IIOLKAR, MULHAR RAO, the first of the name known in history, was a Mahratta soldier, who having been instrumental in extending the conquests of his nation, under the firet Peshwa, towards the north of India, received a grant of land in Malwa about 1736. Ultimately one half of that large province passed under his rule ; and before his death, which took place in 1760, he had rendered himself, iu all but name, independent of his titular superior the Peshwa. He was suc ceeded by his grandson, a minor; but this boy soon died, and the iuhcritanco passed to Tuckagee Holkar, a nephew of Mulhar, according to Mr. Mill, but, according to Captain Duff, a stranger in blood. Tuckagee, dying in 1797, left four eons, whose patrimony was usurped for a time by Scindia, the most powerful of the Mahratta. chiefs. In 1802 Jeswuut Rao llolkar, the third son, an able, brave, unscrupulous soldier of fortune, defeated Sciudia, and re-established himself in Malwa. The Marquis Wellesley, then Governor-General, refusod how
ever to recognise his title, and in 1804 commenced a war against him, which was terminated at the end of 1805 by a peace more favourable than Holkar had reason to expect, which left to him the greater part of his dominions. The violence of his temper ultimately grew into madness ; and tho last three years of his life were passed in close confinement : he died iu 1811. When he was placed under restraint his son, a minor four years old, Mulhar Rao Holkar, succeeded to the nominal authority; all real power being of oourse in the hands of one or two ministers. A wretched anarchy succeeded. After the final overthrow of the Mahratta power in 1818, Mulhar was suffered to retain a small portion of his dominions under the protection of the British. (Mill. Matti British India ; Dug fist of Nahrestaa)