Stepwells (Baolis) Of Delhi

Current list of existing, buried, or destroyed Baolis 
As per the last survey done by the Archeological Survey of India, there were 32 step-wells in Delhi, of which only 16 are existing today. Originally, there were at least 100 'Baolis' across Delhi as per old journals and books written by historians but there is no confirmed/official documentation of the same

The Lahorheri Stepwell, A16th century step-well was built by the Lodhi Dynasty
 A typical design of a stepwell
There is a main deeper well connected to the confined underground aquifer which supplies water to the tank. The well water was used for drinking. The tank water was used for bathing and washing

Agrasen ki Baoli, A 14th-century step-well was built by King Agrasen. 

Rajon ki Baoli (left) is a 16th-century stepwell built by Sikandar Lodi. Gandhak (sulfur) ki Baoli (right) is a 13th-century stepwell built by Sultan Iltutmish. This well was fed by a sulfur spring with curative properties

Purana Qila Baoli (left) is a 16th-century stepwell built by Ruler Sher Shah Suri. Wazirpur Gumbad Baoli (right) was supposedly built during the reign of the Lodi Dynasty between 1451 and 1526. The actual details are still unknown.

Feroz Shah Kotla Baoli is a 14th-century step-well, built by Ruler Firoz Shah Tughlaq. This is one of the differently designed Baolis in Delhi. Unlike the linear Baolis, this one was designed in a circular form and it was completely covered. The roof was destroyed over time and Baoli is inaccessible to visitors due to accidents at the site in recent years.

Built by Ghiyassuddin Tughlaq in the 14th Century the Tughlaqabad Fort step-wells were also different in design. These wells were squarish in structure with side access. About 14 wells were supposedly constructed in the fort of which only two remain. The east Baoli is closed to the public due to its dilapidated condition.

The Lal Qila Baoli was probably built by the Tughlaq Dynasty in the 14th century or earlier. It was reconstructed or renovated by the Lodis considering the workmanship it currently has and was later renovated again by the Mughals during the construction of the Red Fort.

The Nizammudin Dargah Baoli (left) was built in the 14th century by Ghiyassuddin Tughlaq. The Baoli is in use and is fed by some 7 underground springs.  The Arab Sarai Baoli (right) was built in the 17th century by Emperor Jehangir 

The Qutub Sahib Baoli (left) is a 13th-century step-well built by Sultan Iltutmish. The Pir Ghalib or Hindu Rao Hospital Baoli (right) is a 14th-century step-well built by Feroz Shah Tughlaq. Both are in the process of revival. They were in a horrible state as can be seen.

The oldest Baoli was supposed to have been in Anangtal behind Jogmaya temple, built in the 12th century or earlier. There are some ruins found in the forest area but without excavations, it will be difficult to say where the Baoli existed and how old was it. 

The Largest Baoli areawise in Delhi is Feroz Shah Kotla Baoli. The deepest Baoli existing Baoli is the Gandhak Baoli and the deepest dried-up Baoli is the East Baoli in Tughlaqabad Fort.

Abhaneri: Off The Beaten Track

This small village was once Abha Nagari, the city of radiance, established by Raja Chand. With the changing seasons and the turn of tides, Abha Nagari became Abhaneri and was gradually forgotten. Years and years later some explorers rediscovered it while trying to find ancient step wells and still some years later some Hollywood and Bollywood movies brought it back on the map of tourist destinations.

Chand Baori, one of the largest and deepest step wells in India and perhaps the world

LOCATION

Country: India
State: Rajasthan
Closest City:  Jaipur

HOW TO REACH

Abhaneri is located approximately 95 km from Jaipur and approximately 250 km from New Delhi. Hardcore bag packers can take a bus from Delhi or Jaipur.

We took a personal vehicle from Jaipur to Delhi and on the way we stopped by Abhaneri.  With more time in hand, one can include Bhangarh and Sariska in the itinerary.  (Click for Bhangarh post)

From Jaipur one has to take NH11 (Jaipur-Agra highway) towards Dausa and drive to the toll gate at Sikandar, Rajasthan. Abhaneri is about 3 4 kms from Sikandar-Alwar toll gate. Most people know about the Baori and finding the place is not a difficult task. The village is very small and the only two noticeable places there are the ruins of the Baori and Harshat Mata temple.

Leaving Jaipur, heading towards Dausa through the Aravallis. The road is flanked by old havelis.

The step well is almost 100ft deep, 13 stories down with 3500 steps (source: Wikipedia)

Step wells were prominent in western India, southern India, and some parts of Pakistan. The wells also known as Baori, Baoli, and Vav in the local language were mainly constructed in (but not limited to) places with water scarcity. The steps were used for access and regular maintenance of the wells. Some wells had religious significance and were constructed within temple complexes with exquisite carvings of deities while some were meant for private or public bathing or for social gatherings much like the Roman baths. 

Chand Baori was built as a part of the Harshat Mata temple complex by Raja Chand. The Well came into prominence after it made cameo appearances in some Hindi and English movies (The Dark Knight Rises, the Fall, Paheli to name a few). 

The tessellation gets the head spinning :P

Restoration work is currently on (march 2016) and entering the well is strictly prohibited. There are steps on three sides and the fourth side has various chambers and terraces. Some suggest it was a temple while others say they were chambers for the kings and queens. 

The Harshat Mata (goddess of happiness) Temple stands adjacent to the Baori

This 8th or 9th-century Maha-maru-style temple was also built by Raja Chanda of the Chahamana dynasty of Nikumba Rajputs. Its most beautiful part once upon a time was the internal dome adorned with delicate carvings but today it's fallen apart and restoration work is in process. Its plinth still has some beautiful artwork.

Rajasthan was once addressed as Maru-desh or the land (desh) of desert (maru), hence the architectural style that evolved in this part of western India in the early medieval era was called the Maha-maru style. 'In this style, the temple body is treated as though it is a monolithic mass sculpted out from living rock. Its decorations are reminiscent of those possible in a brick-and-stucco tradition; they seem appliqué-like, with the carved ornamentation clothing the temple under a richly embroidered veil'. (source)