Yashwantrao Holkar

Yashwant Rao Holkar (1776–1811) also known as Jaswantrao Holkar was an Indian ruler, statesman and commander belonging to the Holkar clan of the Maratha Empire. He was the Raja of Indore State as part of the Maratha Empire. A gifted military leader, he was educated in accountancy as well as literate in Persian, Marathi and Urdu. He was an early and vigorous opponent of British schemes and attempts at politically dominating and colonising India, and fought a number of successful battles to thwart them in this, ultimately compelling the British to enter into a treaty relationship recognising him as a sovereign and independent ruler. His early death however led to most of his other strategies to prevent the gradual take-over of the country remaining unrealised.