Malhar Rao Holkar

Malhar Rao Holkar
Malhar Rao Holkar I
Born	16 March 1693 Jejuri, Pune District
Died	20 May 1766 (aged 73)
Allegiance	Maratha Empire
Rank	Subedar / Peshwa's chief general
Relations	Bai Sahib Holkar (wife) Bana Bai Sahib Holkar (wife) Dwarka Bai Sahib Holkar (wife) Harku Bai Sahib Holkar (wife) Khanderao Holkar (Son) Ahilyabai Holkar (Daughter-in-law) Malerao Holkar II (Grandson) Two daughters Bhojirajrao Bargal (uncle)

Malhar Rao Holkar (16 March 1693 – 20 May 1766) was a noble of the Maratha Empire, in present-day India. Malhar Rao is particularly known for being the first Maratha Subhedar of Malwa in Central India. He was the first prince from the Holkar family which ruled the Indore State. He was one of the early officers to help spread the Maratha rule to northern states and was given the state of Indore to rule by the Peshwa's.

Malhar Rao Holkar was from the Dhangar community, a pastoral group that is not technically a part of the Maratha caste. He was born on 16 March 1693 in the village of Hol, near Jejuri, Pune District to Khanduji Holkar of Vir. Malhar Rao grew up in Taloda (Nandurbar District. Khandesh) at house of his maternal uncle, Bhojirajrao Bargal.

He married Gautama Bai (d. 29 September 1761), his uncle's daughter, in 1717. He also married Bana Bai Sahib Holkar, Dwarka Bai Sahib Holkar, Harku Bai Sahib Holkar, a Khanda Rani. This Khanda Rani status stems from the fact that she was a Rajput princess, he had sent his sword (khaaNdaa in Marathi) to represent him at the wedding, to maintain appearances.

Holkar lived at a time when it was possible for ambitious people to improve their standing substantially. and in 1715 he was serving in forces under the control of Kadam Bande in Khandesh. Adopting the mercenary approach to service that was common at the time, Holkar was a part of the expedition to Delhi organised by Balaji Vishwanath in 1719, fought against the Nizam in the Battle of Balapur of 1720 and served with the Raja of Barwani.

In 1721, having become disllusioned with Bande, Holkar became a soldier in the service of the Peshwa, Bajirao. became close to him and was soon able to move up the ranks. Participation in the Peshwa's campaign of 1723-24 was followed by a diplomatic role, settling a dispute with the state of Bhopal. Holkar was commanding a force of 500 men in 1725 and in 1727 he received a grant so that he could maintain troops in various areas of Malwa. Successful work during the Battle of Palkhed of 1728, during which he disrupted the supplies and communications of the Mughal armies, further increased his status. The Peshwa improved that as a counter to a perceived threat from less loyal supporters and by 1732, when the Peshwa gave him a large portion of western Malwa, Holkar had command of a cavalry force comprising several thousand men.