Class 4 English NCERT Book Chapter 12 Maheshwar

 Page 1


Let us Read
12
 Maheshwar It was a pleasant evening. Aarav 
and Ananya were sitting with 
their Chachi. They saw a 
picture of a fort in 
the newspaper.
Aarav : Chachi! Do 
you know the 
name of 
this fort? 
It looks so grand.
Chachi : (with a twinkle in her eye) Come here! Sit down. 
Well, the fort in the picture is the majestic 
Maheshwar. It was built long ago by Queen 
Ahilya Bai. This fort is famous for its overhanging 
balconies.
Aarav : (excited) A queen and her fort? Overhanging 
balconies?
Ananya : That is exciting! A real queen built the Maheshwar 
Fort? 
Chachi : (smiling) Yes, dear! Queen Ahilya Bai ruled over 
Maheshwar, a place in Madhya Pradesh. 
* Chachi: Paternal aunt
Chapter 12.indd   125 13-Mar-25   4:08:50 PM
Page 2


Let us Read
12
 Maheshwar It was a pleasant evening. Aarav 
and Ananya were sitting with 
their Chachi. They saw a 
picture of a fort in 
the newspaper.
Aarav : Chachi! Do 
you know the 
name of 
this fort? 
It looks so grand.
Chachi : (with a twinkle in her eye) Come here! Sit down. 
Well, the fort in the picture is the majestic 
Maheshwar. It was built long ago by Queen 
Ahilya Bai. This fort is famous for its overhanging 
balconies.
Aarav : (excited) A queen and her fort? Overhanging 
balconies?
Ananya : That is exciting! A real queen built the Maheshwar 
Fort? 
Chachi : (smiling) Yes, dear! Queen Ahilya Bai ruled over 
Maheshwar, a place in Madhya Pradesh. 
* Chachi: Paternal aunt
Chapter 12.indd   125 13-Mar-25   4:08:50 PM
126
Santoor  Grade 4
  This place is just 95 kilometres away from Indore. 
She was a warrior queen who ordered to build 
a strong and beautiful fort on the banks of the 
Narmada River. This Queen had the fortress built 
on a hill, and from there, she could see her entire 
kingdom of Maheshwar. This fort is also known as 
Ahilya Fort.
Aarav : What was Queen Ahilya like as a ruler?
Chachi : She belonged to the great Holkar 
family, who ruled the kingdom. 
  She protected her people 
and built temples, schools, and 
wells. The fort she built has 
overhanging balconies that seem 
to float in the air. She ruled with
Chapter 12.indd   126 13-Mar-25   4:08:53 PM
Page 3


Let us Read
12
 Maheshwar It was a pleasant evening. Aarav 
and Ananya were sitting with 
their Chachi. They saw a 
picture of a fort in 
the newspaper.
Aarav : Chachi! Do 
you know the 
name of 
this fort? 
It looks so grand.
Chachi : (with a twinkle in her eye) Come here! Sit down. 
Well, the fort in the picture is the majestic 
Maheshwar. It was built long ago by Queen 
Ahilya Bai. This fort is famous for its overhanging 
balconies.
Aarav : (excited) A queen and her fort? Overhanging 
balconies?
Ananya : That is exciting! A real queen built the Maheshwar 
Fort? 
Chachi : (smiling) Yes, dear! Queen Ahilya Bai ruled over 
Maheshwar, a place in Madhya Pradesh. 
* Chachi: Paternal aunt
Chapter 12.indd   125 13-Mar-25   4:08:50 PM
126
Santoor  Grade 4
  This place is just 95 kilometres away from Indore. 
She was a warrior queen who ordered to build 
a strong and beautiful fort on the banks of the 
Narmada River. This Queen had the fortress built 
on a hill, and from there, she could see her entire 
kingdom of Maheshwar. This fort is also known as 
Ahilya Fort.
Aarav : What was Queen Ahilya like as a ruler?
Chachi : She belonged to the great Holkar 
family, who ruled the kingdom. 
  She protected her people 
and built temples, schools, and 
wells. The fort she built has 
overhanging balconies that seem 
to float in the air. She ruled with
Chapter 12.indd   126 13-Mar-25   4:08:53 PM
127
Maheshwar
  kindness and wisdom and people loved her.  
A 13-feet tall statue of Queen Ahilya Bai stands 
even today in front of the palace, like a guardian 
watching over her land.
Aarav : (together) Tell us more about the fort, Chachi.
and Ananya
Chachi : (smiling) Ah, yes. The fort is known for its unique 
style of construction and grand staircases. It was 
made of special red stones brought from Gujarat 
and Rajasthan.
Ananya : (fascinated) Can we go there, Chachi? Can we 
see it?
Chachi : Why not? You will enjoy visiting the fort. You 
know, the fort is on a hill, overlooking the town 
of Maheshwar on one side and the Narmada River 
on the other. There are many beautifully designed 
temples near the fort.
Ananya : (excitedly) And what else, Chachi? Is there more?
Chachi : Yes, there’s something special you will love! 
The people of Maheshwar are known for weaving  
    the famous Maheshwari sarees.  
      They are made from  
       cotton and silk,   
       and the designs   
       are so unique. 
Chapter 12.indd   127 13-Mar-25   4:08:53 PM
Page 4


Let us Read
12
 Maheshwar It was a pleasant evening. Aarav 
and Ananya were sitting with 
their Chachi. They saw a 
picture of a fort in 
the newspaper.
Aarav : Chachi! Do 
you know the 
name of 
this fort? 
It looks so grand.
Chachi : (with a twinkle in her eye) Come here! Sit down. 
Well, the fort in the picture is the majestic 
Maheshwar. It was built long ago by Queen 
Ahilya Bai. This fort is famous for its overhanging 
balconies.
Aarav : (excited) A queen and her fort? Overhanging 
balconies?
Ananya : That is exciting! A real queen built the Maheshwar 
Fort? 
Chachi : (smiling) Yes, dear! Queen Ahilya Bai ruled over 
Maheshwar, a place in Madhya Pradesh. 
* Chachi: Paternal aunt
Chapter 12.indd   125 13-Mar-25   4:08:50 PM
126
Santoor  Grade 4
  This place is just 95 kilometres away from Indore. 
She was a warrior queen who ordered to build 
a strong and beautiful fort on the banks of the 
Narmada River. This Queen had the fortress built 
on a hill, and from there, she could see her entire 
kingdom of Maheshwar. This fort is also known as 
Ahilya Fort.
Aarav : What was Queen Ahilya like as a ruler?
Chachi : She belonged to the great Holkar 
family, who ruled the kingdom. 
  She protected her people 
and built temples, schools, and 
wells. The fort she built has 
overhanging balconies that seem 
to float in the air. She ruled with
Chapter 12.indd   126 13-Mar-25   4:08:53 PM
127
Maheshwar
  kindness and wisdom and people loved her.  
A 13-feet tall statue of Queen Ahilya Bai stands 
even today in front of the palace, like a guardian 
watching over her land.
Aarav : (together) Tell us more about the fort, Chachi.
and Ananya
Chachi : (smiling) Ah, yes. The fort is known for its unique 
style of construction and grand staircases. It was 
made of special red stones brought from Gujarat 
and Rajasthan.
Ananya : (fascinated) Can we go there, Chachi? Can we 
see it?
Chachi : Why not? You will enjoy visiting the fort. You 
know, the fort is on a hill, overlooking the town 
of Maheshwar on one side and the Narmada River 
on the other. There are many beautifully designed 
temples near the fort.
Ananya : (excitedly) And what else, Chachi? Is there more?
Chachi : Yes, there’s something special you will love! 
The people of Maheshwar are known for weaving  
    the famous Maheshwari sarees.  
      They are made from  
       cotton and silk,   
       and the designs   
       are so unique. 
Chapter 12.indd   127 13-Mar-25   4:08:53 PM
128
Santoor  Grade 4
Let us Think
New w ords fort majestic overhanging balconies ruler unique
Aarav : (enthusiastic) So, the fort has 
overhanging balconies, statues, and 
temples! It seems like an interesting 
place to visit.
Ananya : Let us visit Maheshwar one day.
Chachi : Why not? Let’s plan a visit soon. 
The fort is waiting 
for you to 
discover its 
secrets. One day, 
we shall explore 
it together.
A. Answer the following.
 1. Who was Ahilya Bai?
 2. Where is Maheshwar Fort located? What 
makes its location special? 
 3. What materials were used to build 
Maheshwar Fort, and where did they come 
from?
 4. What does the statue of Queen Ahilya Bai in 
front of the palace represent?
Chapter 12.indd   128 13-Mar-25   4:08:54 PM
Page 5


Let us Read
12
 Maheshwar It was a pleasant evening. Aarav 
and Ananya were sitting with 
their Chachi. They saw a 
picture of a fort in 
the newspaper.
Aarav : Chachi! Do 
you know the 
name of 
this fort? 
It looks so grand.
Chachi : (with a twinkle in her eye) Come here! Sit down. 
Well, the fort in the picture is the majestic 
Maheshwar. It was built long ago by Queen 
Ahilya Bai. This fort is famous for its overhanging 
balconies.
Aarav : (excited) A queen and her fort? Overhanging 
balconies?
Ananya : That is exciting! A real queen built the Maheshwar 
Fort? 
Chachi : (smiling) Yes, dear! Queen Ahilya Bai ruled over 
Maheshwar, a place in Madhya Pradesh. 
* Chachi: Paternal aunt
Chapter 12.indd   125 13-Mar-25   4:08:50 PM
126
Santoor  Grade 4
  This place is just 95 kilometres away from Indore. 
She was a warrior queen who ordered to build 
a strong and beautiful fort on the banks of the 
Narmada River. This Queen had the fortress built 
on a hill, and from there, she could see her entire 
kingdom of Maheshwar. This fort is also known as 
Ahilya Fort.
Aarav : What was Queen Ahilya like as a ruler?
Chachi : She belonged to the great Holkar 
family, who ruled the kingdom. 
  She protected her people 
and built temples, schools, and 
wells. The fort she built has 
overhanging balconies that seem 
to float in the air. She ruled with
Chapter 12.indd   126 13-Mar-25   4:08:53 PM
127
Maheshwar
  kindness and wisdom and people loved her.  
A 13-feet tall statue of Queen Ahilya Bai stands 
even today in front of the palace, like a guardian 
watching over her land.
Aarav : (together) Tell us more about the fort, Chachi.
and Ananya
Chachi : (smiling) Ah, yes. The fort is known for its unique 
style of construction and grand staircases. It was 
made of special red stones brought from Gujarat 
and Rajasthan.
Ananya : (fascinated) Can we go there, Chachi? Can we 
see it?
Chachi : Why not? You will enjoy visiting the fort. You 
know, the fort is on a hill, overlooking the town 
of Maheshwar on one side and the Narmada River 
on the other. There are many beautifully designed 
temples near the fort.
Ananya : (excitedly) And what else, Chachi? Is there more?
Chachi : Yes, there’s something special you will love! 
The people of Maheshwar are known for weaving  
    the famous Maheshwari sarees.  
      They are made from  
       cotton and silk,   
       and the designs   
       are so unique. 
Chapter 12.indd   127 13-Mar-25   4:08:53 PM
128
Santoor  Grade 4
Let us Think
New w ords fort majestic overhanging balconies ruler unique
Aarav : (enthusiastic) So, the fort has 
overhanging balconies, statues, and 
temples! It seems like an interesting 
place to visit.
Ananya : Let us visit Maheshwar one day.
Chachi : Why not? Let’s plan a visit soon. 
The fort is waiting 
for you to 
discover its 
secrets. One day, 
we shall explore 
it together.
A. Answer the following.
 1. Who was Ahilya Bai?
 2. Where is Maheshwar Fort located? What 
makes its location special? 
 3. What materials were used to build 
Maheshwar Fort, and where did they come 
from?
 4. What does the statue of Queen Ahilya Bai in 
front of the palace represent?
Chapter 12.indd   128 13-Mar-25   4:08:54 PM
129
Maheshwar
B. Think and discuss.
 1. Aarav and Ananya get excited about 
visiting Maheshwar Fort. What do you 
think makes historical places like this 
interesting?
 2. If you were Aarav or Ananya, what part 
of the fort would you be most excited 
to see—the overhanging balconies, the 
statue, or the temples? Why?
A. The words “smiling”, “grinning”, and “laughing” 
have similar meanings. 
 Example:
	 •	 happy,	 joyful, 	cheer ful
	 •	 brave,	bold,	fearless
 Given below are sets of words that have similar 
meaning along with a word that does not fit the 
group. Circle the odd one out. 
 1. sad, unhappy, tearful, thrilled
 2. talk, discuss, kind, speak 
 3. noisy, quiet, silent, calm
 4. cotton, wooden, silk, woollen
Let us Learn
Chapter 12.indd   129 13-Mar-25   4:08:55 PM