Stepped Wells of Northern India
India is full of architectural marvels. Stepwells, also known as Baori or Baoli or Vav in local Rajasthani languages, are water bodies which are scattered through out the hot dry Indian states of Rajasthan, Gujrat and Haryana. They’re believed to have been constructed between the 2nd and 4th centuries.
Stepwells were constructed in drought prone regions for local communities to have access to water and irrigation systems through all seasons. They provide water storage In addition to supplying water from deep water tables, they provided shade and were used as temples, community centers, and layovers on trade routes.
Sometimes built-in close vicinity to palaces and forts, these unique structures also worked as air conditioning systems. Their significant depth into the ground made these step-wells 10 degrees cooler in temperature than its surrounding areas, providing a respite from the hot weather conditions in Rajasthan.
The stepwells are remarkable both in their engineering and architecture. Each is different, with variations in shape (round, square, octagonal, and L-shaped) and number of entrances, depending on their environment. They are maze like structures arranged in perfect symmetry, descending with geometrical precision to reach a well. Criss-crossed steps encircle the water on three sides, while the fourth side is adorned by a pavilion with embellished galleries and balconies.
Stepwells started to lose their purpose after plumbing and taps were installed, and many were subsequently destroyed. Centuries of natural decay and neglect, however, have pushed these structures into oblivion. Many stepwells are in shambles or have caved in. Some have disappeared completely.
Chand Baori
Built by Rajput ruler Raja Chand of Nikubh Dynasty of Rajputs during the 8th-9th Century, Chand Bouri in Abhaneri, Rajasthan, is India’s largest and deepest stepwell. Extending down 3,500 steps, 13 floors, or 100ft (30m), into the ground, it is a captivating example of inverted architecture.
The well features several royal pavilions, with resting rooms for the king and queen, atop each other on the north side. They’re surrounded by zigzagging steps on the other three sides. There’s also a dilapidated temple, dedicated to Harshat Mata (the goddess of happiness), adjoining the step well.
Every year in September, a two-day festival happens in Abhaneri, against the poignant backdrop of Chand Baori, to promote rural tourism. It features cultural performances from a number of states across India, Rajasthani song and dance, puppet shows, camel cart rides, and a fairground.
Agrasen Ki Baori, New Delhi
This baoli was built by Maharaja Agrasen, is one of the most popular stepwells in India, Frequently visited by young & old, Agrasen ki Baoli is situated close to Connaught Place in New Delhi. The baoli consists of three levels and 108 steps descending into the well. As the architecture suggests, the baoli is believed to belong to the reign of Tughlaq or the Lodi dynasty.
Rani Ki Vav, Gujrat
‘Rani ki Vav’ is a stepwell located in the Patan region of Gujarat. The stepwell was built in 1063 by Rani Udayamati of the Chaulukya Dynasty in memory of her late husband, Bhimdev I. The stepwell was commissioned in 1063 and was completed after 20 years. Located on the banks of the Sarasvati River, it is one of the oldest and finest stepwells in Gujarat. Steps lead down through multiple levels with lines of carved pillars and more than 800 sculptures, mostly on Vishnu-avatar themes, as well as striking geometric patterns. The stepwell is made in the form of an inverted temple. It showcases superior craftsmanship in unique Maru-Gujrat architectural style.
Editor – The author is a Faculty of Urban Planning (Architectural Engineering) in Australia.
