Maharashtra's Ahmednagar officially renamed to Ahilyanagar

Mumbai: The Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra has been renamed Ahilyanagar after Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar, the legendary Holkar-queen of the Maratha-Malwa kingdom.

Ahilyanagar is the biggest district in the western state in terms of geographical area.

The Maha Yuti-government has taken a decision to rename Ahmednagar as Ahilyanagar in at Cabinet meeting on March 13, 2024, presided over by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and attended by Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.

After the 'okay' from the Ministry of Home Affairs on October 1, the Maharashtra government on Saturday issued a gazette notification about the renaming in the run up to the Vidhan Sabha polls.

Ahilyabai Holkar (May 31, 1725 – August 13, 1795), was a great pioneer and involved in several social causes and helped build hundreds of temples and dharamshalas throughout India.

Ahilyabai Holkar was born Chaundi in Ahmednagar district to a Dhangar family and was married to Khanderao Holkar of the Holkar dynasty of Holkar.

After the demise of her husband Khanderao Holkar and father-in-law Malhar Rao Holkar, Ahilyabai Holkar herself undertook the affairs of the Holkar dynasty. She defended the Malwa state against intruders and personally led armies into battle.

Ahilyabai Holkar is a prominent and influential figure of Indian history and is regarded as one of the most visionary female rulers of the country.

The move follows after the Maharashtra government’s decision and subsequent approval of the Centre to change the name of Aurangabad as Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar and Osmanabad as Dharashiv.

The Ahmednagar district, which is known for its ‘rural development and co-operation’ and as ‘land of saints’, is situated in western Maharashtra.

The total geographical area of the district is 17,048 sq. km - which is 5.6 per cent of the total area of the state. Ahmednagar district is still known for its identity as a leader in the cooperative sector.

India’s first co-operative sugar factory was established in the year 1950 in Pravaranagar.

At the end of 2015-16, there were 5,295 co-operative societies of all types. Ahmednagar district is in progress in the industrial sector.

More than half of the sugar production in Maharashtra is produced in the district alone. At the end of 2016, there were 20 sugar factories in the district.

The development comes when the Dhangar community is seeking inclusion in Scheduled Tribes.

The Dhangar community - traditional nomadic shepherds - who get 3.5 per cent reservation in education and jobs under NT (C) category demand that they be placed under STs, which has a 7 per cent quota.

The Dhangar community leaders claim ‘Dhangar’ and ‘Dhangad’ are same and a "typographical error” has deprived them in Maharashtra to get the ST benefits unlike other states.

The ST community is opposed to the idea as it will dilute their quota.

The Dhangars account for 9-10 per cent of the state's population. After the Marathas, Dhangars are the biggest population group.