The Ahilyabai lake is in Jejuri. It was built by Ahilyabai in 1770. She dedicated it to her father-in-law and mother-in-law. It is a stone structure with strong technical design to ensure water pressure and flow. It stands as a model for water management and is spread over 18 acres. It draws water from several springs in the mountains.

Antaji Mankeshwar had been defending Delhi against Abdali. He urgently sought reinforcements. Malhar Rao was despatched to support Delhi but he took a detour through Rajputana to collect taxes. By the time Malhar Rao reached Agra, Abdali had been successful in looting Delhi. The marathas eventually won and captured Najieeb Khan who was supporting Abdali.

Najib Khan had been installed as a de facto controller of Delhi by Abdali. The Maratha laid a siege on Delhi and eventually captured Najib Ali. Through intermediaries Najib convinced Malhar Rao and offered money in exchange of his freedom. Malhar Rao supported this deal even though the maratha army was against it. Najib was freed but would again ally with Abdalai in the Panipat war. Malhar Rao suffered shame because of these errors. AhilyaBai was instrumental in consoling him and helping him in regaining maratha territories in the north.

Yashwant Holkar was the son of Radhi, the concubine of Tukoji. By the time Ahilyabai died, Tukoji had also become old. Quarrels started among his sons for succession. This was made worse by the palace struggles within the maratha kingdom itself. Eventually, Yashwant rao succeeded.

After the death of Malhar Rao, Ahilyabai’s son Maley Rao reigned for a short period. Tukoji Rao became Subedar after Maley Rao’s death. While he was the subedar, real power was in the hands of Ahilyabai. Tukoji took on the responsibility of war expeditions for the Peshwa. He would travel north and south. He was engaged in the campaign against Tippu Sultan. His support was instrumental in controlling the revolt of Raghoba.

Rajwada palace is an impressive seven storey structure in Indore. Malhar Rao started the construction of the palace in 1747 and it was completed in 1766. It was renovated between 1811 and 1833. A fire and riots in 1984 damaged the palace. Two floors also caved in recently. The palace was opened for visitors again in 2023 after a six year restoration work.

The Holkar dynasty continued till the independence of India. Yashwant Rao Holkar II was the last King and he acceded to the Union of India. On 16th June 1948, the princely State of Indore merged into Madhya Bharat.

The Scindias ruled from Ujjain and Gwalior. The Scindia – Holkar friendship was legendary and it was instrumental in establishing maratha supremacy in northern India. Both Malhar Rao and Ahilyabai steadfastly tried to maintain the friendship. There were occasional incidents of mistrust and internal fighting, but the friendship endured throughout the reign of Malhar Rao and Ahilyabai.

Rao Nandlal was the revenue collector for the northern region for Mughals upto the river Narmada. He stayed in Indore. He was dejected by the cruel rule of Daya Bahadur, the subedar of Mughal emperor Muhammad Shah. Therefore, when Peshwa Bajirao was looking to expand the maratha empire, Rao Nandlal invited him to attack Malwa and establish Hindavi self rule. Peshwa Bajirao sensed an opportunity and sent Malhar Rao Holkar with a large army to attach Malwa. With the co-operation of Rao Nandlal, Malwa was won over by the marathas.

The differences between Tukoji and Ahilyabai kept growing. Tukoji had not been contributing to the treasury and was retaining war loot with himself. Due to growing differences with Ahilyabai, Tukoji wished to give up the Subedarship. He requested that his son Malhar Rao be made Subedar. Ahilyabai refused as she considered him lacking in integrity. She appointed his other Son Kashi Rao as Subedar and his nephew Bapu Holkar as the Commander-in-Chief. The formal appointment by Peshwa was not completed due to the sudden demise of Mahadji Shinde in Pune.