In a moving tribute to India’s legendary queen and spiritual ruler, She – The King: Rise of Lokmata Ahilyabai Holkar, authored by Dr. Aditi Narayani, was officially released at the iconic New Maharashtra Sadan, New Delhi. Hosted by Vani Prakashan, the launch witnessed an illustrious gathering of dignitaries, thinkers, and admirers of history and Indic thought.
The event began with a warm welcome address by Publisher Aditi Maheshwari of Vani Prakashan, who spoke about the relevance of reviving historical narratives that reflect India’s cultural and spiritual heritage, especially those centered on women-led leadership traditions.
The Chief Guest, Smt. Rekha Gupta, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Delhi, then led the ceremonial unveiling of the book. In her address, she passionately emphasized the importance of women’s empowerment and highlighted government initiatives like Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao that work toward the upliftment of the girl child. She also spoke about Devi Ahilyabai Holkar’s monumental contribution to India’s socio-cultural landscape, portraying her as a timeless example of compassionate leadership.
Author Dr. Aditi Narayani reflected on why she chose Ahilyabai Holkar as her subject, stating that the queen’s life is a shining embodiment of leadership that was both powerful and nurturing. Dr. Paswan described the book as a “reclamation of feminine power, indigenous leadership values, and our forgotten epistemologies.” She emphasized that Ahilyabai’s governance remains an enduring model of inclusive and compassionate rule.
Guest of Honour Dr. Kumar Vishwas, celebrated poet and scholar, added a literary dimension to the afternoon by weaving in historical anecdotes and poetic reflections about India’s rich legacy of female leadership.
Marking the 300th birth anniversary of Ahilyabai Holkar, She – The King delves into her reign not merely as that of a ruler but as a spiritual beacon, where justice, empathy, and dharma coalesced into a golden age of governance. The book serves as both a scholarly and philosophical reflection on the Shakti tradition, bridging history, feminism, and civilizational continuity.
She – The King stands as both a scholarly and spiritual homage to a woman who ruled like a king and served like a saint Lokmata, in the truest sense of the word.