Maheshwar: NCERT Class 4 English Lesson (Santoor Chapter 12)

etmantra3 Nov 20264 min read

Children love stories about kings, queens and forts. In this conversation, an aunt tells two curious children about a real fort built by a wise queen, Ahilya Bai.

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From NCERT’s new English book Santoor for Class 4, unit “Up High”. Chapter 12.

What your child learns

About Maheshwar Fort and Queen Ahilya Bai
Words with similar meanings: happy, joyful, cheerful
Using a, an and the
Asking questions to learn more

What the lesson is about

This chapter is a conversation. Aarav and Ananya see a picture of a fort in the newspaper, and their Chachi (paternal aunt) tells them it is Maheshwar Fort in Madhya Pradesh, about 95 kilometres from Indore. It was built by Queen Ahilya Bai of the Holkar family on a hill by the Narmada River. It is also called Ahilya Fort and is famous for its overhanging balconies.

Chachi says the queen was brave, kind and wise. She protected her people and built temples, schools and wells. A tall statue of her stands in front of the palace. The fort is made of red stones from Gujarat and Rajasthan, and the town is known for Maheshwari sarees of cotton and silk. The children want to visit, and Chachi promises they will go together.

New words, with Hindi meanings

fort: a strong building made to protect people (हिंदी: क़िला)
grand: very big and beautiful (हिंदी: भव्य)
majestic: royal and very impressive (हिंदी: शानदार)
balconies: raised open places outside upper floors (हिंदी: छज्जे, बालकनी)
warrior: a brave fighter (हिंदी: योद्धा)
ruler: a person who rules a kingdom (हिंदी: शासक)
statue: a big figure made of stone or metal (हिंदी: मूर्ति)
weaving: making cloth by crossing threads (हिंदी: बुनाई)

Talk about it

Ask these aloud after reading or watching. Let your child answer in English if they can, or mix in their home language. Both help.

Who built Maheshwar Fort?
Where is Maheshwar Fort?
What was Queen Ahilya Bai like as a ruler?
Is there an old building or fort near your home? What do you know about it?

Answers for parents

Queen Ahilya Bai built it.
It is on a hill on the banks of the Narmada River in Madhya Pradesh, about 95 km from Indore.
She was kind and wise. She protected her people and built temples, schools and wells.
For example: There is an old temple in our town. My grandfather says it is very old.

Grammar corner: Using 'a', 'an' and 'the'

We use 'a' before words that start with a consonant sound and 'an' before words that start with a vowel sound (a, e, i, o, u). We use 'the' when we talk about one particular thing.

Aarav saw a picture of a fort.
An old statue stands near the palace.
The fort stands on the bank of the Narmada River.

Practice at home

Fill in a or an: ___ idea, ___ queen
Find the odd one out: happy, joyful, cheerful, tearful
Make a sentence about Maheshwar Fort using 'the'.

Answers: 1. an idea, a queen · 2. tearful · 3. For example: The fort has beautiful balconies.

Try this

Play 'Tour Guide'. One child pretends to be a guide at Maheshwar Fort and the family are visitors. The guide shows the balconies, the statue and the temples, using facts from the chapter, while visitors ask questions. Then swap and give a tour of your own home.

Tip for parents

Talk about any fort or old place you know in Hindi first: 'Kya tumne koi qila dekha hai?' Then teach the English words 'fort', 'queen' and 'river'. Let your child describe Maheshwar in Hindi, then try a sentence in English; praise them for trying.

Questions parents ask

Who built Maheshwar Fort?

Queen Ahilya Bai, of the Holkar family, built Maheshwar Fort. It is also known as Ahilya Fort.

Where is Maheshwar Fort?

It is in Maheshwar, Madhya Pradesh, on a hill by the Narmada River, about 95 kilometres from Indore.

Who are the characters in the lesson Maheshwar?

Aarav, Ananya and their Chachi, who tells them about the fort.

Learn every Class 4 chapter with CALP

Every chapter of Santoor, NCERT’s new book, with notes in English and Hindi, say-it-aloud practice with a score, grammar, speaking and writing practice. ₹1,299 for the whole year.

See the free lessons and enrol →