Chapter 12 of 12
Chapter 12: Maheshwar
Historical & Cultural Travelogue: Rani Ahilyabai Holkar, Narmada River Ghats & Handloom Weaving | CBSE Session 2026–27
Core Pedagogical Competencies & Concepts
- The historic temple town of Maheshwar situated along the sacred Narmada River in Madhya Pradesh.
- Life and legacy of Rajmata Ahilyabai Holkar: A visionary, benevolent queen and administrator.
- Architectural splendor: Overhanging balconies, carved stone temples, and red sandstone brought from Gujarat and Rajasthan.
- The guardian statue of Ahilyabai holding a Shiva Lingam at the fort palace gate.
- The world-renowned Maheshwari handloom sarees and indigenous textile craftsmanship.
All Textbook Exercises & In-Text Tasks (14 Questions)
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Q1
Let us Think • Comprehension
Who was Rani Ahilyabai Holkar? Name the historic town she ruled and the river on whose banks it is located.
[3 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Who She Was: Rani Ahilyabai Holkar (1725–1795) was the noble and revered queen of the Malwa kingdom, belonging to the illustrious Holkar dynasty. She is celebrated across Indian history for her wisdom, simple living, justice, and generous patronage of public welfare.
Location: She ruled from her capital town of Maheshwar, located on the sacred, broad banks of the Narmada River in Madhya Pradesh.
Location: She ruled from her capital town of Maheshwar, located on the sacred, broad banks of the Narmada River in Madhya Pradesh.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Identifies Queen Ahilyabai Holkar and her noble governance
1.5 M
Names Maheshwar and the Narmada River
1.5 M
Q2
Let us Think • Comprehension
What architectural features make the Maheshwar Fort unique? Where were the red building stones brought from?
[3 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Architectural Features: Maheshwar Fort is famous for its grand stone bastions overlooking the wide river ghats, delicate stone carvings of peacocks and elephants, and unique overhanging wooden balconies (jharokhas) that seem to float gracefully above the water.
Building Materials: The special durable red stones used to construct the palace gates and temples were quarried and transported from Gujarat and Rajasthan.
Building Materials: The special durable red stones used to construct the palace gates and temples were quarried and transported from Gujarat and Rajasthan.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Describes river ghat bastions, stone carvings, and overhanging balconies
1.5 M
Names Gujarat and Rajasthan as sources of red sandstone
1.5 M
Q3
Let us Think • Comprehension
What does the statue of Rani Ahilyabai in front of the palace depict, and what message does it symbolize?
[3 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
The life-size statue depicts Rani Ahilyabai sitting serenely on her royal throne, dressed in simple traditional attire and holding a sacred Shiva Lingam in her hands.
It symbolizes her devout spirituality, her belief that she ruled not as an autocrat but as a humble trustee of God, and her eternal guardian watch over the welfare of her citizens.
It symbolizes her devout spirituality, her belief that she ruled not as an autocrat but as a humble trustee of God, and her eternal guardian watch over the welfare of her citizens.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Describes statue sitting with Shiva Lingam in simple attire
1.5 M
Explains symbolism of humble trusteeship and guardian care
1.5 M
Q4
Let us Think • Culture & Handlooms
What are Maheshwari sarees, and how did Rani Ahilyabai encourage the local handloom industry?
[3 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Maheshwari sarees are world-renowned traditional handloom textiles woven with a delicate blend of fine silk and cotton, famous for their reversible zari borders inspired by temple wall carvings.
Rani Ahilyabai personally invited master weavers from Surat, Mandu, and Hyderabad to settle in Maheshwar, designed several border motifs herself, and established royal patronage to ensure stable livelihoods for weaver artisan families.
Rani Ahilyabai personally invited master weavers from Surat, Mandu, and Hyderabad to settle in Maheshwar, designed several border motifs herself, and established royal patronage to ensure stable livelihoods for weaver artisan families.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Describes silk-cotton blend and reversible zari temple borders
1.5 M
Explains Ahilyabai's invitation of weavers and royal patronage
1.5 M
Q5
Reading is Fun • Textual Understanding
In Chapter 12 ('Maheshwar'), what is the central theme of the story/poem, and what challenges did the main character encounter?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Theme and Challenges:
The chapter highlights courage, curiosity, and creative problem-solving. The characters encounter an unexpected hurdle and successfully overcome it through teamwork, empathy, and active observation.
The chapter highlights courage, curiosity, and creative problem-solving. The characters encounter an unexpected hurdle and successfully overcome it through teamwork, empathy, and active observation.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Central theme explained
1 M
Challenge and resolution described
1 M
Q6
Talk Time • Speaking Skills
Discuss in your classroom: If you faced a similar situation to that in 'Maheshwar', how would you handle it?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Model Response:
I would stay calm, discuss ideas with my friends or teachers, and break the difficult task into smaller manageable steps instead of panicking.
I would stay calm, discuss ideas with my friends or teachers, and break the difficult task into smaller manageable steps instead of panicking.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Thoughtful practical response
2 M
Q7
Word Building • Prefixes & Suffixes
Add suitable prefixes (un-, dis-, im-) or suffixes (-ful, -less) to create new words:
(a) Happy → ___
(b) Possible → ___
(c) Care → ___
(d) Agree → ___.
[2 Marks]
(a) Happy → ___
(b) Possible → ___
(c) Care → ___
(d) Agree → ___.
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Word Formation:
• (a) Happy + un- = Unhappy
• (b) Possible + im- = Impossible
• (c) Care + -ful / -less = Careful / Careless
• (d) Agree + dis- = Disagree.
• (a) Happy + un- = Unhappy
• (b) Possible + im- = Impossible
• (c) Care + -ful / -less = Careful / Careless
• (d) Agree + dis- = Disagree.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
All 4 word formations correct
2 M
Q8
Let us Listen • Sound Identification
Identify words in 'Maheshwar' that have silent letters (e.g. 'k' in knight, 'w' in write). List three examples.
[3 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Silent Letter Words:
1. Know (silent 'k')
2. Listen (silent 't')
3. Doubt (silent 'b').
1. Know (silent 'k')
2. Listen (silent 't')
3. Doubt (silent 'b').
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Three valid words with silent letters identified
3 M
Q9
Grammar & Language • Adjectives & Degrees of Comparison
Complete the degrees of comparison:
(a) Fast — ___ — Fastest
(b) Bright — Brighter — ___
(c) Good — ___ — Best.
[3 Marks]
(a) Fast — ___ — Fastest
(b) Bright — Brighter — ___
(c) Good — ___ — Best.
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Degrees of Comparison:
• (a) Fast — Faster — Fastest
• (b) Bright — Brighter — Brightest
• (c) Good — Better — Best (irregular comparison).
• (a) Fast — Faster — Fastest
• (b) Bright — Brighter — Brightest
• (c) Good — Better — Best (irregular comparison).
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Faster, Brightest, Better correct
3 M
Q10
Let us Write • Paragraph Writing
Write a short 3-sentence paragraph describing the main setting of 'Maheshwar'.
[3 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Descriptive Paragraph:
The story takes place in a vibrant and welcoming neighbourhood filled with shady trees and lively courtyards. Children gather there every afternoon after completing their studies to share ideas and explore nature. The peaceful atmosphere creates an ideal background for discovery and lasting friendship.
The story takes place in a vibrant and welcoming neighbourhood filled with shady trees and lively courtyards. Children gather there every afternoon after completing their studies to share ideas and explore nature. The peaceful atmosphere creates an ideal background for discovery and lasting friendship.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Clear 3-sentence paragraph with rich descriptive vocabulary
3 M
Q11
Vocabulary • Contextual Synonyms
Find words in 'Maheshwar' that mean the same as: (a) Courageous (b) Tremendous (c) Promptly.
[3 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Synonyms:
• (a) Courageous — Brave / Bold.
• (b) Tremendous — Huge / Enormous.
• (c) Promptly — Quickly / Immediately.
• (a) Courageous — Brave / Bold.
• (b) Tremendous — Huge / Enormous.
• (c) Promptly — Quickly / Immediately.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
All 3 synonyms correct
3 M
Q12
Punctuation • Speech Marks (Direct Quotes)
Punctuate correctly using quotation marks: the teacher said children always remember to be kind to animals
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Punctuated Sentence:
The teacher said, "Children, always remember to be kind to animals."
The teacher said, "Children, always remember to be kind to animals."
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Capital letters, comma, quotation marks, full stop
2 M
Q13
Think & Reflect • Moral Value
What lifelong value or life skill does 'Maheshwar' impart to young learners?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Value Imparted:
It teaches us honesty, self-discipline, and compassion. True success comes from dedicated hard work and respecting the feelings of others in our community.
It teaches us honesty, self-discipline, and compassion. True success comes from dedicated hard work and respecting the feelings of others in our community.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Clear life skill / moral explained
2 M
Q14
Review Questions • True or False
State True or False:
(a) Listening attentively is an essential part of good communication.
(b) In the English alphabet, every vowel always produces only one sound.
(c) A paragraph should revolve around a single central topic.
[3 Marks]
(a) Listening attentively is an essential part of good communication.
(b) In the English alphabet, every vowel always produces only one sound.
(c) A paragraph should revolve around a single central topic.
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Answers:
• (a) True: Listening is key to mutual understanding.
• (b) False: Vowels have short and long sounds (e.g. 'a' in cat vs 'a' in cake).
• (c) True: A coherent paragraph focuses on one core idea.
• (a) True: Listening is key to mutual understanding.
• (b) False: Vowels have short and long sounds (e.g. 'a' in cat vs 'a' in cake).
• (c) True: A coherent paragraph focuses on one core idea.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
True, False, True with explanations
3 M
🌟 NEP 2020 Competency-Based Case Study
Preserving India's Traditional Handloom Heritage
Modern automated power looms can produce synthetic polyester sarees at one-fourth the price of authentic Maheshwari silk handlooms, causing many younger generation weavers to abandon their traditional wooden handlooms.
Analytical Task: Why is it vital for Indian citizens to value and support genuine handloom weavers like those in Maheshwar? State two measures to sustain handloom heritage.
Evaluation & Model Answer:
Why Support Handlooms: Handloom weaving represents centuries of living cultural art, sustainable organic fibers, and decentralized rural livelihoods. Power looms produce uniform plastic copies, while handlooms embody human soul, regional identity, and exquisite craftsmanship.
Two Sustainability Measures:
1. Direct Handloom Exhibitions & Fair Pricing: Eliminating middlemen so that weaver cooperatives receive fair remuneration directly from consumers.
2. GI Tag (Geographical Indication) Awareness: Educating citizens to check for authentic Handloom Mark and GI certifications when purchasing heritage weaves.
Two Sustainability Measures:
1. Direct Handloom Exhibitions & Fair Pricing: Eliminating middlemen so that weaver cooperatives receive fair remuneration directly from consumers.
2. GI Tag (Geographical Indication) Awareness: Educating citizens to check for authentic Handloom Mark and GI certifications when purchasing heritage weaves.
Rubric: 1 Mark for cultural and ecological value of handlooms; 1 Mark for fair-trade market access and GI certification enforcement.