Male Rao Holkar

Shrimant Subhedar Malhar Rao Holkar II (1745 – 5 April 1767), belonging to the Holkar dynasty of the Marathas was the Maharaja of Indore (r.1766 – 1767). He was the only son of Khande Rao Holkar Bahadur, and his mother was Ahilya Bai Holkar.

Male Rao Holkar
Maharaja of Indore
2nd Holkar Ruler of Indore
Reign	20 May 1766–5 April 1767
Predecessor	Malhar Rao Holkar
Successor	Ahilya Bai Holkar
Regent	Ahilya Bai Holkar
Born	1745 Depalpur
Died	5 April 1767(1767-04-05) (aged 21–22)
Spouse	Mainabai and Pirtabai
Father	Khande Rao Holkar
Mother	Ahilya Bai Holkar
Religion	Hinduism

Male Rao Holkar was Heir apparent to his grand father Malhar Rao Holkar since death of his father Khanderao Holkar in 1754 in Battle of Kumbher.

Life

Since the age of 8–9 years, he used to accompany his father Khanderao Holkar and grandfather Malhar Rao Holkar to various campaigns.

Malerao was a great warrior. Amazed by his sword fighting skills, Malhar Rao gifted him the Jagir of Sultanpur as a reward in 1761-62.

In his reign he was sent for a settlement with Jawahar Singh Jat by the Peshwa and successfully completed it.

He was Married to Mainabai Holkar (née Bahad) in 1756 at the age of 11. And later he was married to Pirtabai Holkar (née Wagh) in 1765. She was the daughter of Sardar Santaji Wagh , a general in Maratha Army

Death

Male Rao experienced a tragic decline in his mental health during the last four months of his life. According to legend, his deterioration was triggered by overwhelming guilt over a grave miscarriage of justice—his decision to unjustly sentence an innocent man to death. The weight of this remorse tormented him relentlessly, depriving him of sleep for months. As his insomnia worsened, his mental state grew increasingly unstable, ultimately leading to his untimely demise. Despite Ahilyabai’s unwavering efforts to save him, she was unable to prevent his tragic downfall.