An historical step well (bauli) in the heart of New Delhi is located on Hailey Road near Connaught Place.
Step wells were developed mainly to cope with seasonal fluctuations in water. They also served a leisure purpose as pools for the aristocracy to cool themselves in the heat of summer. This "bauli" is multi-storied with a storage cistern and water wheel to raise the water in the well to the first or second floor.
The water could be reached by descending a set of steps, each level with a series of arched niches available for poolside relaxation.
- 103 steps
- 60 meters long
- 15 meters wide
(for perspective - an olympic pool measures 50m x 25m)
I was lucky to make the acquaintance of Tanu who discovered this abandoned ruin and was instrumental in having the site designated a protected monument by the Archeological Survey of India.
Here she is assuring the "official guide" that she will give Jerry and I a tour and his services were not needed at this time.
Wow Mike,
ReplyDeleteI never knew this existed! Having you be our eyes and ears for interesting abandoned sites makes me wonder what you will find next?
Alexandra Simpson > Mike Azzarello Krayenhoff
ReplyDeleteI love the new blog entry, what a cool spot :-) Were there pools on each level all the time? Or did it depend on the water levels? I am getting around to responding to your email--I was really excited about everything you had to say, I've just been feeling a bit lettered out from writing application letters :-P It's sitting in my draft folder! xoxo (also, I think that little boy monkey was flirting with you guys... isn't that what red bums mean?!)
Tanushree Khandelwal >
DeleteIf i may take the opportunity to explain. The Bauli (pool) would atomatically fill by the inflow of water from the well behind it depending on the season. The max water during rains and so on. This was for pure entertainment of the mighty and powerful rulers from the tuglak era. There are total of 7 baulis in Delhi. And the most famous of all known as KHARI BAULI and is now turned into the biggest spice market in india.
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