Indore State

Quick Facts: Who was Indore State?

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Indore State

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A historical princely state in Madhya Pradesh, ruled by the Holkar dynasty.

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Origins & Early Life

Indore State was a kingdom within the Maratha Empire ruled by the Maratha Holkar dynasty. After 1857, Indore became a 19-gun salute princely state within the Central India Agency of the Indian Empire under British protection. Indore State was located in the present-day Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, with its capital at the city of Indore. The state had an area of 24,605 km2 and a population of 1,325,089 in 1931. Other important towns besides Indore were Rampura, Khargone, Maheshwar, Mehidpur, Barwaha, and Bhanpura; there were a total of 3,368 villages.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

By 1720, the headquarters of the local pargana was transferred from Kampel to Indore due to the increasing commercial activity in the city. On 18 May 1724, the Nizam accepted the rights of the Maratha Peshwa Baji Rao I to collect chauth (taxes) from the area. In 1733, the Peshwa assumed full control of Malwa and appointed his commander Malhar Rao Holkar as the subahdar of the province. On 29 July 1732, Bajirao Peshwa-I granted Holkar State by granting 28 and a half parganas to Malhar Rao Holkar, the founding ruler of the Holkar dynasty. His daughter-in-law Ahilyabai Holkar moved the state's capital to Maheshwar in 1767, but Indore remained an important commercial and military centre.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

After the defeat of the Holkar rulers in the Third Anglo-Maratha War, an agreement was signed on 6 January 1818 with the British and the Indore State became a British protectorate. The Holkar dynasty was able to continue to rule Indore as a princely state mainly owing to the efforts of Dewan Tatya Jog. The capital was moved from Maheshwar to Indore on 3 November 1818 and the Indore Residency, a political residency with a British resident, was established in the city. Later, Indore would be established as the headquarters of the British Central India Agency. In 1906, electrical infrastructure was installed in the city while a fire brigade was established in 1909.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1720: 1720 Milestone — By 1720, the headquarters of the local pargana was transferred from Kampel to Indore due to the increasing commercial activity in the city.
2. 1724: 1724 Milestone — On 18 May 1724, the Nizam accepted the rights of the Maratha Peshwa Baji Rao I to collect chauth (taxes) from the area.
3. 1732: 1732 Milestone — On 29 July 1732, Bajirao Peshwa-I granted Holkar State by granting 28 and a half parganas to Malhar Rao Holkar, the founding ruler of the Holkar dynasty.
4. 1733: 1733 Milestone — In 1733, the Peshwa assumed full control of Malwa and appointed his commander Malhar Rao Holkar as the subahdar of the province.
5. 1767: 1767 Milestone — His daughter-in-law Ahilyabai Holkar moved the state's capital to Maheshwar in 1767, but Indore remained an important commercial and military centre.
6. 1818: 1818 Milestone — After the defeat of the Holkar rulers in the Third Anglo-Maratha War, an agreement was signed on 6 January 1818 with the British and the Indore State became a British protectorate.
7. 1857: 1857 Milestone — After 1857, Indore became a 19-gun salute princely state within the Central India Agency of the Indian Empire under British protection.
8. 1906: 1906 Milestone — In 1906, electrical infrastructure was installed in the city while a fire brigade was established in 1909.
9. 1931: 1931 Milestone — The state had an area of 24,605 km2 and a population of 1,325,089 in 1931.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Indore State

True or False: “The Indore State was continuously governed by a single ruling family from its inception until 1948.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While the Holkar dynasty held significant power, the state's administration saw numerous changes in Diwans and Prime Ministers over time.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Indore State