Shrimant Subhedar Male Rao Holkar was born in 1745. He was the only son of Khande Rao Holkar Bahadur, and his mother was Ahilya Bai Holkar.

Male Rao Holkar – Son of Ahilyabai Holkar

Shrimant Subhedar Male Rao Holkar was born in 1745. He belonged 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.

After the death of his grandfather Malhar Rao Holkar in 1766, only 12 years after when his(Malerao’s) father Khanderao Holkar died.

NameMale Roa Holkar
Born1745
FatherKhanderao Holkar Bahadur
MotherAhilya Bai Holkar
GrandfatherMalharrao Holkar
Death5 April 1767
Reason of DeathInsanity
Other Related PeopleTukoji Rao Holkar (Uncle)
Kashi Rao Holkar (Cousin)

Famous Story about Male Rao Holkar

Once, when the chariot of Male Rao, was on his way to Indore, Madhya Pradesh, a newborn calf came in his way. The cow was standing at a distance from the calf on the side of the road. The calf being hit by Male Rao chariot, bled to death. The cow came and sat next to the calf on the road.

After some time Ahilyabai left. When she saw the cow sitting next to the dead calf, it was not too late for them to realize that the calf had died in an accident. They came to know about the death of the calf. On learning the whole incident, Ahilyabai asked Male Rao’s wife, Menawai, in the court, ‘What punishment should a person get if he kills his son in front of a mother?’ Male Rao’s wife replied, ‘He should be punished.’

Ahilyabai asked Malorao to tie his hands and feet and put him on the road and then ordered that Male Rao’s be crushed to death with a chariot. No charioteer was ready to do it. Ahilyabai was just. She says that when no charioteer came forward, she herself boarded the chariot to do it.

She had just moved on to the chariot when an unexpected incident took place. The same cow stood in front of Ahilyabai’s chariot. She would be removed again and again, but she would come back to the chariot and stand up.

Seeing this, the Minister told Queen Ahilyabai, ‘Perhaps even this silent cow does not want this to happen to another mother’s son. So, she is begging you for mercy for Maloji. The place where the incident took place in Indore is still known as ‘Ada Bazar.”

Death of Male Rao Holkar

On 5 April 1767, Male Rao sank into insanity and died within a year of succession.

Male Rao Holkar was appointed as the ruler and Ahilyabai being the regent. Male Rao was insane, cruel, and incompetent. In one story, he put scorpions into the shoes of some courtiers, and they were bitten and died. Ahilyabai herself sentenced him to death for this mistake and he was crushed beneath the foot of an elephant.

How did Male Rao Holkar died?

On 5 April 1767, Male Rao Holkar sank into insanity and dies within a year of succession. In one story, he put scorpions into the shoes of some courtiers, and they were bitten and died. Ahilyabai herself sentenced him to death for this mistake and he was crushed beneath the foot of an elephant.

Who was Male Rao Holkar wife?

There is not much details but according to one story, she was named as Menawai.

At what age Male Rao Holkar died?

Male Rao Holkar died at the age of 22.

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