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.
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 withkindness 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 and Ananya : (together) Tell us more about the fort, Chachi.
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.
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.
Also read this: A Journey to the Magical Mountains : Chapter -11
Let us Think
A. Answer the following.
1. Who was Ahilya Bai?
Ans. Ahilya Bai was a brave and kind queen from the Holkar family. She ruled over Maheshwar and cared for her people. She built temples, schools, wells, and the beautiful Maheshwar Fort.
2. Where is Maheshwar Fort located? What makes its location special?
Ans. Maheshwar Fort is located in Maheshwar, Madhya Pradesh, on the banks of the Narmada River. Its location is special because it stands on a hill from where the queen could see the entire town and the river.
3. What materials were used to build Maheshwar Fort, and where did they come from?
Ans. The fort was built using special red stones that were brought from Gujarat and Rajasthan.
4. What does the statue of Queen Ahilya Bai in front of the palace represent?
Ans. The 13-feet tall statue of Queen Ahilya Bai in front of the palace represents her strength, wisdom, and her role as a guardian watching over her land and people.
B. Think and discuss.
1. Aarav and Ananya get excited about visiting Maheshwar Fort. What do you think makes historical places like this interesting?
Ans. Historical places are interesting because they tell stories of the past. They show beautiful architecture, art, and culture. They help us learn about great people like Queen Ahilya Bai and the history of our country.
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?
Ans. I would be most excited to see the overhanging balconies because they look like they are floating in the air. It would be amazing to see how such beautiful and strong structures were made long ago.
