Historic Residency Kothi Naming Sparks Debate in Indore

The decision to rename Indore's historic Residency Kothi after Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj has sparked opposition, with demands to honor Devi Ahilyabai Holkar instead. The building, a site of revolutionary history, is at the center of a cultural naming debate, reflecting broader historical significance.

In Indore, Madhya Pradesh, the decision to rename the historic Residency Kothi after Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj has ignited opposition from some groups. They advocate for the building to bear the name of Holkar dynasty ruler Devi Ahilyabai, especially as her 300th birth anniversary is celebrated nationwide this year.

Built by the East India Company in 1820 and a witness to the valour of revolutionaries during the 1857 War of Independence, the Residency Kothi is a notable historic site where VIPs are hosted and government meetings are held. The building's name change decision was made by the Mayor's Council and influenced by local residents' suggestions.

Historian Zafar Ansari notes the site's importance, citing its capture by revolutionary Saadat Khan in 1857 and the symbolic hoisting of the Holkar flag. Despite the new naming decision, groups like Punyashlok Sanstha plan to petition the local administration to honor Devi Ahilyabai Holkar, underlining the cultural stakes in this debate.

(With inputs from agencies.)