year girl in the temple. He was so impressed with her
intelligent looks that he wished herwell settled by marriage into some good family. He
settled her marriage with Khanderao (also called Khanduji), son of Malhararao who
was his trusted councillor. To the utter disappointment, Khanduji
turned out to be a very indolent, pleasure-seeking and irresponsible person who did not
care much for her.
On the contrary, Ahilya grew up into an intelligent and dutiful
woman whom Malhararao could entrust with the responsibilities of state affairs like the
collection of revenue and related army management. In 1754 Khanduji died in an accident
when Ahilyabai was barely twenty years of age. In this time of grief, Malhararao entreated
Ahilyabai, his daughter-in-law, by saying, "Khanduji is living in Ahilyabai, don't
grieve my child." After that time she diverted all her energy to the affairs of the
state. She had an inborn religious bent which grew deeper with strokes of misfortunes
resulting with the death of her son and father-in-law. She had come to see the futility of
worldly happiness and cared more for religion.
She was an excellent administrator and an impartial judge. She was
very brave. She fought and won a few battles to uphold the honor of the state. She was one
of the purest and most exemplary rulers that ever existed. She was an ideal daughter,
daughter-in-law, mother and stateswoman. The many good things that Ahilyabai did remain as
monuments to her piety. She initiated many public welfare programs including construction
of highways, wells, ghats, resthouses and temples. The most noteworthy among these are the
road from Calcutta to Banaras, and the temples of Somanatha in Saurashtra, of Vishnu at
Gaya and of Vishweshwara at Banaras. She continued to live a rigid life of austerity till
she died on August 13, 1795.
