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Stepwell 1

1. Stepwells, also known as baolis, are ornate underground structures with steps leading down to water. They were built in India to access groundwater and provide a cool place for social activities. 2. At their peak from the 11th-16th centuries, thousands of stepwells were constructed throughout western India. They served as sites for daily tasks as well as religious rituals and festivals. 3. Over time, some stepwells shifted from utilitarian to heritage sites as water access changed. Their architectural features and role in encouraging social interaction made them cultural landmarks.

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shradha agarwal
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273 views4 pages

Stepwell 1

1. Stepwells, also known as baolis, are ornate underground structures with steps leading down to water. They were built in India to access groundwater and provide a cool place for social activities. 2. At their peak from the 11th-16th centuries, thousands of stepwells were constructed throughout western India. They served as sites for daily tasks as well as religious rituals and festivals. 3. Over time, some stepwells shifted from utilitarian to heritage sites as water access changed. Their architectural features and role in encouraging social interaction made them cultural landmarks.

Uploaded by

shradha agarwal
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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1 Introduction

1. Introduction

Stepwells are the magnificent structures with symmetrical geometry. The labyrinth interior
i.e. steps connect the underground water and surface life and also provide dark, cool
environment enabled people to revive their spirit and make them feel better. As the well is
completely open the reflected light on stone and water gives the feeling of tranquility.

The stepwells were wonderfully alive. some people are praying, some are bathing, some are
washing their clothes, a group meeting or panchayat, some children are dancing, playing,
some gossips etc. These makes the stepwell come to life- and whole scene becomes
symbolic image for human life.

Every step of the stepwells tells us the stories of human's love, sacrifice, happiness,
sorrows.

Stepwells is a rectangular or octagonal structure containing a flight of stairs leading down


to the water. In contrast to ordinary wells, the stepwells do not require a rope or any other
devices to draw water. One could easily go down the steps and obtain water. In order to
reach the water level in the well, several stories were constructed 3, 5, 7, 9. At frequent
intervals, there were resting areas, some have mandapas or pavilion with an entrance hall
called mandapika. They often contain elaborate decorations and embellishments on the
walls, which were profusely decorated with designs of flowers, vines, leaves and animals.
The niches and platforms pillars contain sculptural depictions of god and goddess.

How can we preserve the uniqueness in these subterranean structures?


What are the architectural features that attract people?
What are the physical and non-physical factors that influence social interactions?
What are the reasons that some stepwells are changed from utilitarian buildings to heritage
sites or abandoned?
1.2 Aim

TO STUDY THE CHANGING ROLE OF STEPWELLS AS PLACES OF SOCIAL


INTERACTIONS, ITS USE AND ITS INTERPRETION.

1.3 Objectives

1. To understand and explore the activities in the stepwells.


2. To compare the changing role of stepwells through history till date.
3.To identify the distinctive features of stepwells that initiate and establish social
interactions.
4. To identify the connection between stepwells and humans.

1.4 Scopes and Limitations

The study deals with the social aspects of stepwells which increases social interactions.
The study is only related to the stepwells of Rajasthan.

1.5 Methodology

To identity the topic.


Hypothesis, aims and objectives.
About stepwells its need and importance and activities among people.
Factors influencing social interactions in public open spaces.
Timeline of stepwell in Rajasthan. Reasons for changing role of stepwells.
To get back the importance and essence of stepwells.
2. Understanding stepwells
1. What are stepwells?

“The stepwells were visible architecture that mark the entry to the invisible landscape of
underground water throughout the region, providing life and sustenance to towns and
villages.”

Morna Livingston.

Steps to water or the stepwells in India are pretty amazing structures not found anywhere
else in the world variously known as ‘bawdi’, ‘baoli’, ‘vav’, ‘vavdi’, ‘vai’, ‘kalyani’, or
‘pushkarni’. The continuous steps from ground level to bottom of the structure lead to
structure lead to water no matter how great the variation in water table. A step-well consists
of an ornate entrance gateway at ground level, an underground stepped passage punctuated
by a series of pillared pavilions, and a well at the far end. There may even be a small
reservoir to collect any surplus water flowing out of the well. Stepwells are the thread
which is made up of joy, sacrifice, love, sorrows that connects surface life to underground
water. Stepwells are spectacular subterranean edifices “like buildings into the earth.”

Chand Baori one of the largest stepwells in


the world and also one of the most
beautiful ones. The symbolic image of
Indian culture and arts

Dark and cool environment Adalaj


stepwell, Gujrat

2.2 Why were they built?

The provision of water has been a crucial role in human history. Groundwater has been
utilized since the Prehistoric times to cover the human needs. Initially, the exploitation of
groundwater has been made by shallow wells and later by boreholes. A water well is an
excavation in the ground by digging, driving, boring, or drilling to access groundwater in
aquifers. For centuries they remained an integral part of the western Indian communities as
sites for drinking, washing, and bathing, as well as for colorful festivals and sacred rituals.
They also served as cool sanctuaries for caravans, pilgrims, and common travelers during
the heat of the day or for an overnight stay.
2.3 Stepwells then and now
The first rock-cut stepwells in India appeared between 2nd and 4th centuries A.D. Next
took place the construction of wells at Dhank, near Rajkot, Gujarat (550-625 A.D.) and of
the stepped ponds at Bhinmal, in the Jalore district of Rajasthan (850-950 A.D.). After that
the construction of stepwells is known to have gone on vigorously fast spreading from the
south western region of Gujarat to the north of Rajasthan, along the western border of the
country, where several thousands of these wells were built during that period. This activity
virtually, hit its peak from the 11th to 16th century. The city of Mohenjo-Daro has wells,
which may be the predecessor of the step well leading scholars to believe that 'cylindrical
brick lined wells' were invented by the people of the Indus Valley Civilization.

2.4 Chronology

Indus valley civilization 2300 BC cylindrical brick lined wells,


200 – 400 rock cut stepwells
500 – 625 First stepwells at Dhank
Neemrana Baori
First Muslim incursion in India 732
825 – 950 Stepped ponds and kunds,
Chand Baori, Abneri
Swastika Stepwell, Tamil Nadu
Height of Jain culture 1000 – 1200
Chamukhi stepwell, Gujrat
Juni vav, modhera, Gujrat
1112 Itagi Mahadev Temple Stepwell,
1060 Queen’s stepwell, Patan
. Surya kund, modhera
Ganga stepwell, vadhvan
Mata Bhavani ni Vav, Gujarat
Establishment of Delhi sultanate 1206
Vikia Vav, Ghumli
1499 Dada harir stepwell, Ahmedabad
Start of Mughal empire 1526
Vidhyadhara stepwell, sevasi
Agresan ki baoli, Delhi
Jachcha ki Baori, Rajasthan
1575 – 1675 Many stepwells in Rajasthan
East India company 1600
1699 Raniji ki Baori, Bundi
Panna Meena ka kund, Rajasthan
Nahargarh stepwells
1650 – 1750 Baoli Ghaus Ali Shah, Haryana
Shahi Baoli, Lucknow
Painted wells in shekavati
India’s independence 1947

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