Tukojirao Holkar II

Who was Tukojirao Holkar II?

Maharajadhiraj Raj Rajeshwar Sawai Shri Sir Tukoji Rao II Holkar XI Bahadur [Karanji Tal - Niphad Maharashtra. 3 May 1835, Maheshwar 17 June 1886] was the Maharaja of Indore belonging to the Holkar dynasty of the Marathas. His birth name was Shrimant Yukaji Jaswant Holkar. He was the son of Sardar Shrimant Santoji Rao Holkar, from the collateral branch of the Holkar dynasty.

On the death of Khande Rao Holkar II in 1844 former Maharaja Martand Rao Holkar claimed the throne for himself,but his request, backed by many nobles, was not given by the British. Kesara Bai Sahib, one of the widows of Yaswant Rao Holkar, suggested the name of the younger son of Bhao Santoji Holkar,. The proposal was accepted and the 12 year old Jaswant Holkar was installed with the regnal name of Tukoji Rao Holkar II on 23 June 1844

The regency council, controlled by the resident continued,At age 16 Tukoji Rao II began participating in the government formally.Kesara Bai died in 1849 and Tukoji further expanded his participation in the affairs and soon was granted all the powers on attaining 20 years.In this period many reforms were introduced.