HOLICAR, the name of a powerful Mahratta family, the members of which have at various times been formidable enemies to the British empire in Hindustan. The founder of the family was MULHAR RAO Horacan, who was born in the Deccan, 1693, and hav ing gained by his valor the favor of the Peishwah, obtained from him the western half of Mahwah, with Indore for his capital. In 1761 he joined the great league of the princes of Hindustan, formed to bar the progress of Ahmed Shah Durani, and was present at the battle of Paniput, Jan. 14, 1761; but as he fled shortly after the battle had commenced, he was suspected of treason. Holkar was the only Mahratta chief of note who returned from that dreadful slaughter. He died in 1768, and was succeeded by his niece, Aylah-Baee, who resigned the military power to TOKIIAGI HOLKAR. On his death in 1797, his natural son, JESWUNT Rao HOLKAR, a man able, brave, and unscrupulous, seized Indore, but was driven out by Scindia. Such, however, was Ilolkar's reputation
for energy and ability that part of the victorious army deserted to him, with whom and his own troops he obtained a signal victory over Scindia and the Peishwah (Oct. 1802). After fighting a long time against the British with varying success, lie was com pelled to conclude peace, and died insane, Oct. 20, 1811. His son, MULI1AR RAO HOL RAIL II., a minor nine years old, succeeded, and in 1817 declared war against the British, but his army was totally routed at Mahedpore, Dec. 21; whereupon he sent offers of peace, which were accepted, and an English residency was established at Indore in Jan., 1818. Ile died in 1833. MARTUND RAO HOLKAR, HURRI RAO HOLKAR, and KUMDi