MAHESHWAR

also called Choli-Maheshwar, town, western Madhya Pradesh state, central India. It lies just north of the Narmada River. It is located on the ancient site of Mahesvari, the capital (c. 200 BC) of Arjuna Kartavirya, a Haihaya king mentioned in the Sanskrit epics Ramayana and Mahabharata. Broad ghatslanding places with stepssweep from the river upward toward the fort, temples, and palace of Ahalya Bai, a queen who selected Maheshwar as her capital in 1767. A 16th-century mosque is also of historical interest. On the opposite bank of the Narmada lies the early site of Navdatoli, where painted pottery and other artifacts have been excavated. An agricultural market centre, the town is also famous for its handloomed saris. Pop. (1981) 11,566; (1991) 15,345.