Agrasen Ki Baoli
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The Agrasen ki Baoli ( Hindi : अग्रसेन की बावली) is a sunk into the ground fountain building ( step wells ) from the 14th or 15th century near the Connaught Place in New Delhi , India .
history
According to local tradition, the Agrasen stepwell is said to be more than 2000 years old. However, this contradicts its strict and aniconical architecture, which with its rows of blind arches is more likely to be attributed to the 15th or 16th century, i.e. the Islamic- dominated time of the Sultanate of Delhi or the Mughal period . It is said to have been donated by the Agravalis , who mostly belonged to the wealthy merchant caste of the vaishyas .
function
During the annual monsoon season in summer, the entire building fills with rainwater, which then evaporates again or seeps into the surrounding soil through the construction joints between the stones. Because of the staircase construction, however, water could previously be drawn without help from winches or animals ( oxen or camels ) at any time of the day or year - a task that in earlier times was mostly the responsibility of women.
architecture
The deepest point of the approximately 60 m long, 15 m wide and about 20 m deep structure was originally permanently below the groundwater level, which, however, has steadily sunk in recent decades. The back wall of the upper niche on the round fountain shaft behind it is slightly curved, whereas the other niches close with flat walls. Not only the main staircase leads down, but also two narrow staircases hidden behind the arcade arches at the sides ; these offered additional light and privacy protection (especially for women).
See also
literature
- Morna Livingston, Milo Beach: Steps to Water. The Ancient Stepwells of India. Princeton Architectural Press, 2002, ISBN 1-56898-324-7 .
Web links
- Agrasen Ki Baoli - Video (English)
Coordinates: 28 ° 37 ′ 33.2 ″ N , 77 ° 13 ′ 30.4 ″ E