City Name Changed: Ahmednagar Becomes Ahilyanagar

Ahmednagar in Maharashtra has officially been renamed Ahilyanagar after approval from the Union Home Ministry. The renaming honors Punyashlok Ahilyabai Holkar an 18th-century Maratha queen, born in the district.

The state cabinet proposed the change in March to commemorate her 300th birth anniversary and the decision was welcomed by state revenue minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, calling it historic. 

The renaming was part of ongoing efforts by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to change names linked to historical figures. In 2022, Aurangabad and Osmanabad were renamed Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Dharashiv, respectively. 

Maharashtra’s Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced the proposal during an event celebrating Ahilyabai’s 298th birth anniversary. The state requested Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s approval, which was granted, and the Railway Ministry also agreed to rename the station. Ahmednagar was originally named after Ahmed Nizamshah, founder of the Nizamshahi dynasty.