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.
