Indian Railways has renamed the Ahmednagar railway station in the Pune division of Central Railway as Ahilyanagar, paying tribute to Lokmata Devi Ahilya Bai
Holkar, in line with the Maharashtra government's decision to rename Ahmednagar as Ahilyanagar. The station previously known as Ahmednagar has now been officially renamed as Ahilyanagar. Last week, the Maharashtra government issued a notification renaming Ahmednagar railway station as Ahilyanagar following approval from the Union Home Ministry. The state government had earlier renamed Ahmednagar district as Ahilyanagar district. "The station previously known as Ahmednagar has now been officially renamed as Ahilyanagar," the Central Railway said in a release. "There will be no change in the station code, and Ahilyanagar will continue with the same station code, ANG," the release stated. Accordingly, as per the notification of Maharashtra Government and the letter of Surveyor General of India, the new name of the station will be read and written in the following manner: In Devanagari script (Marathi): ahilyaangr
Who was Ahilyabai Holkar?
According to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Central Government, Rajmata Ahilyabai Holkar was the Holkar Maharani of the Malwa Kingdom. She is considered one of the most visionary female rulers of India. In the 18th century, as the Maharani of Malwa, she played an important role in spreading the message of religion and promoting industrialization. She is widely known for her intelligence, courage and administrative skills.
Born on May 31, 1725 in Chondi village of Jamkhed, Ahmednagar (Maharashtra), Ahilya came from a very simple family. Her father, Mankoji Rao Shinde, was the village head and taught her to read and write. Even at a young age, her simplicity and firmness of character caught the attention of King Malhar Rao Holkar of the Malwa region. He was so impressed with young Ahilya that in 1733 he married her to his son Khanderao Holkar.
(With agency Inputs)
