Photograph of what is probably the chhatri or cenotaph of a queen of the Holkar dynasty of Indore in Madhya Pradesh, taken by G.W. Lawrie and Company in the 1880s, part of the Bellew Collection of Architectural Views.

Indore, now a major industrial city known for its textiles and second city of Madhya Pradesh, became prominent under the Holkar dynasty, founded by Malhar Rao Holkar (1693-1766) in the 1730s. Of peasant origins, he rose to become a powerful Maratha chief by dint of his ability. The most famous and illustrious member of the dynasty was Rani Ahalyabai Holkar (1725-1795) who is considered the founder of modern Indore, adding many buildings to the city in the late 18th century. Her cenotaph is at Maheshwar nearby. Many cenotaphs to the dead Holkar rulers and their families lie near the banks of the river Kham in Indore.

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