The institute has a glorious journey from school of nursing to college of Nursing. The School of Nursing as integral part of Lok Nayak Hospital was established in the year 1936 with intake of 15 students in order to fulfil the requirement of nurses in the hospital.

With improving health infrastructure and changing demand of health care services the school of nursing became one of the largest schools of Nursing in Delhi under the Delhi administration with intake of 100 students per year. The School of Nursing was upgraded to College of Nursing in 1994, inaugurated by Shri Madan Lal Khurana and named as Lok Nayak Jai Prakash College of Nursing and later it was renamed as AHILYA BAI COLLEGE OF NURSING after the name of “AHILYA BAI” the Holkar Queen of the Maratha Malwa kingdom “Rajmata Ahilyabai”. This occasion was graced by Dr. Harsh Vardhan in 1996.

Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar (31 May 1725 – 13 August 1795) was born in the village of Chondi in Jamkhed, Ahmednagar, Maharashtra.. Maharani Ahilya Bai Holkar (also Ahalya Bai) was the wife of Khanderao Holkar and daughter-in-law of Malhar Rao Holkar I. After the death of her husband and father-in-law, she was crowned as the queen of the Maratha ruled Malwa Kingdom.

In 1766, She became ruler of Malwa, with Tukoji Holkar appointed as her new military head. Receiving the full support of her loyal army, Ahilyadevi led them into several wars, whilst, she being a brave warrior and skilled archer herself, fought with valour atop elephant-back, even protecting her kingdom from the plundering Bhils and Gonds.

Rani Ahilyabai moved her capital to Maheshwar, constructing the splendid 18th century Maratha-architecture based, Ahilya Fort, on the banks of the sacred Narmada River. Besides her capital being an industrial enterprise for textile, it was also a thriving destination for literary, sculpture, music and arts.

A wise, just and enlightened ruler who cared for her people, she was available to the aid of everyone holding a daily public audience in her court. During her glorious reign (1767-1795), Rani Ahilyadevi’s innumerable contributions made her a beloved and respected queen amongst her people in a prospering kingdom.

Ahilyabai Holkar’s magnificent and glorious rule ended when she passed away in 1795. In memory and honour of her greatness, the Republic of India issued a commemorative stamp on 25 August 1996. The citizens of Indore also instituted an award in her name in 1996, to be bestowed annually on an outstanding public figure, the first recipient of it being Nanaji Deshmukh.

The Queen of Malwa was also an experienced diplomat, apart from being a brave queen and a proficient ruler. During her 28-year rule, Indore prospered, from a small village to a flourishing city. She was regarded as one of the finest female rulers in the Indian History.