Kashi Rao Holkar

Kashi Rao Holkar
'Maharaja (Ruler of Indore) '
Kashi Rao Holkar
Reign	1797 - 1799
Successor	Khande Rao Holkar
Born	before April 1767
Died	1808
Father	Tukoji Rao Holkar
Religion	Hinduism

Shrimant Sardar Kashi Rao Holkar V Subedar Bahadur (before April 1767 – 1808), belonging to the Holkar dynasty of the Marathas was the Maharaja of Indore (r. 1797–1799). He was the eldest son of Shrimant Sardar Tukoji Rao Holkar, from his first wife.

The death of Tukoji Rao proved disastrous to the interests of the Holkars, as it marked the commencement of a period of prolonged strife between his four sons Kashi Rao Holkar, Malhar Rao (II)Holkar, Yashwant Rao Holkar and Vithoji Holakr. But for securing the gaddi of the Holkars. Tukoji left two sons, Kashi Rao and Malhar Rao.

Tukoji Rao during his lifetime, residing in pune, declared Kashi Rao as his successor but he was handicapped and adulterous and due to this reason, the public and the soldiers also did not like Kashi Rao and preferred Malhar Rao-II as a ruler. Since Malhar Rao Holkar-II had all the qualities of a good administrator and as a good military leader, Malhar Rao, Vitthoji Rao, and Yashwant Rao opposed Kashi Rao and demanded that Malhar Rao II should be the leader of the Holkar dynasty succeeding Shreemant Tukoji Rao.

Kashi Rao was also a man of weak intellect. His brother Malhar Rao was cast in a different mould. He was a man of great activity and energy and was of a turbulent disposition. He had, in 1791-92, given great trouble by raiding and devastating lands belonging both to the Holkars and other neighboring chiefs. He was finally brought under control by a force under Rao Rao Appaji and Dudrenec. His father was very furious and in one letter complained to Ahilya Bai of his bad bringing up. Malcolm states that Ahilya Bai and Tukoji desired Kashi Rao and Malhar Rao to occupy positions similar to those occupied by themselves - Kashi Rao to be the administrative head of Maheshwar, and Malhar Rao to become the commander-in-chief of the troops. The correspondence in the State records, however, in no way bears out this contemplated arrangement; on the contrary, it shows concussively that after the death of Ahilya Bai, Tukoji was bent on securing the succession of Kashi Rao. There are numerous letters written by Tukoji to Kashi Rao, when his health began to decline, urging him to come to him so that his succession to the gaddi of the Holkars may be secured, upbringing him for his delay and asserting that he had obtained Scindia's support for him. In 1796, he appeared before his father and was formally invested with a khilat as his heir. Kashi Rao wrote to Ram Rao Appaji on Tuesday 8 November 1796. "My father has been very ill, and I came here by forced marches to visit him. He presented me with a dress of honour, recognizing me as his successor. This has enraged Malhar Rao so much that he has left our camp, and is halting close to the Peshwa. I do not know what his intentions are. Please take steps to watch his actions."