Stepwell

The builders dug deep trenches into the earth for dependable, year-round groundwater. They lined the walls of these trenches with blocks of stone, without mortar, and created stairs leading down to the water. This led to the building of some significant ornamental and architectural features, often associated with dwellings in urban areas. It also ensured their survival as monuments. A stepwell structure consists of two sections: a vertical shaft from which water is drawn and the surrounding inclined subterranean passageways and the chambers and steps which provide access to the well. The galleries and chambers surrounding these wells were often carved profusely with elaborate detail and became cool, quiet retreats during the hot summers. ==Names==

A number of distinct names, sometimes local, exist for stepwells. In Hindi-speaking regions, they include names based on baudi (including bawdi (), bawri, bawari, baori, baoli, bavadi and bavdi). In Gujarati and Marwari language, they are usually called vav, vavri or vaav (). Other names include kalyani or pushkarani (Kannada), baoli (, ), barav () and degeenar (Bhojpuri: 𑂙𑂵𑂏𑂲𑂢𑂰𑂩). ==History==

in New Delhi, rebuilt in the 14th century The stepwell may have originated during periods of drought to ensure enough access to the water. The earliest archaeological evidence of stepwells is found at Dholavira where the site also has water tanks or reservoirs with flights of steps. Mohenjo Daro's great bath is also provided with steps on opposite directions. Ashokan inscriptions mention construction of stepwells along major Indian roads at a distance of every 8 kos (about 20.8 miles or 33.5 km) for the convenience of travellers, but Ashoka states that it was a well-established practice which predated him and was done by former kings as well. The first rock-cut stepwells in India date from 200 to 400 AD. The stepwells at Dhank in Rajkot district are dated to 550–625 AD. The stepped ponds at Bhinmal (850–950 AD) are followed by it. The stepwells were constructed in the southwestern region of Gujarat around 600 AD; from there they spread north to Rajasthan and subsequently to the north and west India. Initially used as an art form by Hindus, the construction of these stepwells hit its peak during Muslim rule from the 11th to 16th century. The Mughal emperors did not disrupt the culture that was practiced in these stepwells and encouraged the building of stepwells. The authorities during the British Raj found the hygiene of the stepwells less than desirable and installed pipe and pump systems to replace their purpose. ==Location==

Stepwells are generally located in two places - as an extension or part of a temple, and/or the outskirts of a village. When a stepwell is associated with a temple or a shrine, it is either at the opposite wall of it or in front of the temple. Sindhvai Mata stepwell in Patan, Mata Bhavani stepwell in Ahmedabad, and the Ankol Mata stepwell in Davad serve as a great example of the stepwells that house shrines. ==Function and use==

The stepwell ensures the availability of water during periods of drought. The stepwells had social, cultural and religious significance. These stepwells were proven to be well-built sturdy structures, after withstanding earthquakes. Stepwells and wells played a critical role in serving as a direct means to fresh water across much of India where an abundance of fresh water is only available during the monsoon season. Because stepwells are built without mortar, groundwater below the water table line will filter through the stone and into the wells. While the rivers, rivulets, creeks, and other natural water bodies dry up in this climate zone, stepwells remain at a depth where there is less exposure to sun and heat. The majority of surviving stepwells originally served a leisure purpose alongside being the main source of water for basic needs like bathing, washing clothes, farming, and watering animals. Stepwells also served as a place for social gatherings and religious ceremonies. Usually, women were more associated with these wells because they were the ones who collected the water. Also, it was they who prayed and offered gifts to the goddess of the well for her blessings. The well-water is known to attract insects, animals, and many other germ breeding organisms. These stepwells, being a common space in frequent use by the inhabitants of the area, were considered to be a source of spreading epidemics and diseases. ==Details==

Many stepwells have ornamentation and details as elaborate as those of Hindu temples. Proportions in relationship to the human body were used in their design, as they were in many other structures in Indian architecture. ==Stepped ponds==

stepped pond, Karnataka Stepped ponds are very similar to stepwells in terms of purpose. Generally, stepped ponds accompany nearby temples while stepwells are more isolated. Stepwells are dark and barely visible from the surface, while stepped ponds are illuminated by the light from the sun. Stepwells are more linear in design compared to the rectangular shape of stepped ponds. ==In India==

A number of surviving significant stepwells in India can be found across India, including in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and North Karnataka (Karnataka). In 2016 a collaborative mapping project, Stepwell Atlas, started to map GPS coordinates and collate information on stepwells, mapping over 2800 stepwells in India. Another project mapped the location of over 1700 stepwells in Maharashtra. Delhi and Haryana Delhi In his book Delhi Heritage: Top 10 Baolis, Vikramjit Singh Rooprai mentions that Delhi alone has 32 stepwells. • Agrasen Ki Baoli • Baolis of Mehrauli • Dwarka Baoli • Rajon Ki Baoli Haryana • Ambala district: Gurudwara Manji Sahib Baoli, on NH-44 in Ambala, was built by the sixth Sikh Guru, Guru Hargobind. • Faridabad district: Surajkund • Gurugram district • Badshahpur: • Badshahpur Stepwell • Akhara Stepwell • Dhumaspur Stepwell • Farrukhnagar: Baoli Ghaus Ali Shah (Gol Bavdi) was built by Ghaus Ali Shah. • Jhajjar district: Luhari Baoli (also known as Muglaai Baoli) 8 km northwest of Pataudi on SH-132. • Kaithal district: Bhai ki Baoli, near NH-152A, was built in lakhori bricks by the Jat Sikh rulers of Kaithal State. • Kurukshetra district: Bhai Lakhi Shah Banjara Baoli at Ishargarh, 7 km north of Pipli bus stand on NH-44 GT Road, was constructed by Bhai Lakhi Rai Banjara. • Mahendragarh district • Narnaul • Nagpurian Baoli, 18th-century three tier stepwell next to the Chotta Bada Talab and Shiv Temple • Baba Kheta Nath Baoli • Nuh district: Kotla Bavdi • Rewari district: Solahrahi Baoli • Rohtak district: Choro ki Baoli at Maham. Gujarat • Rani ki Vav at Patan • Adalaj stepwell at Adalaj, Gandhinagar • Dada Harir Stepwell, Ahmedabad • Navghan Kuvo • Adi Kadi vav • Vanarashi Vav, Vavdi, Bhavnagar district • Boter Kothani Vav, Mehsana • Modhera Vav Haryana • Baoli Ghaus Ali Shah, Farrukhnagar, Gurugram district Karnataka • Kalyani, Hulikere • Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple, Karnataka Kerala • Sree Peralassery Temple Maharashtra • Charthana Stepwell, Parbhani • Pingli Stepwell, Parbhani • Arvi Stepwell, Parbhani Rajasthan , India • Bundi: has over 60 baolis in and around the town. • Raniji ki Baori in Bundi • Nagar Sagar Kund • Jaipur: • Chand Baori in Abhaneri near Jaipur • Panna Meena ka Kund, Amber • Jodhpur • Birkha Bawari, • Neem Ka Thana • Udoji ki Baori at Mandholi 5 km north of Neem ka Thana on Neem ka Thana-Mandholi-Khetri highway. Telangana • Bansilalpet Stepwell in Hyderabad • Korutla Stepwell Uttar Pradesh • Shahi Baoli, Lucknow ==In Pakistan==

Stepwells from Mughal periods still exist in Pakistan. Some are in preserved conditions while others are not. • Bahar Wali Boali Bahar Wali Baoli, in Kharian • Rohtas Fort, near Jhelum • Wan Bhachran, near Mianwali • Losar Baoli, near Islamabad • Makli Baoli, near Thatta ==Influence==

empire capital city, Trowulan Archaeological Park, East Java, Indonesia Stepwells influenced many other structures in Indian architecture, especially those that incorporate water into their design. For example, the Aram Bagh in Agra was the first Mughal garden in India. It was designed by the Mughal emperor Babur and reflected his notion of paradise not only through water and landscaping but also through symmetry by including a reflecting pool in the design. He was inspired by stepwells and felt that one would complement the garden of his palace. Many other Mughal gardens include reflecting pools to enhance the landscape or serving as an elegant entrance. Other notable gardens in India which incorporate water into their design include: • Humayun's Tomb, Nizamuddin East, Delhi • Taj Mahal, Agra • Mehtab Bagh, Agra • Safdarjung's Tomb • Shalimar Bagh (Srinagar), Jammu and Kashmir • Nishat Gardens, Jammu and Kashmir • Yadvindra Gardens, Pinjore • Khusro Bagh, Allahabad • Roshanara Bagh ==Gallery==

File:Amazing Huge Stepwell.jpg|Large stepwell at Nagnath Mandir in Hatnoor Village, Parbhani District in Maharashtra File:Bawdi.jpg|View of a stepwell at Fatehpur, Shekhawati File:Baoli Ghaus Ali Shah, Farrukhnagar.jpg|The 18th-century Baoli Ghaus Ali Shah, in Farrukhnagar, Haryana File:Birkha Bawari2, Jodhpur.jpg|Birkha Bawari, a stepwell at Jodhpur File:Rudabai Stepwell.jpg|Rudabai stepwell or Adalaj ni Vav at Adalaj, Gandhinagar, Gujarat File:Toorji Ka Jhalra Toorji's Step Well Jodhpur DSCN0671 (1) 11.jpg|Toor Ji Ka Jhalra, stepped well, Jodhpur File:Hampi aug09 243.jpg|Stepped well, Hampi File:Jachchakibaori.jpg|Jachcha Ki Baori in Hindaun, Rajasthan ==See also==