The Feudatory State of Indore

Indore (also called Holkar) was a prominent Maratha Princely State in the Indore Agency in Central India, presently in the Indian State of Madhya Pradesh. The state issued its first postal stamps in 1886 during the reign of Maharaja Tukoji Rao Holkar II (reigned 1844-1886).

Origins

The Holkar dynasty was founded by Malhar Rao Holkar (1694–1766), a farmer by origin who rose through the Maratha ranks due to his military skills and loyalty to the Peshwas, the de facto leaders of the Maratha Confederacy. In 1724, he was granted land in Malwa (in present-day Madhya Pradesh) by Peshwa Baji Rao I for his services and became the subedar (governor) of Malwa. Malhar Rao was one of the Peshwa’s trusted generals and played a crucial role in Maratha campaigns in northern India, consolidating the Maratha power across vast territories.

Expansion and Consolidation (18th Century)

Malhar Rao’s military prowess enabled him to establish control over large parts of Central India, securing a strong foothold for the Marathas in the north. The early Holkar state was characterised by its military culture and the ability to mobilise formidable forces quickly to support the Maratha Confederacy’s campaigns, especially against the Mughal Empire and other regional powers.

Following Malhar Rao’s death in 1766, the Holkar dynasty’s leadership was taken up by Queen Regent Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar (1725–1795), who is perhaps the most celebrated Holkar ruler. Ahilyabai is remembered as a wise and devout ruler who, instead of leading military campaigns, focused on administration, culture, and welfare. She moved the capital from Indore to Maheshwar, undertook extensive infrastructure projects, built roads, ghats, temples, and wells. Her patronage extended beyond Indore, as she commissioned the construction of temples and facilities across the Indian subcontinent.

Yashwantrao Holkar (Late 18th to Early 19th Century)

After Ahilyabai’s death, the Holkar state faced political challenges and external threats from other Maratha factions, particularly from the Scindias of Gwalior. The tensions within the Maratha Confederacy eventually led to the Maratha Civil War (1790s), in which the Holkars and Scindias clashed repeatedly.

In 1798, Yashwantrao Holkar, another prominent Holkar ruler, emerged as a formidable leader. Known for his courage and strategic acumen, he took on the Scindias and briefly seized control of the Maratha heartland, including Pune. Yashwantrao’s ambition led him into conflict with the British East India Company. His resistance against the British in the Second Anglo-Maratha War (1803–1805) ended with a series of conflicts in which he demonstrated considerable military skill. However, the British ultimately emerged victorious, and in 1805, Yashwantrao was forced to negotiate peace through the Treaty of Rajghat, which ceded large territories to the British and marked the beginning of British control over Maratha lands.

British Raj and the Holkars (19th Century)

After the Second Anglo-Maratha War, the Holkars came under British suzerainty. Indore became a princely state within the British Indian Empire, retaining internal autonomy but subject to British foreign policy. During this period, the capital was shifted from Maheshwar back to Indore, which developed as an administrative and commercial hub. The Holkar rulers continued to govern, albeit under British supervision, focusing on social reform and modernization.

Tukoji Rao Holkar II (reigned 1844–1886) and his successors introduced several reforms, including improved infrastructure, education, and legal systems. The Holkar State Army was maintained, and Indore grew as a centre of trade and commerce, attracting people from various regions of India.

20th Century and Independent India

The early 20th century saw further modernisation under Maharaja Tukoji Rao Holkar III and Maharaja Yeshwantrao Holkar II, who built schools, hospitals, and improved transportation networks. During World War II, Indore contributed resources and troops to the British war effort.

When India gained independence in 1947, Maharaja Yeshwantrao Holkar II chose to accede to India in 1948, marking the end of Holkar sovereignty. Indore was initially part of Madhya Bharat before becoming part of Madhya Pradesh when states were reorganized in 1956.

Stamps of Indore

Indore issued postage stamps between 1886 and 1908. These stamps were used within Indore state’s postal system for internal communication and were required for sending mail within the state’s boundaries. For correspondence outside the state, users needed to affix British Indian stamps alongside the Indore state stamps, as the Indian postal system managed external postal services.

The Holkars issued a total of 15 postal stamps, all royal portraits except the first, one each for Tukoji Rao Holkar II, Shivaji Holkar, Tukoji Rao Holkar II, and finally Yeshwant Rao Holkar II. The stamps were printed in London and typographed and perforated. Additionally, two handstamps were issued in 1889, black seals stamped on pink paper, probably to make up for a shortage.

The initial stamps were posted with the text ‘HOLKAR STATE POSTAGE’ in English and ‘HOLKARSHAHI DAKHASHEEL’ in Devanagari. After Tukoji Rao III Holkar ascended the throne, the name was replaced by ‘INDORE STATE POSTAGE’. SERVICE stamps were overprinted and REVENUE stamps were separate prints larger in size.