INDORE

BRIEF HISTORY

Malharrao Holkar, a distinguished Mahratta military commander and Sardar, received Indore and large territories for his part in the conquest of Malwa in 1733. His descendants were amongst the most important leaders in the Mahratta confederacy. They eventually came into conflict with their former allies, the Peishwa and Scindia of Gwalior in 1802 but joined them again to fight against the British in 1803. Decisively beaten during the Third Anglo-Mahratta War of 1817-1818, the dynasty surrendered large territories to the HEIC. The British intervened in state affairs in 1843 after a series of succession disputes within the family. Two succeeding Maharajas abdicated under embarrassing circumstances. The state acceded to the Dominion of India in 1947 and entered the Madhya Bharat Union in 1948. The Indian government took the view in 1950 that Maharaja Yeshwantrao II's son by his American wife could not succeed to the gadi and he was excluded from the succession. Yeshwantrao II's only daughter, thus became Maharani when he died in 1961.

SALUTE:
19-Guns (21-Guns local)

ARMS:
Khanda (broad-sword) and lance saltire-wise over a field of poppy and wheat in which a sacred bul (Nandi) couchant and a horse rearing.
Crest: a sun in splendour under a Chhatri or royal umbrella.
Copyright© Christopher Buyers
As granted at Delhi in 1877:
Gules; two lances in saltire surmounted or, a horseman's sword pointed upwards argent, in chief three poppy beads proper seeded or. Crest; A bay horse trapped. Supporters: horses trapped proper. Motto: Prahomesho Labhya Shri Kartuh Praradhbat - Umesh (i.e. Lord Shiva) has said, success attends him who strives (or, is obtained by the efforts of the door.

STYLES & TITLES:
The ruling prince: Maharajadhiraj Raj Rajeshwar Sawai Shri (personal name) Holkar Bahadur, Maharaja of Indore, with the style of His Highness.
The Consort of the ruling prince: H.H. Maharani Shrimant Akhand Soubhagyavati (personal name) Sahiba, Maharani of Indore, with the style of Her Highness.
The Heir Apparent: Yuvaraj Shrimant (personal name) Holkar Bahadur.
Younger sons of the ruling prince: Maharajkumar Shrimant (personal name) Holkar Bahadur.
Unmarried daughters of the ruling prince: Maharajkumari Shrimant (personal name) Bai Raje Sahiba.
Married daughters of the ruling prince: Maharajkumari Shrimant Akhand Soubhagyavati (personal name) Bai Raje Sahiba.

RULES OF SUCCESSION:
Primogniture, the issue of legally recognized Mahratta wives taking precedence over others.

ORDERS & DECORATIONS:
The Holkar Order of Merit: Founded by Maharaja Sir Tukojirao III Holkar XIII in February 1914.
The Order of the Ahilya Holkar Sultanat: Founded by by Maharaja Sir Tukojirao III Holkar XIII on 22nd November 1920. Awarded in three classes (Yamin us-Sultanat, Sotun us-Sultanat, and Mashir us-Sultanat).
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SOURCES:
Muntazim Bahadur M.W. Burway, Life of His Highness Maharaja Tukojirao Holkar II, GCSI, Ruler of Indore (1835-1886), Indore, 1925.
Muntazim Bahadur Mukund Wwamanrao Burway, Life of Subedar Malharrao Holkar, Founder of the Indore State (1693-1766 AD), Indore, 1930.
Russell Harris (comp.), The Lafayette Photographic Collection at the V&A Image Library, Kensington, London, 2000.
Captain C.E. Luard (comp.), Chiefs and Leading Families in Central India. The Government of India, Calcutta, 1916.
Captain C.E. Luard (comp.), Indore State Gazetteer. The Central India State Gazetter Series, Byculla, Bombay, 1908.
Tony McClenaghan, Indian Princely Medals: A record of the Orders, Decorations and Medals of the Indian Princely States. Lancer Publications, Spantech & Lancer, New Delhi, 1996.

SPECIAL ASKNOWLEDGEMENT:
Deepak Aggarwal.
Akshay Chavan.
Richard Hutto.
Abhijit Malwade, Mumbai, India.
Father Lawrence Ober, SJ.
 
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I would be grateful to hear from anyone who may have changes, corrections or additions to contribute. If you do, please be kind enough to send me an e-mail using the contact details at: Copyright© Christopher Buyers
 
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Copyright©Christopher Buyers, January 2001 - June 2008