{"id":1640,"date":"2017-05-29T12:40:59","date_gmt":"2017-05-29T07:10:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jatinchhabra.com\/?p=1640"},"modified":"2018-04-29T03:41:15","modified_gmt":"2018-04-28T22:11:15","slug":"indian-stepwells","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jatinchhabra.com\/indian-stepwells\/","title":{"rendered":"Introducing the whole new world of Ancient Indian Stepwells."},"content":{"rendered":"

Stepwells, in simple term, \u201cWells which have Stairs\u201d But the science behind this isn\u2019t that simple.<\/p>\n

In India, stepwells are standing since the age of Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro, which is as old as 2500 BCE, roughly 4500 years old. During this period, square bath wells with steps created, with surrounding rooms and one could rest for a while.<\/p>\n

So, coming back to 3500 years after Mohenjo-Daro, India had stepwells which were much deeper, have room type structure on two sides (or even 1), and travelers or commuters use to rest in them as the temperature in these Stepwells are 5-degree lower than the actual temperature outside.<\/p>\n

My journey of Ancient Indian Stepwells<\/h1>\n

From July 2016, I\u2019ve visited five states in India, {New Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Karnataka} to capture pictures & local stories connected with two dozen stepwells.<\/p>\n

My goal is to create a \u201cGuide on Ancient Indian Stepwells<\/strong>,\u201d to bring more light on a particular \u201cMade in India\u201d architecture and science which is on the verge of being instinct. In my travels, I did see one & only 21st-century Stepwell in Jodhpur which has given me hope that Stepwells are still very much useful in the modern digital age.<\/p>\n

Below is a list of popular and some not so famous stepwells, which I\u2019ve explored since July\u201916 and my journey has just begun. I\u2019ll visit & add more stepwells in this list on the Grandest Guide on Ancient Indian Stepwells.<\/p>\n

Stepwell Number 1 –\u00a0Agrasen Ki Baoli<\/h2>\n

Location –<\/strong>\u00a0Kasturba Gandhi Marg, Hailey Lane, New Delhi, INDIA
\nAge –<\/strong> 1132 AD
\nBuilt by –<\/strong> Aggarwal Communities of\u00a012 century\u00a0Delhi<\/p>\n

\"Agrasen

Agrasen ki Baoli<\/p><\/div>\n

Agrasen Ki Baoli is a very popular Stepwells as it has been featured in many travel books, guides, movies and the location of this Stepwells is at KG Road, near Connaught Place, which is a prime locality in New Delhi. This stepwell is suggested to be as old as 12th century though there aren’t many written facts about this date.<\/p>\n

The design of Agrasen Ki Baoli has arch gates, which suggests that\u2019s it\u2019s an architecture of 12-14th<\/sup> century Northern India, which was the Lodhi era (Delhi Sultanate).<\/p>\n

Many have also tagged this Baoli with Mahabharata era king, Maharaja Agrasen, which makes this stepwell as the oldest one in India.<\/p>\n

Apart from this ongoing debate on this stepwell age, Agrasen Ki Baoli is a four storey stepwell which is 60-meter-deep and 15-meter-wide. This stepwell was and is still used by travelers to rest, and today it has become a popular hangout place for couples in New Delhi.<\/p>\n

The architecture of this stepwell is simple but massive, and the sight of skyscrapers behind it makes Agrasen Ki Baoli as iconic stepwell of Delhi and India.<\/p>\n

Check out the whole history and more pictures of Agrasen Ki Baoli<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Stepwell number 2 – Chand Baori<\/h2>\n

Location –<\/strong>\u00a0Abhaneri Village, near Jaipur, Rajasthan, INDIA
\nAge –<\/strong>\u00a0Between 800-900 AD
\nBuilt by –<\/strong>\u00a0Maharaja Chand<\/p>\n

\"Chand

Chand Baori, Abhaneri Rajasthan<\/p><\/div>\n

Chand Baori is by far, the most famous stepwell site in India as it\u2019s architecture has not only helped the locals to conserve water for many centuries, but it has also attracted many travellers & Hollywood directors, to feature this unique stepwell in their films.<\/p>\n

Maharaja Chand built Chand Baori as a water reservoir, and he dedicated this baori (stepwell) to a Goddess Harshat Mata, whose temples is built just next to Chand Baori. Later in the 18th century, Mughals Empire also did some restoration work here and added more rooms here.<\/p>\n

The thing which attracts travelers and filmmakers towards Chand Baori is it\u2019s 3500 steps which are all identical, room architecture built on one side of the stepwell and the science to store rainwater water for years.<\/p>\n

Though it has been suggested that Chand Baori was constructed as a temple stepwell but as per me, the only reason King Chand invested so heavily in this project, was to make sure that there is no water shortage in his kingdom, as Abhaneri is a drought prone area.<\/p>\n

Check out the whole history\u00a0and\u00a0more pictures\u00a0of Chand Baori<\/a>.<\/b><\/p>\n

Stepwell number 3\u00a0–\u00a0Hadi Rani Ka Kund<\/h2>\n

Location –<\/strong>\u00a0Todarraisingh, District Tonk, Rajasthan, INDIA
\nAge –<\/strong>\u00a01901 AD (not confirmed)
\nBuilt by –<\/strong>\u00a0Local people of Todarraisingh<\/p>\n

\"Hadi

Hadi Rani Ka Kund, Todaraisingh Rajasthan<\/p><\/div>\n

Most stepwells in India are found in the state of Rajasthan and as people make statues all over the world to remember someone, similarly Kund (Stepwell) were made in Rajasthan to remember someone for a noble cause.<\/p>\n

In the city of Todaraisingh (Tonk District), a stepwell was built and named after Hadi Rani, who was the wife of Ratan Chudawat, a commander in Mewar Army of late 17th century and chief of Todaraisingh.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s is said by the locals, that Ratan Chudawat was hesitating to join the war against the Mughals as he didn\u2019t want to leave his newly married wife, Hadi Rani. But Hadi Rani, who was the daughter of Hada Rajput family knew that the absence of Ratan Chudawat in war would bring shame on her husband and thus she gave a souvenir to boost her husband morale. It was her chopped head on a plate.<\/p>\n

This sacrifice made Ratan Chudawat full of rage and he fought bravely & even defeated the Mughals on that day. But he later killed himself as he couldn\u2019t bear the sacrifice of his wife.<\/p>\n

So, to remember the sacrifice of Hadi Rani, a Kund was built in Todarraisingh, named as Hadi Rani ka Kund, which wasn\u2019t just used to store water but also as a symbol of sacrifice which is still remembered today.<\/p>\n

View more details and pictures of this king at my article on Hadi Rani Ka Kund<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Stepwell number 4\u00a0–\u00a0Raniji Ki Baori<\/h2>\n

Location –<\/strong>\u00a0Bundi, Rajasthan, INDIA
\nAge –<\/strong>\u00a01699 AD
\nBuilt by –<\/strong>\u00a0Queen Nathavati<\/p>\n

\"Raniji

Raniji Ki Baori, Bundi Rajasthan<\/p><\/div>\n

Around 220 km south from Jaipur, lies a beautiful city of Bundi, which has a colorful history of more than 800 years. Bundi is also described as the “City of Stepwells” as it has more than 50 stepwells and the one which is known as Queen of all Stepwells in Bundi is Raniji Ki Boari or Queen Stepwell.<\/p>\n

Raniji Ki Boari was built in 1699 AD, by Nathavati (queen of Bundi). Raniji Ki Boari is a royal Stepwell and has religious importance. Even today many festivals in Bundi start from this site, and the architecture here leaves no doubt that it is one of the most royal stepwells of Rajasthan.<\/p>\n

There are three main gates in the Queen’s Stepwell and all these three large arched gates with statues of elephants on all its pillars. The most decorated gate is the final one that has beautiful stone carving done on all four sides, and the reflection of that gate on the stepwell water makes it more stunning.<\/p>\n

You can check more details and picture this stepwell at my article on Raniji Ki Baori<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Stepwell number 5 –\u00a0Rani Ki\u00a0Vav<\/h2>\n

Location –<\/strong>\u00a0Patan, Gujarat, INDIA
\nAge –<\/strong>\u00a01022-64 AD or 1364 AD
\nBuilt by –<\/strong>\u00a0Queen Udayamati<\/p>\n

\"Rani

Rani Ki Vav, Patan Gujarat<\/p><\/div>\n

Though the name of Rani Ki Vav is very similar to Raniji Ki Baori; but let me assure you that these two stepwells have nothing in common and neither the maker of these stepwells were close relatives.<\/p>\n

Built in 11th century by Queen Udaymati, Rani Ki Vav was constructed to remember the life of King Bhima I of Gujarat. There is still many questions about the correct date of this vav (stepwell), but a calculated guess is that this stepwell was built in the 11th century, and today it is the only UNESCO World Heritage Stepwell in India.<\/p>\n

Dimensions of Rani Ki Vav is 27 meters deep, 20 meters wide and 64 meters long, making it one of the biggest stepwells in the world. But the main attraction of this Vav isn’t its dimension but it’s 800 sculptures, build inside this stepwell.<\/p>\n

Rani Ki Vav is a five storey or phase stepwell and the last two floors have more than 600 statues of characters from Hindu mythology like Vedic gods Indra, Agni (god of fire), Apsaras (Angels) and figures of Shiva, Brahma, Vishnu and ten incarnations of Vishnu. Also described as Dashavatar.<\/p>\n

It is also fascinating to know that Rani Ki Vav disappeared for many centuries and it was in the year 1980 when this stepwell was discovered again.<\/p>\n

Along with UNESCO World Heritage award, Rani Ki Vav is also was the Indian Sanitation Conference (INDOSAN) 2016 making it the cleanest tourist attraction in India.<\/p>\n

For more details and pictures, have a look at my post of Rani Ki Vav<\/a><\/strong>,<\/p>\n

Stepwell number 6 – Adalaj\u00a0Vav<\/h2>\n

Location –<\/strong>\u00a0Adalaj, Near Gandhinagar, Gujarat, INDIA
\nAge –<\/strong>\u00a01599 AD
\nBuilt by –<\/strong>\u00a0Sultan\u00a0Mahmud Begada of Gujarat, India<\/p>\n

\"Adalaj

Adalaj Vav, Gandhinagar Gujarat<\/p><\/div>\n

The Vav of Adalaj is a beautiful Stepwell site and also have a tragic tale. Adalaj Vav was built by the Sultan of Gujarat Mahmud Begada, but originally the work on this Vav (stepwell in Gujarati language) was started by Rana Veer Singh, who was chief of Adalaj.<\/p>\n

It is said that Rana Veer Singh wanted to construct a stepwell for his people who had travel a lot just to collect water for daily use. At the same time, Mahmud Begada was expanding his territory in Gujarat, and he attached Rana Veer Singh and killed him in battle.<\/p>\n

After winning the city of Adalaj, Mahmud Begada met with Rana Veer Singh wife Rudabai and felt in love with her. He asked the Rudabai to marry him which the widowed queen didn’t refuse, but she put up a condition that first, the Sultan need to finish the Vav work which was started by her late Husband Veer Singh.<\/p>\n

Mahmud Begada agreed to this condition and finished up the work of Adalaj Vav by 1599 AD. He not only concluded the work of the Vav but built a stepwell which is a mixture of Hindu, Jain and Islamic architecture. There are three entry gates of the Vav, and the 1st floor has two beautiful windows with stunning stonework done on them.<\/p>\n

There are a total of 5 floors in Adalaj Vav. From the 3rd to the last floor, beautiful craftsmanship is presented on the Vav pillars, beam and statues of plants & flowers are carved out on all floors. The final level of the Vav has an octagonal shaped well & thus many have also termed Adalaj Vav as an octagonal shaped Stepwell.<\/p>\n

But all this work didn’t allow Mahmud Begada to marry Rudabai, as the widowed queen jumped the Adalaj Vav and died. And this sacrifice also earned a second name to Adalaj Vav, which is Rudabai Vav.<\/p>\n

You can check my article on Adalaj Vav<\/a><\/strong> for more images and details on the beautiful stepwell site in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.<\/p>\n

Stepwell number 7\u00a0– Hampi Pushkarini<\/h2>\n

Location –<\/strong>\u00a0Hampi, Karnataka, INDIA
\nAge –<\/strong>\u00a015-16 century
\nBuilt by –<\/strong>\u00a0Not sure\u00a0(Suggested\u00a0by Locals\u00a0Raja Krishnadevaraya)<\/p>\n

\"Hampi

Hampi Pushkarani<\/p><\/div>\n

Hampi was the capital of Vijayanagara Empire, a 16th-century kingdom in southern India which even the Romans has described as the second most powerful & richest country in the world. As they considered themselves as the first :)<\/p>\n

Though Vijayanagara Empire was blessed with good monsoons, still the kingdom had to face continuous droughts for years. So, to solve this problem, rulers of Hampi\u00a0invested time and money in Pushkanani (Stepwell).<\/p>\n

A Pushkanari is a stepwell built to conserve rain water, not by just collecting water which comes in them, but with a series of small ponds and wells which are interconnected and can store rainwater for a decade.<\/p>\n

One of the best examples of these Pushkarani is the Hampi Pushkanari which was built along with a Goddess temple. Though this stepwell was just used for temple ceremonies, but it was a part many stepwells formed in the city.<\/p>\n

Just next to this stepwell, there is a huge (100 times bigger) Pushkanari which I believe is the most biggest stepwell site\u00a0once can see in Southern India.<\/p>\n

\n

The above seven stepwells are my favorite and below you will find the list of Stepwells I’ve visited, as per their states. So, let’s start with:<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Stepwells of New Delhi.<\/h1>\n

It is true that Agrasen ki Baoli is a very popular stepwell site in New Delhi, but there many more stepwells sites build in India’s capital and are worth exploring. So, first in our list of Stepwell or Baoli’s in New Delhi, I present:<\/p>\n

Stepwell number 8\u00a0–\u00a0 Rajon Ki Baoli (Rajon Stepwell)<\/h2>\n

Location –<\/strong> Mehrauli, New Delhi, INDIA
\nAge –<\/strong>\u00a01516 AD
\nBuilt by –<\/strong> Daulat Khan, Governer in\u00a0Lodhi\u00a0Empire<\/p>\n

\"Rajon

Rajon Ki Baoli<\/p><\/div>\n

Rajon Ki Baoli is in Mehrauli Archaeological Park, near Qutub Minar, know for the ruins of 11th to 15th-century historic sites belonging to Tomar Rajputs and Khalji, Tughlaq & Lodhi dynasty. The last three also described as the Delhi Sultanate.<\/p>\n

The term Rajon here is used to describe \u201cRajmistry\u201d (construction workers), and thus it should not be confused with Hindi term \u201cRaja\u201d which means King.<\/p>\n

Rajon Ki Baoli was built by Daulat Khan who was the governor of Lahore under Lodhi Dynasty. This stepwell was a resting palace for travelers visiting Delhi and for the pilgrims, coming for prayers in a mosque just next to the Baoli.<\/p>\n

Rajon Ki Baoli is a three storey stepwell with room type structures on its first floor and a few more on the second & third floor. The ASI (Archaeological Survey of India) has carried out some restoration work, but sadly, this baoli isn\u2019t good condition as Agrasen Ki Baoli.<\/p>\n

Stepwell number 9 – Gandhak Ki Baoli<\/h2>\n

Location –<\/strong> Mehrauli, New Delhi, INDIA
\nAge –<\/strong>\u00a01211-1236 AD
\nBuilt by –<\/strong> Emperor Iltutmish<\/p>\n

\"Gandhak

Gandhak Ki Baoli<\/p><\/div>\n

Gandhak Ki Baoli is second of three stepwells in Mehrauli Archaeological Park. There is not a confirmed date of this stepwell, but it’s suggested to be built during the regime of Iltutmish, which is from 1211 to 1236 AD.<\/p>\n

The term Ghandhak is an Urdu word for Sulphur, and many have suggested that the water in this stepwell has a high amount of Sulphur. And thus a theory has been tagged with Ghandhak Ki Baoli that the water in the stepwell can cure many diseases.<\/p>\n

FYI – It’s just a theory, so I don’t advise to drink water from this Baoli.<\/p>\n

Ghandhak Ki Baoli isn’t as attractive as other popular stepwells in Delhi, but still, it’s structure has not faded in the last 800 years. The locals do use the rain water stored here for the whole year; making is one of very few active stepwell site in New Delhi.<\/p>\n

\n
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Apart from these two stepwells, there are like two dozens stepwells in New Delhi. I’ve visited the ones above, and I plan to visit a few more stepwell in Delhi which are:<\/p>\n