Harkuaai was the unwedded wife of Malhar Rao. She had married his sword (hence Khandarani) as per custom and was therefore referred to as Mahalarrao’s wife. She was just four years older to Ahilyabai and was a constant companion to her.

Maleyrao was the only son of Ahilyabai, but was lost to wasteful habits.

Ahilyabai was brought into the Holkar family as the wife of Khanderao, the son of Malhar Rao. However, Khanderao had wasteful habits, was a drunkard and drug addict. He also had several concubines. Though Ahilyabai had two children, her married life was a disappointment and she was always wistful that she never felt what love is.

Ahilyabai adopted Tukoji after the death of her husband and son. Tukoji was Malhar Rao’s nephew and was also considered as his son. Ahilyabai adopted him and made him Subedhar. They had a very uneasy relationship. Tukoji would have lavish personal expenses and would fail to credit the share of Peshwas from battle loots.

Yashwant Phanse was married to the only daughter of Ahilyabai. He was courageous and may have become the Subedhar as Ahilyabai’s son had also died. Unfortunately, Cholera took Yashawant’s life at a very young age. This devastated Ahilyabai, who would also lose her daughter Mukta to the custom of Sati.

Nathoba was the son of Ahilyabai’s daughter Mukta and Yashwant. He was continuously ill and was a weak child. He had tuberculosis died in the year1790, at a very young age of 23; and without children. Both his wives committed Sati with him.

Gangoba was the accountant for the Holkar dynasty. He was very much impressed by the integrity and welfare orientation of Ahilyabai. Whenever the male members wanted to access the official wealth for personal expenses, Ahilyabai will instruct Gangoba not to accept the request.

Malhar Rao waged expeditions with renewed vigour after the Maratha defeat at the Battle of Panipat. He spent five years raiding northern India. Malhar received an injury in the battle of Mangrol. He died at Alampur in Madhya Pradesh in 1766. Khande Rao had of course died before. Tukoji Holkar and Maley Rao were with Malhar Rao when he died. Malhar appointed Maley Rao as his successor and Tukoji Holkar as Maley Rao’s guardian.

The Diwan appointed by Malhar Rao, Gangadhar Pant Chadrachur, advised Ahilyabai to adopt a son who will become Sardar. However, Ahilyabai realized it would mean the real power would shift to the officials, and refused. Gangadhar Pant wrote to Raghunath Rao Peshwa advising him to invade and conquer the State. Ahilyabai then sought the help of Scindias, Gaikwad and Bhonsales. All of them were loyal to the legacy of Malhar Rao and agreed to support her. Ahilyabai also obtained approval of Madhava Rao Peshwa to defend her State. She also raised an a compact woman army. With the odds staked against him, Raghunath Rao conceded defeat, left his army behind and visited Ahilyabai to offer his condolences for the death of her son. With this move, Ahilyabai had cemented her position as Rajmata of Indore. Later on, she would also snub Raghunath Rao’s efforts to usurp the Peshwa throne after the murder of Narayanrao Peshwa; and also warned him strictly against taking British support. On the death of Raghunath Rao, Ahilyabai would remark that an eclipse had passed over and that a traitor is no more.

Law and order had deteriorated in the kingdom after the Panipat war. Bhil tribals were causing trouble. Tribal thieves and robbers were rampant robbing travellers. In an open court room, Ahilyabai declared that she will marry her daughter Mukta to the person who controls the bandits. This was in total disregard to the then custom of royalty, caste, ancestry etc. Yashwant Rao Phanse took up the challenge on the condition that he be provided with resources and manpower.