This is speech #5 from "Storytelling" manual, called "Bringing history to Life". The objectives are to understand the purpose of stories about historical events or people and to tell such a story using skills developed in the preceding projects. Time allotted is 7 to 9 minutes.
In the simmering heat of the month of April in the eighteenth century,
hundreds of people had gathered in and around Rajwada in Indore. All the surrounding roads laced with dust and
dung had been barricaded with ropes. With sweat trickling down their bodies and
faces it was difficult to see, even breathe in the dusty loo that was blowing,
but everyone stood beyond the fencing, awaiting the royal elephant to emerge
out of the gates. After all, it’s not every day that one gets the opportunity
to witness an execution.
Good Afternoon fellow
Toastmasters.
This was the year 1767. The era
of Ahilya Bai Holkar. An iron lady, known for her wisdom and sense of
justice. Ahilya Bai was born in a middle
class family in 1725 in a small village in the Aurangabad district. The great
Holkar warrior, Malhar Rao, was on his way to Pune when he stopped at this very
village for a while and saw this eight year old girl at a temple. He at once
recognized her to be levelheaded and intelligent and decided to have her as a
bride for his only son Khande Rao. In 1737 she was married to Khandoji and thus
came to Indore. Years passed in marital bliss and they were also blessed with a
baby boy, Maloji. But suddenly, like a bolt of lightening, disaster struck and Khande
Rao died during the siege of Kumbher in 1754. Ahilya Bai was inconsolable, this
young female even considered going Sati but her father-in-law convinced her of
the futility of such an act and she gave up the idea. To quote her biographer,
Malhar Rao thus "gave to the world what otherwise would have remained a
Sealed Book – a splendid example of Aryan Rule under an Aryan Lady."
Till his own death twelve years
later, Malhar Rao Holkar trained Ahilya Bai in matters of State and governance.
He kept her informed about the political developments, such as his dealings
with Najib–ud–daula and how Awadh was seeking his help, and about his own
movements. In the battle of Panipat, Ahilya Bai also participated as a warrior,
under her father–in–law's paternal but strict training. She captured a fort in
Gwalior and then stayed there for a while to oversee the manufacturing of
armaments. After Malhar Rao’s death, Ahilya Bai became the de facto ruler.
Among Ahilyabai's accomplishments
was the development of Indore from a small village to a prosperous and
beautiful city; her own capital, however, was in nearby Maheshwar, a town on
the banks of the Narmada river. She also built forts and roads in Malwa,
sponsored festivals and gave donations for regular worship in many Hindu
temples. Outside Malwa, she built dozens of temples, ghats, wells, tanks and
rest-houses across an area stretching from the Himalayas to pilgrimage centres
in South India. There are many stories of her care for her people. She helped
widows retain their husbands’ wealth. She made sure that a widow was allowed to
adopt a son; in fact, in one instance, when her minister refused to allow the
adoption unless he was suitably bribed, she is said to have sponsored the child
herself, and given him clothes and jewels as part of the ritual.
She launched a campaign to rid
her kingdom of Thugs who sought to plunder the kingdom, personally leading her
army into battle. Her war time exploits became legendary. Ahilyadevi earned a
reputation for administering justice fairly during her rule without partiality.
Her only concern was her only son
Maloji, who had no interest in the matters of state, and was in fact showing
signs of insanity. He spent his days just roaming around and playing pranks.
She often warned him and employed various ways to bring him to see the right
side – brought in tutors, sought medicinal help, even divine intervention, but
all to no avail. She ignored many of his misbehaviors and mischief, but one
day, he did something that the just ruler within her could not stand. Maloji
had put poisonous scorpions in a few of her courtiers’ shoes which resulted
into deaths – and murder was a capital offense.
The royal gates opened, and out came the disgraced prince screaming and
shouting for mercy. The elephant followed and brutally squashed Maloji under
its feet. Ahilya Bai, in her prayer room was informed that her only son had
been brought to justice, just as she had instructed.
Now there is another version of
how Maloji actually died…that one says he died of natural reasons owing to his
health..but then, that version would not have made such a good story, would it?
This speech took 8:45 minutes to deliver and was appreciated for topic selection.
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