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Yashwant Rao Holkar is known for many things. He is the most efficient and able ruler of the Holkar dynasty who would later go on to effectively unite the entire Maratha confederacy to even bow down to the British Boots. This is, however, the story behind his ascent to power.
Born on 3rd December 1776
Great rulers often have a complicated history and an even more complicated rise to power, the story of Yashwant Rao Holkar was no different. The Holkar dynasty of Indore was under a perpetual doldrums of succession politics. It went through an era of political instability before it was finally united by Yashwant Rao Holkar.
This period of doldrums started right from the death of Queen Ahilyabai Holkar, who is lauded as the greatest queen in Indian history. Before her death, her son Male Rao had died succumbing to mental illness. It was under the responsible commander in chief Tukoji Rao that the Holkar dynasty got another leader. However, he lived for a short period of time and could rule for only two years. Tukoji Rao however had four sons – Yashwant Rao, Malhar Rao, Kashi Rao and Vithoji Rao. After the death of their father, the four brothers lost all sense of fraternity and got involved in power politics.
Kashi Rao ascended the throne because his father preferred but he was a man of music and arts and not an able ruler at all, his brother along with his people vastly wanted to do away with his rule.
However, Kashi Rao would not give up his throne. Soon Vithoji and Yashwant Rao would join to oppose him. As an answer to this, Kashi Rao would join alliances with the Scindias who despised the Holkars and had a history of double-dealing with the British. As a result of this, Malhar Rao also joined hands with the Peshwas. A cauldron of politics was slowly developing.
Suddenly on 14th September 1797, Malhar Rao was killed by a Scindian attack and his pregnant wife was taken, hostage. This wiped out the claim to the throne according to Kashi Ram or so he thought.
As a result of this attack, Yashwant Rao and his brother Vithoji compromised and chose to take refuge under Raghoji II Bhonsle of Nagpur. News of this ultimately reached the Scindias who then ordered Bhonsle to imprison Yashwant Rao.
Through his cunning deceit and excellent networks, Yashwant Rao formed a liaison with Bhawani Rao Khatri in prison who later helped him escape the prison. Khatri did this because he owed Yashwant a favour in lieu of his role in curbing a rebellion in the territory of Khatri.
It was finally in January 1799, that the path of Yashwant Rao was finally clear for him to assume the role of the king of Holkars. He had the unfettered support of the masses, his remaining family members as well as the nobility. He wielded enormous power and wielded it for his country alone. His role in making the British bow down to his orders is a tale for some other time!
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