Tukoji's character was portrayed by Sanjay Mahendirata.
- In 2021-22 Hindi TV series Punyashlok Ahilyabai, James Naivedhya Ghadge played the role of young Tukoji Rao Holkar followed by Siddharth Bannerjee initially and then Sandeep Vasantrao Gaikwad.
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ "Holkar dynasty". Encyclopedia Britannica. 19 March 2024. Archived from the original on 21 March 2026. Retrieved 21 March 2026.
- ↑ Sanish Nandakumar (7 February 2020). Rise and Fall of The Maratha Empire 1750-1818. Notion Press. ISBN 9781647839611. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
- ↑ N. G. Rathod (1994). The Great Maratha Mahadaji Scindia. Sarup & Sons. pp. 163–173. ISBN 9788185431529.
- ↑ A. C. Banerjee; D. K. Ghose, eds. (1978). A Comprehensive History of India: Volume Nine (1712–1772). Indian History Congress, Orient Longman. pp. 60–61.
- ↑ Sailendra Nath Sen (1998). Anglo-Maratha relations during the administration of Warren Hastings 1772–1785, Volume 1. Popular Prakashan. pp. 7–8. ISBN 9788171545780.
- ↑ Chaurasia, Radhey Shyam (1947). History of Modern India: 1707 A.D. up to 2000 A.D.
- ↑ Malcolm, John (1823). A Memoir of Central India, Including Malwa, and Adjoining Provinces. Vol. 1. London: Kingsbury, Parbury & Allen. pp. 194–195.
Tukoji Rao Holkar Born: 1723 Died: 15 August 1797
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| Regnal titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Ahilya Bai Holkar |
Maharaja of Indore 1795 – 1797 |
Succeeded by Kashi Rao Holkar |
