“Ahilyabai Ki Kahani, Maheshwar Ki Zubani”: A Reflection on the Discover India Program Experience

The Discover India Program (DIP) at FLAME University stands as a flagship initiative aimed at immersing students in India's cultural, historical, and social landscapes. This program mandates that students form groups and work together for seven to eight months, conducting research, pre-field and post-field presentations, and culminating in a final documentary. Our team of 13 students embarked on a journey to Maheshwar, Madhya Pradesh, to explore the profound impact of Queen Ahilyabai Holkar under the name “Ahilyabai Ki कहानी, Maheshwar Ki ज़ुबानी”. This blog chronicles our project, research findings, and our unforgettable journey as a team.

Exploring the Rich Cultural and Historical Heritage of Maheshwar

Maheshwar, once known as Mahishmati, is rich in cultural and historical heritage. The serene Narmada River flowing through it adds to its charm, attracting visitors and pilgrims worldwide. Queen Ahilyabai Holkar, a remarkable female ruler in a predominantly patriarchal era, played a pivotal role in preserving and promoting the town’s culture and heritage. Known for her contributions to building and preserving significant religious temples across India, her political and administrative prowess is often overshadowed. Our research explored how her defining characteristics contribute to people’s perception of her today. We delved into how her architectural projects in Maheshwar influenced the contemporary cultural landscape and examined her role in establishing the handloom industry. Additionally, we aimed to understand how her rule and endeavors have impacted Maheshwar’s society today.

Field Visits, Archival Research, and Interviews in Maheshwar

Our methodology comprised field visits, archival research, documentation, and interviews. We conducted field visits to places like Ahilya Fort & Rajwada, Narmada Ghat, temples, chhatris, and other historical landmarks. These provided invaluable context and deepened our understanding of Ahilyabai's impact on the region. Interacting with residents, artisans, temple priests, and tourists during these visits enriched our research by capturing diverse perspectives and narratives.

We conducted 55 interviews, covering a wide range of categories and occupations, including Indian and foreign tourists, locals, shopkeepers, priests, weavers, businessmen and women, members of the royal family, professors, museum authorities, and common people. Notable interviews included those with Mr. Richard Holkar and Mr. Yeshwant Rao Holkar, descendants of Queen Ahilyabai Holkar, and various scholars who had extensively researched the Queen.

Exploring Ahilya Fort, Narmada Ghat, and Other Historical Landmarks

The Impact of Ahilyabai on Maheshwar’s Handloom Industry

Exploring the REHWA Society, Women Weave, and other handlooms, we delved into the intersection of history, culture, and craftsmanship, highlighting Ahilyabai's emphasis on empowering women weavers. Additionally, we visited the homes of various weavers and strolled through the streets of Maheshwar, where the sound of looms ringing in each house lingered in our minds, fueling our productivity. Our journey also took us to Omkareshwar, where we sought to understand Ahilyabai’s contributions and the public perception of her impact on this town of great religious significance, lined with temples and housing one of the twelve Jyotirlingas (a special shrine where Lord Shiva is worshipped in the form of a fiery column of light).

Tourism, Handlooms, and the Cultural Impact of a Remarkable Ruler

We observed that Queen Ahilyabai continues to live on in the hearts of the people of Maheshwar. Her impact is felt not only through fond memories and admiration but also through her significant contributions to the economic growth of the tourism and handloom industries. Queen Ahilyabai’s legacy in tourism is evident in her architectural contributions that draw visitors from near and far.

In the handloom industry, her influence goes beyond inspiring the unique designs of the sarees. It is embedded in the very ideology of the industry: adapting to the times and progressing alongside society for the greater good. Her efforts in providing employment to the people of Maheshwar and empowering women to stand on their own feet make the handloom industry a crowning achievement for both the Queen and the town.

From old tales in storybooks to her striking pictures adorning shops, restaurants, schools, and homes, Queen Ahilyabai is revered and acknowledged as the foundation of Maheshwar's prosperity. Among weavers and locals, her reign is particularly remembered for its emphasis on women's empowerment, as evidenced by her support for female artisans and initiatives promoting their economic independence. Her abilities as a just and intelligent administrator are truly inspirational and should be shared with more and more people across the globe.

The Start of an Incredible Journey: Preparing for the Discover India Program

Pre-Field Presentation and Planning for the Journey

The Pre-Field Presentation was a significant milestone for the project and the committee’s praise boosted our morale. The content team spent hours on rigorous research, countless hours reading papers, and kept constant vigilance against plagiarism. The logistics team worked tirelessly to establish contacts and plan the details of our trip, navigating numerous rejections but persisting with unwavering determination. The documentation team practiced with cameras, tripods, and microphones, while the finance team kept a sharp eye on the budget, constantly reminding us to stay within limits.

Adventures, Discoveries, and Team Bonding in Maheshwar

Finally, the day arrived. We packed our bags-overstuffed and heavy with hopes and aspirations-and set off for Maheshwar. The train ride was filled with excitement and camaraderie. We played card games, learned new ones, fought over Ludo games, and created makeshift movie nights using a bedsheet and a projector. These moments of joy and togetherness built our excitement for the experiences to come. In Maheshwar, we were immersed in the town’s rich history. We interviewed local weavers, struggling to communicate in our imperfect Hindi but finding joy in our efforts. We explored the ancient forts, the ghats of the Narmada River, and temples, learning about the revered Queen Ahilyabai Holkar and her remarkable legacy.

Boating on the Narmada, spending time at the ghat, and enjoying the meals together, were among the highlights. We also visited Indore, where we indulged in the famous snacks at 56 Dukaan, and Omkareshwar, where we braved the crowds to visit a revered temple and enjoyed another boating experience. Throughout the trip, we shared countless moments of joy and laughter. We played games, had impromptu jam sessions, made reels, and captured every little detail of our adventure.

Showcasing Our Research Findings and Documentary

The final presentation was a culmination of our hard work. We dressed up in the Maheshwari sarees we had bought during the trip, and the boys sported kurtas for the occasion. We showcased our research findings and the documentary we had created with so much effort. In the grand tapestry of life, our DIP journey is a vivid thread-rich with color and emotion-that we will carry with us as we move forward. It reminds us that the most meaningful experiences are those where we push beyond our limits, embrace the unknown, and find beauty in both the struggle and the triumph. The Discover India Program was not just a chapter in our lives but a beautiful prelude to the endless possibilities that lie ahead.

Team Members: Aarya Khemka, Akshat Sharma, Ananya Chenny, Ananya Sudarsanam, Dhruv Jetty, Kalash Shah, Kriti Bhargava, Manya Guglani, Mimansa Sharda, Mrinangshu Sengupta Das, Nishka Gandhi (Group Representative), Prajas Naik, Vineesha Vuppala

Mentors: Prof. Viraj Shah, Faculty of History, and Prof. Devendra Kumar Jain, Faculty of Finance

(Author: Kriti Bhargava, Undergraduate Student)

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