NCERT Solutions for Class 4 English Chapter 12 Maheshwar – step-by-step answers to every exercise and in-text question of the chapter, as per the latest NCERT syllabus for 2027. Read them online or download the free question-answer PDF.
Chapter 12 of Santoor closes Unit 4, Up High, and closes the book. Maheshwar is a conversation. Aarav and Ananya see a picture of a fort in the newspaper and ask their Chachi about it. She tells them about the majestic Maheshwar Fort in Madhya Pradesh, built by the warrior queen Ahilya Bai on the banks of the Narmada River, and about the Maheshwari sarees that the people there weave. The rest of the chapter grows out of that talk — you circle odd words, find silent letters, match words to meanings, put a listening passage in order, present a monument of your own, fill in articles, write about the fort and make a fort jigsaw.
NCERT Solutions for Class 4 English Chapter 12 Maheshwar PDF
All the answers are on this page below. The PDF also explains every answer – why it is right and how to check it – so download it for revision.
| Chapter | Download | |
|---|---|---|
| Solutions PDF | Maheshwar | View PDF |
Summary and word meanings
Maheshwar (play)
Summary
- Aarav and Ananya see a fort in the newspaper with Chachi.
- Chachi says it is Maheshwar Fort, built by Queen Ahilya Bai.
- The fort stands on a hill by the Narmada River.
- The kind, brave queen built temples, schools and wells for people.
- The fort has red stones, big staircases and balconies that seem to float.
- Maheshwar is also famous for sarees, and they plan a visit.
सारांश (हिन्दी में)
- आरव और अनन्या चाची के साथ अख़बार में एक क़िले का चित्र देखते हैं।
- चाची बताती हैं कि यह महेश्वर क़िला है, जिसे रानी अहिल्याबाई ने बनवाया था।
- क़िला नर्मदा नदी के किनारे पहाड़ी पर है। रानी बहादुर और दयालु थीं, लोग उनसे प्यार करते थे।
- महेश्वर की साड़ियाँ भी प्रसिद्ध हैं। बच्चे वहाँ घूमने जाने की योजना बनाते हैं।
Word meanings
| Word | Meaning | हिंदी अर्थ | In the text |
|---|---|---|---|
| pleasant | nice and enjoyable | सुहाना | “It was a pleasant evening.” |
| fort | a strong building with high walls to keep people safe | क़िला | “a picture of a fort” |
| grand | very big and fine to look at | भव्य, शानदार | “It looks so grand.” |
| with a twinkle in her eye | looking happy and playful | आँखों में चमक के साथ | “(with a twinkle in her eye)” |
| majestic | grand and beautiful, fit for a king or queen | राजसी, शानदार | “the majestic Maheshwar” |
| overhanging | sticking out over the edge, with nothing below | बाहर की ओर लटकता हुआ | “overhanging balconies” |
| balconies | small floors that stick out from the wall of a building | छज्जे, बालकनी | “famous for its overhanging balconies” |
| ruled over | was the king or queen of a place | शासन किया | “Queen Ahilya Bai ruled over Maheshwar” |
| warrior | a person who fights bravely in battles | योद्धा | “She was a warrior queen” |
| ordered | told someone to do something | आदेश दिया | “ordered to build a strong and beautiful fort” |
| banks | the land along the sides of a river | किनारे, तट | “on the banks of the Narmada River” |
| fortress | a big, strong fort | दुर्ग, क़िला | “had the fortress built on a hill” |
| entire | whole; all of it | पूरा, संपूर्ण | “her entire kingdom” |
| kingdom | the land that a king or queen rules | राज्य | “kingdom of Maheshwar” |
| ruler | a person who rules a land | शासक | “What was Queen Ahilya like as a ruler?” |
| protected | kept safe from harm | रक्षा की | “She protected her people” |
| wisdom | good sense to make the right choices | बुद्धिमानी, समझदारी | “ruled with kindness and wisdom” |
| statue | a big figure of a person made of stone or metal | मूर्ति, प्रतिमा | “A 13-feet tall statue” |
| guardian | someone who watches over and keeps others safe | रक्षक | “like a guardian watching over her land” |
| unique | special; not like any other | अनोखा | “its unique style of construction” |
| construction | the way something is built | निर्माण, बनावट | “style of construction” |
| fascinated | very interested | बहुत उत्सुक, मोहित | “(fascinated) Can we go there” |
| overlooking | having a view of something from above | ऊपर से सामने देखता हुआ | “overlooking the town of Maheshwar” |
| weaving | making cloth by crossing threads | बुनाई | “known for weaving the famous Maheshwari sarees” |
| explore | go around a place to learn about it | घूमकर खोजना | “we shall explore it together” |
Maheshwari Sarees (Let us Listen passage)
Summary
- Maheshwari sarees were first made of pure silk only.
- Later, cotton thread was also used to make them.
- The sarees have special borders and pallus used on both sides.
- They come in colours like peacock blue and bright yellow.
- Today they are sold in India and in other countries.
सारांश (हिन्दी में)
- महेश्वरी साड़ियाँ पहले केवल शुद्ध रेशम से बनती थीं, बाद में सूती धागा भी लगने लगा।
- इनके किनारे और पल्लू दोनों तरफ़ से पहने जा सकते हैं।
- ये मोरपंखी नीले, चटक पीले, गहरे हरे और लाल रंगों में बनती हैं।
- आज ये साड़ियाँ भारत और दूसरे देशों में भी बिकती हैं।
Word meanings
| Word | Meaning | हिंदी अर्थ | In the text |
|---|---|---|---|
| originally | at first; in the beginning | शुरू में, मूल रूप से | “originally made of pure silk” |
| yarn | thread used to weave cloth | धागा, सूत | “cotton yarn was later introduced” |
| introduced | brought in for the first time | शुरू किया गया | “cotton yarn was later introduced” |
| popularity | being liked by many people | लोकप्रियता | “As they gained popularity” |
| handloom | a machine for weaving cloth, worked by hand | हथकरघा | “the handloom weaving tradition” |
| tradition | a way of doing things passed down for many years | परंपरा | “weaving tradition in Maheshwar began” |
| reversible | can be used on both sides | दोनों तरफ़ से इस्तेमाल होने वाला | “unique reversible borders” |
| pallu | the loose end of a saree worn over the shoulder | पल्लू | “borders and pallus” |
| showcasing | showing clearly | दिखाते हुए | “showcasing a blend of cotton and silk” |
| blend | a mix of two or more things | मिश्रण | “a blend of cotton and silk threads” |
| dye | a colour used to colour cloth | रंग (रंजक) | “an Indian red dye called Aal” |
| international | of many countries | अंतरराष्ट्रीय | “national and international markets” |
NCERT Solutions for Class 4 English Chapter 12 Maheshwar – Questions and Answers
All 39 questions of the chapter (textbook pages 125 – 134) are answered below, in the order of the book – in-text questions, activities and the end-of-chapter exercises. Each answer is written the way you would write it in the exam.
Let us Read — Pages 125–128Maheshwar — a talk between Aarav, Ananya and their Chachi
Read it like a play. One child reads Aarav, one reads Ananya and one reads Chachi.
In short: Chachi tells Aarav and Ananya about Maheshwar Fort in Madhya Pradesh. Queen Ahilya Bai built it on a hill on the banks of the Narmada River. It is famous for its overhanging balconies.
New Words — Page 128fort · majestic · overhanging · balconies · ruler · unique
The six new words and their meanings:
| Word | What it means | Where it comes in the chapter |
|---|---|---|
| fort | a strong building with high walls, built to keep people safe | “They saw a picture of a fort in the newspaper.” (page 125) |
| majestic | grand and beautiful, like something that belongs to a king or a queen | “the fort in the picture is the majestic Maheshwar” (page 125) |
| overhanging | hanging out over the edge, with nothing under it | “This fort is famous for its overhanging balconies.” (page 125) |
| balconies | small floors that stick out from the wall of a building | “balconies that seem to float in the air” (page 126) |
| ruler | a person who rules a country or a kingdom | “What was Queen Ahilya like as a ruler?” (page 126) |
| unique | special, and not like any other | “the designs are so unique” (page 127) |
Let us Think — Page 128A. Answer the following.
Ahilya Bai was a warrior queen of the great Holkar family. She ruled over Maheshwar in Madhya Pradesh and built the Maheshwar Fort. She protected her people and built temples, schools and wells. She ruled with kindness and wisdom, and people loved her.
Maheshwar Fort is in Maheshwar, Madhya Pradesh, about 95 kilometres from Indore. It stands on a hill on the banks of the Narmada River. Its location is special because from the hill the Queen could see her whole kingdom. The fort looks over the town on one side and the river on the other.
Maheshwar Fort was made of special red stones. These stones were brought from Gujarat and Rajasthan.
The statue shows Queen Ahilya Bai as a guardian watching over her land. It reminds us that she protected her people, and that people still remember and love her.
Let us Think — Page 129B. Think and discuss.
Historical places are interesting because they are very old and still standing. They tell us real stories of the past. Maheshwar Fort was built long ago by a real queen, Ahilya Bai. Its overhanging balconies, grand staircases and temples are unlike anything we see every day.
I would be most excited to see the overhanging balconies. The lesson says they seem to float in the air. I want to see how they stay up with nothing under them. I would also like to look out from one, the way the Queen did.
Any one choice is correct if you give a reason.
Let us Learn — Pages 129–130A. Words with similar meanings — circle the odd one out
Example: · happy, joyful, cheerful · 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
Odd one out: thrilled. Sad, unhappy and tearful all mean not happy. Thrilled means very happy and excited.
Example: · happy, joyful, cheerful · 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.
2. talk, discuss, kind, speak
Odd one out: kind. Talk, discuss and speak all mean saying words to someone. Kind tells us what a person is like — gentle and helpful.
Example: · happy, joyful, cheerful · 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.
3. noisy, quiet, silent, calm
Odd one out: noisy. Quiet, silent and calm all mean with little or no sound. Noisy means full of loud sound.
Example: · happy, joyful, cheerful · 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.
4. cotton, wooden, silk, woollen
Odd one out: wooden. Cotton, silk and woollen are all used to make cloth. Wooden means made of wood, which is hard and is not used for clothes.
Find out two such sets of words and write them below.
· ……………, ……………, ……………
· ……………, ……………, ……………
· big, large, huge
· fast, quick, speedy
In each set, the three words mean nearly the same thing.
Let us Learn — Page 130B. Read the word ‘design’ aloud. What did you observe?
The letter ‘g’ is silent. We write design, but we say “di-zine”. We do not hear the g.
sign light goat night sing sugar king high magnet
Underline: sign, light, night, high.
In these four words we do not hear the ‘g’. In goat, sugar and magnet we hear it. In sing and king it makes the “ng” sound.
Let us Learn — Page 130C. Match the following.
1. Kindness ( )
| A | B | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Kindness | ( ) | a) Being wise |
| 2. Bravery | ( ) | b) Being royal |
| 3. Wisdom | ( ) | c) Being special |
| 4. Majestic | ( ) | d) Being devoted |
| 5. Unique | ( ) | e) Being strong |
| 6. Fierce | ( ) | f) Being kind |
| 7. Dedicated | ( ) | g) Being brave |
1. Kindness — f) Being kind
Kindness means being gentle and helpful towards others.
2. Bravery ( )
| A | B | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Kindness | ( ) | a) Being wise |
| 2. Bravery | ( ) | b) Being royal |
| 3. Wisdom | ( ) | c) Being special |
| 4. Majestic | ( ) | d) Being devoted |
| 5. Unique | ( ) | e) Being strong |
| 6. Fierce | ( ) | f) Being kind |
| 7. Dedicated | ( ) | g) Being brave |
2. Bravery — g) Being brave
Bravery means not running away when something is frightening.
3. Wisdom ( )
| A | B | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Kindness | ( ) | a) Being wise |
| 2. Bravery | ( ) | b) Being royal |
| 3. Wisdom | ( ) | c) Being special |
| 4. Majestic | ( ) | d) Being devoted |
| 5. Unique | ( ) | e) Being strong |
| 6. Fierce | ( ) | f) Being kind |
| 7. Dedicated | ( ) | g) Being brave |
3. Wisdom — a) Being wise
A wise person knows the right thing to do, and does it.
4. Majestic ( )
| A | B | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Kindness | ( ) | a) Being wise |
| 2. Bravery | ( ) | b) Being royal |
| 3. Wisdom | ( ) | c) Being special |
| 4. Majestic | ( ) | d) Being devoted |
| 5. Unique | ( ) | e) Being strong |
| 6. Fierce | ( ) | f) Being kind |
| 7. Dedicated | ( ) | g) Being brave |
4. Majestic — b) Being royal
Majestic means grand and beautiful, like the things of a king or a queen.
5. Unique ( )
| A | B | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Kindness | ( ) | a) Being wise |
| 2. Bravery | ( ) | b) Being royal |
| 3. Wisdom | ( ) | c) Being special |
| 4. Majestic | ( ) | d) Being devoted |
| 5. Unique | ( ) | e) Being strong |
| 6. Fierce | ( ) | f) Being kind |
| 7. Dedicated | ( ) | g) Being brave |
5. Unique — c) Being special
Unique means special — there is no other one like it.
6. Fierce ( )
| A | B | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Kindness | ( ) | a) Being wise |
| 2. Bravery | ( ) | b) Being royal |
| 3. Wisdom | ( ) | c) Being special |
| 4. Majestic | ( ) | d) Being devoted |
| 5. Unique | ( ) | e) Being strong |
| 6. Fierce | ( ) | f) Being kind |
| 7. Dedicated | ( ) | g) Being brave |
6. Fierce — e) Being strong
Fierce means very strong and wild, like a fierce lion. Of the meanings given, being strong is the closest.
7. Dedicated ( )
| A | B | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Kindness | ( ) | a) Being wise |
| 2. Bravery | ( ) | b) Being royal |
| 3. Wisdom | ( ) | c) Being special |
| 4. Majestic | ( ) | d) Being devoted |
| 5. Unique | ( ) | e) Being strong |
| 6. Fierce | ( ) | f) Being kind |
| 7. Dedicated | ( ) | g) Being brave |
7. Dedicated — d) Being devoted
Dedicated and devoted both mean giving all your time and care to one work.
The whole matching exercise, completed:
| A | Answer | B |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Kindness | f | Being kind |
| 2. Bravery | g | Being brave |
| 3. Wisdom | a | Being wise |
| 4. Majestic | b | Being royal |
| 5. Unique | c | Being special |
| 6. Fierce | e | Being strong |
| 7. Dedicated | d | Being devoted |
Let us Listen — Page 131Arrange the following sentences in the order in which they appear in the passage.
These sarees are famous for their unique reversible borders and pallus, showcasing a blend of cotton and silk threads. They are traditionally made in colours like peacock blue, bright yellow, forest green, and an Indian red dye called Aal.
Today, Maheshwari sarees are available in both national and international markets.
Box 2. The passage first says the sarees were made of pure silk. Then it says cotton was later added.
These sarees are famous for their unique reversible borders and pallus, showcasing a blend of cotton and silk threads. They are traditionally made in colours like peacock blue, bright yellow, forest green, and an Indian red dye called Aal.
Today, Maheshwari sarees are available in both national and international markets.
Box 4. It matches the last line of the passage, which begins with Today.
These sarees are famous for their unique reversible borders and pallus, showcasing a blend of cotton and silk threads. They are traditionally made in colours like peacock blue, bright yellow, forest green, and an Indian red dye called Aal.
Today, Maheshwari sarees are available in both national and international markets.
Box 1. The passage begins by saying the sarees were originally made of pure silk.
These sarees are famous for their unique reversible borders and pallus, showcasing a blend of cotton and silk threads. They are traditionally made in colours like peacock blue, bright yellow, forest green, and an Indian red dye called Aal.
Today, Maheshwari sarees are available in both national and international markets.
Box 3. It matches the middle of the passage: the sarees are famous for their reversible borders.
The whole exercise, in order:
| Sentence | Box |
|---|---|
| Later, Maheshwari sarees are made with a blend of silk and cotton. | 2 |
| Today, these sarees are available both in India and other countries. | 4 |
| The weavers originally used pure silk. | 1 |
| The sarees are famous for their reversible borders. | 3 |
Let us Speak — Page 132A. Find out about a historical place in your town or nearby, and present it to the class.
Your presentation must include:
· Name of the place
· Name of the monument
· Historical people associated with that monument
· Special features of that monument
· How the monument is connected to the people (emotionally)
· Any other relevant information.
(use a place near your own home):
- Place: Maheshwar, Madhya Pradesh
- Monument: Maheshwar Fort (Ahilya Fort)
- People: Queen Ahilya Bai of the Holkar family
- Special features: on a hill by the Narmada River; overhanging balconies; red stone; a 13-feet statue
- Link with people: people still love the Queen; weavers there make Maheshwari sarees
- Other: 95 kilometres from Indore
Let us Speak — Pages 132–133B. Complete the following passage with suitable Articles (a, an and the)
It kept ……….. olive and ……….. apple inside ……….. empty box. While ……….. monkey slept, ……….. dog found ……….. apple and stole it. The monkey was left with only ……….. olive to eat.
Answers, blank by blank:
| Blank | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Article | a | a | an | the | an | a | The | the | an | a | an | a |
| Blank | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Article | the | an | the | a | the | the | an | the | a | the | the |
Let us Write — Page 133A. A short description of your visit to Maheshwar Fort
Last Sunday my family and I visited Maheshwar Fort. From the hill I saw the Narmada River on one side and the town on the other. I stood on an overhanging balcony and looked down. I felt a little scared but very happy. The temples near the fort were beautifully designed. I felt proud of Queen Ahilya Bai.
Let us Write — Page 133B. A short paragraph on the Maheshwar Fort, based on the facts in the lesson
Maheshwar Fort is in Madhya Pradesh, on a hill on the banks of the Narmada River. It was built long ago by Queen Ahilya Bai. It is also called Ahilya Fort. It was made of special red stones from Gujarat and Rajasthan. It is famous for its overhanging balconies and grand staircases. A 13-feet tall statue of the Queen stands in front of the palace.
Let us Do — Page 134Make a fort jigsaw puzzle — four steps
I. Draw a template of a puzzle like this on thick chart paper/cardboard.
What to do: On thick chart paper or cardboard, draw a big square (about 15 cm on each side). Divide it into 3 rows and 3 columns to make 9 pieces. On every inside line, draw a small round bump, like the picture.
II. On the back side of the puzzle draw a picture of a fort like this.
What to do: Turn the cardboard over. On the back, draw a big fort that fills the square: towers with castle teeth on top, a triangle roof with two flags, small windows and a big arched gate.
III. Cut the puzzle using child-friendly scissors along the lines to separate into puzzle pieces.
What to do: With child-friendly scissors, cut slowly along every puzzle line. Cut exactly on the line. You will get 9 pieces. Ask an elder to sit with you.
IV. Mix the puzzle pieces and try rearranging them into a fort. Play with your friends.
What to do: Mix the 9 pieces. Put the four corner pieces first, then the edge pieces, and the middle piece last. Match the picture until the fort is whole. Then mix them again and let a friend try.
Self Assessment 2 — Pages 135–136You may select more than one box for each point. (This sheet comes after Chapter 12 and closes the book.)
1. I can recite the poems with gestures:
□ By myself □ In a group □ By repeating after my teacher □ None of the above. I like reading poems quietly
A child who can stand up and say a whole poem alone, with actions, ticks By myself. A child who joins in with the class ticks In a group. Many children tick two — for example In a group and By repeating after my teacher.
There is no right or wrong answer. Tick every box that is true for you.
2. I can understand the new words:
□ By using a dictionary □ After listening to my teacher’s explanation □ By reading with my classmates in groups □ By reading the entire sentence again □ By looking at the pictures
Most children tick three — By looking at the pictures, By reading the entire sentence again and After listening to my teacher’s explanation.
There is no right or wrong answer. Tick every box that is true for you.
3. I can answer the questions:
□ In my mother tongue □ In English □ In English with a few words of my mother tongue □ In my mother tongue, with a few words of English
A child who is still finding English words ticks In my mother tongue, with a few words of English. A child who is comfortable ticks In English.
There is no right or wrong answer. Tick every box that is true for you.
4. I can write:
□ By myself □ After following my teacher’s instructions □ After reading my friends’ work □ With my teachers’/friends’ help
A child who can plan and write a short paragraph alone ticks By myself. A child who needs the first sentence to be given ticks After following my teacher’s instructions.
There is no right or wrong answer. Tick every box that is true for you.
5. I was able to do all the activities:
□ By myself □ With the help of my teacher □ With the help of my classmates □ With the help of my family members
Most children tick two or three boxes here, because some activities were done in class and some at home.
There is no right or wrong answer. Tick every box that is true for you.
Chapter 12 of 12 – English
- Previous: Chapter 11 a Journey to the Magical Mountains
- All chapters: NCERT Solutions Class 4 English
Also for This Chapter
NCERT Solutions Class 4 English Chapter 12 Maheshwar – Overview
| Class | Class 4 |
| Subject | English |
| Chapter | 12 – Maheshwar |
| Textbook pages | 125 – 134 |
| Questions solved | 39 |
| Session | 2027 |
| Format | Full answers on this page + PDF |
NCERT Solutions Class 4 English Chapter 12 – FAQs
Where can I download NCERT Solutions Class 4 English Chapter 12 Maheshwar PDF?
Read every answer on this page, or download the free PDF from the table at the top.
Is this for the 2027 session?
Yes, it follows the latest NCERT Class 4 English book for 2027.
How many questions are solved in NCERT Class 4 English Chapter 12?
All 39 questions of the chapter (textbook pages 125 – 134) – the in-text questions, activities and the end-of-chapter exercises.
How should I use these solutions?
Read the chapter in the NCERT book first, attempt the questions yourself, then check your answers here.