Panjab University to name girls hostel after Ahilya Bai Holkar, 18th century Indore queen

Panjab University is all set to name its Girls Hostel No. 11 after Ahilya Bai Holkar, the 18th century queen of Indore, a legendary administrator and reformer. The move coincides with the ongoing celebrations commemorating her 300th birth anniversary.

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A committee formed by the Vice-Chancellor Renu Vig to decide on a suitable name for the hostel about to get opened for students recommended Ahilya Bai Holkar’s name, which was then sent to the VC for approval. The committee included the Dean of Student Welfare, Dean of Student Welfare (Women), Assistant Dean of Student Welfare, Dean of Alumni Relations, and other faculty members.

Panel considered Kalpana chawla’s name too

A committee formed for christening the girls hostel had also considered names of Shakuntala Devi, a renowned mathematician, Rajkumari Amrit Kaur, India's first health minister, Kalpana Chawla, an astronaut, and Mata Khivi, known for her contributions to the Sikh langar system.

According to officials, the committee had also considered the names of Shakuntala Devi, a renowned mathematician, Rajkumari Amrit Kaur, India’s first health minister, Kalpana Chawla, an astronaut, and Mata Khivi, known for her contributions to the Sikh langar system.

With the Vice-Chancellor’s approval, the hostel is now set to bear the name of Ahilya Bai Holkar, a ruler known for her administrative acumen, patronage of temples, and efforts to promote justice and welfare.

Other PU girls’ hostels have been named after great women — Mata Gujri, Rani Lakshmi Bai, Sarojini Naidu, Kasturba Gandhi, Savitribai Phule, Mother Teresa, Bebe Nanki, Florence Nightingale, Amrita Pritam and Neerja Bhanot.

The decision comes at a time when Ahilya Bai Holkar’s contributions are being widely recognised across the country. Born in 1725, she defied conventions to rule the Malwa kingdom with wisdom and compassion, leaving behind a legacy of temple restoration and social reforms.