The Baolis of Mehrauli are three stepwells approached through single stage or three stage steps, located in Mehrauli in Delhi, India, in the Mehrauli Archaeological Park mainlined by the Archaeological Survey of India. These are the Anangtal Baoli, the Gandhak Ki Baoli, and the Rajon Ki Baoli.[2][3] These were built below the ground level as ground water edifices and were built near shrines in medieval times.[4]
Gandhak Ki Baoli, built by Sultan Iltutmish in the early 13th century.[1] It is one of the three baolis in Mehrauli
The baolis in Mehrauli are located in the South district of Delhi. Two of the baolis, Gandhak ki Baoli and Rajon ki Baoli, lie in the Archaeological Park maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India near Qutab Minar. Gandhak ki Baoli (to the south of the Adham Khan's tomb)[4] is at one extremity of the Archaeological Park.[2] Rajon ki Baoli is 200 metres (660 ft) away from this baoli.[5] Anangtal Baoli is in a forest 100 meters (330 ft) west of the Yogmaya Mandir, behind a neighborhood and outside of the Archaeological Park complex. While the baoli built by Emperor Aurangzeb near Zafar Mahal was illegally occupied and destroyed by locals to make residential houses.[6]
HistoryEdit
The oldest of the three baolis, Anangtal Baoli, was built in the 11th century (1060 AD)[4] by king Anangpal II of the Tomar dynasty in the then capital area of Lalkot of Delhi. Gandhak ki Baoli is believed to have been built during the 13th century when the slave dynasty of the Delhi SultanateIltutmish (1211–1236 AD) ruled over Delhi. The Rajon ki Baoli is named after the rajmistries or masons who used it. It was built during the 16th century,[3][4][7] by Daulat Khan during the rule of Sikander Lodhi of the Lodhi Dynasty.[3] The Baoli of Aurangzeb was built by Emperor Aurangzeb. It measured 130 feet by 36 feet while the well was 30 feet in diameter, it contained 74 steps and was built in three stage. The Baoli was illegally demolished by local residents to make way for residential apartments. The area of the Baoli is now an uphill road with rows of homes, shops and warehouses on each side. The area of the Baoli is now an uphill road with rows of homes, shops and warehouses on each side.[6][8]
FeaturesEdit
Anangtal BaoliEdit
Anangtal Baoli in December 2018
The Anangtal Baoli (28°31'31.7"N 77°10'53.8"E), the oldest baoli in Delhi, is a single stage step well, built by the Tomara dynasty ruler Anangpal II (r.c.1051 – c.1081).[7]Anangpal II was instrumental in populating Indraprastha and giving it its present name, Delhi. The region was in ruins when he ascended the throne in the 11th century, it was he who built Lal Kot fort and Anangtal Baoli. The Tomar rule over the region is attested by multiple inscriptions and coins, and their ancestry can be traced to the Pandavas (of the Mahabharata)" said BR Mani, former joint director-general of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).[9]
Excavations at this site reveal that the well was probably very large; some steps leading to the water are extant. It used the technique of rainwater harvesting for its storage. The baoli is located in a forest behind a neighborhood and is used as a local waste dump and pig farm, with sewage running into it. While it was supposed to be maintained by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), the Delhi High Court ordered that the Yogmaya Mandir Welfare and Management Society take over, since the DDA was failing in its duties.[10] As of 8 December 2018, the baoli is not maintained and does not have any markers signifying its historical relevance.
On 27 June 2022 Lieutenant Governor (LG) Vinai Kumar Saxena directed officials to redevelop Anangtal Baoli within two months to restore Delhi's lost and abandoned heritage.
LG Saxena emphasised that the restoration work must be appropriately done, preserving the structure's heritage identity, especially its hidden aspects.[11]
Gandhak ki BaoliEdit
Gandhak ki Baoli
Empty
Filled with water
The Gandhak ki Baoli (28°31′15″N77°10′54″E / 28.52078°N 77.18168°E / 28.52078; 77.18168 (Gandhak ki Baoli)) is a much larger step well than the Anangtal Baoli. It was built by Sultan Iltutmish in the early 13th century.[1] It has decorative architectural features. As the name Gandhak implies, the water in the step well has sulphur content and hence smells of sulphur fumes, and the water is said to have curative quality. It has a simple plan with five stages or floors at each stage, in taper down fashion, with steps leading to the water surface at the lowest level.[2][3] The stairway here is about 40 metres (130 ft) long and 12 metres (39 ft) wide.[4] On each floor there are ornate pillared passages. Over the centuries the step well got silted up and recently ASI imitated action to do desilting.[2][3] the desilting operations carried out by ASI in 2004–05 has resulted in recuperation of the water in the well to a depth of 40 feet (12 m).[5]
Rajon ki BaoliEdit
Rajon ki Baoli
The Rajon ki Baoli (28°31′13″N77°11′00″E / 28.52028°N 77.18346°E / 28.52028; 77.18346 (Rajon ki Baoli)), rectangular in plan, is the largest and most ornamented of all the three baolis in Mehrauli. It was built by Sikandar Lodi in 1516.[12] It has a series of steps forming four stages, each in descending size, with floors at each stage, leading to the water level from the surrounding ground level. Its appearance is like a courtyard of the medieval period with passages marked by stylized carved symmetrical arches spanning the columns in North Indian architectural style, which form the three sides of the baoli. There are rooms at each floor which once provided a cool resting place for people. With its incised plaster work, the baoli is an elegant architectural edifice. When built the water used to reach up to the third stage.[2][3] Over the centuries the well got silted up. It has since been desilted. The Archaeological Survey of India has carried out desilting operations of the well which was silted to a depth of 20 feet (6.1 m), during 2004–05. As a result, the water level has risen by 20 ft and 60 steps in the well lead to the surface of water.[5]
Baoli of Emperor AurangzebEdit
Situated to the west of Zafar Mahal, near the Dargah of Khwaja Qutub-uddin Bakhtiyar Kaki in Mehrauli it was built by Emperor Aurangzeb in imitation of Gandhak ki Baoli and Rajon Ki Baoli. It measured 130 feet by 36 feet while the well was 30 feet in diameter, it contained 74 steps and was built in three stage. The Baoli was destroyed to make residential houses. The area of the Baoli is now an uphill road with rows of homes, shops and warehouses on each side.[6]
^Paliwal, Amita. "Zafar Mahal: A history of the Late Mughal Monument". {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
^"Explained: The legacy of Tomar king Anangpal II and his connection with Delhi". The Indian Express. 22 March 2021. Retrieved 11 April 2021.
^"DDA fails,HC gives private body a chance". The Indian Express. 11 May 2009. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
^"The Lost Baoli of Delhi". Study with Sam - History, G.K., English, Science, Math and more. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
^Sahai, Surendra (2004). Indian Architecture: Islamic Period, 1192-1857. Prakash Books, India. p. 37. ISBN978-81-7234-057-5. Rajon ki baoli ( 1516 ) is one of the major public welfare projects of Sikandar Lodi .
BibliographyEdit
Sinha, Chandan (7 July 2014). Haunted India. Chandan Kumar Sinha. pp. 33–. GGKEY:UN4C82SCF77.
October 19, 2023
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The Baolis of Mehrauli are three stepwells approached through single stage or three stage steps located in Mehrauli in Delhi India in the Mehrauli Archaeological Park mainlined by the Archaeological Survey of India These are the Anangtal Baoli the Gandhak Ki Baoli and the Rajon Ki Baoli 2 3 These were built below the ground level as ground water edifices and were built near shrines in medieval times 4 Gandhak Ki Baoli built by Sultan Iltutmish in the early 13th century 1 It is one of the three baolis in Mehrauli Contents 1 Location 2 History 3 Features 3 1 Anangtal Baoli 3 2 Gandhak ki Baoli 3 3 Rajon ki Baoli 3 4 Baoli of Emperor Aurangzeb 4 See also 5 References 6 BibliographyLocation EditThe baolis in Mehrauli are located in the South district of Delhi Two of the baolis Gandhak ki Baoli and Rajon ki Baoli lie in the Archaeological Park maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India near Qutab Minar Gandhak ki Baoli to the south of the Adham Khan s tomb 4 is at one extremity of the Archaeological Park 2 Rajon ki Baoli is 200 metres 660 ft away from this baoli 5 Anangtal Baoli is in a forest 100 meters 330 ft west of the Yogmaya Mandir behind a neighborhood and outside of the Archaeological Park complex While the baoli built by Emperor Aurangzeb near Zafar Mahal was illegally occupied and destroyed by locals to make residential houses 6 History EditThe oldest of the three baolis Anangtal Baoli was built in the 11th century 1060 AD 4 by king Anangpal II of the Tomar dynasty in the then capital area of Lalkot of Delhi Gandhak ki Baoli is believed to have been built during the 13th century when the slave dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate Iltutmish 1211 1236 AD ruled over Delhi The Rajon ki Baoli is named after the rajmistries or masons who used it It was built during the 16th century 3 4 7 by Daulat Khan during the rule of Sikander Lodhi of the Lodhi Dynasty 3 The Baoli of Aurangzeb was built by Emperor Aurangzeb It measured 130 feet by 36 feet while the well was 30 feet in diameter it contained 74 steps and was built in three stage The Baoli was illegally demolished by local residents to make way for residential apartments The area of the Baoli is now an uphill road with rows of homes shops and warehouses on each side The area of the Baoli is now an uphill road with rows of homes shops and warehouses on each side 6 8 Features EditAnangtal Baoli Edit nbsp Anangtal Baoli in December 2018The Anangtal Baoli 28 31 31 7 N 77 10 53 8 E the oldest baoli in Delhi is a single stage step well built by the Tomara dynasty ruler Anangpal II r c 1051 c 1081 7 Anangpal II was instrumental in populating Indraprastha and giving it its present name Delhi The region was in ruins when he ascended the throne in the 11th century it was he who built Lal Kot fort and Anangtal Baoli The Tomar rule over the region is attested by multiple inscriptions and coins and their ancestry can be traced to the Pandavas of the Mahabharata said BR Mani former joint director general of the Archaeological Survey of India ASI 9 Excavations at this site reveal that the well was probably very large some steps leading to the water are extant It used the technique of rainwater harvesting for its storage The baoli is located in a forest behind a neighborhood and is used as a local waste dump and pig farm with sewage running into it While it was supposed to be maintained by the Delhi Development Authority DDA the Delhi High Court ordered that the Yogmaya Mandir Welfare and Management Society take over since the DDA was failing in its duties 10 As of 8 December 2018 the baoli is not maintained and does not have any markers signifying its historical relevance On 27 June 2022 Lieutenant Governor LG Vinai Kumar Saxena directed officials to redevelop Anangtal Baoli within two months to restore Delhi s lost and abandoned heritage LG Saxena emphasised that the restoration work must be appropriately done preserving the structure s heritage identity especially its hidden aspects 11 Gandhak ki Baoli Edit Gandhak ki Baoli nbsp Empty nbsp Filled with water The Gandhak ki Baoli 28 31 15 N 77 10 54 E 28 52078 N 77 18168 E 28 52078 77 18168 Gandhak ki Baoli is a much larger step well than the Anangtal Baoli It was built by Sultan Iltutmish in the early 13th century 1 It has decorative architectural features As the name Gandhak implies the water in the step well has sulphur content and hence smells of sulphur fumes and the water is said to have curative quality It has a simple plan with five stages or floors at each stage in taper down fashion with steps leading to the water surface at the lowest level 2 3 The stairway here is about 40 metres 130 ft long and 12 metres 39 ft wide 4 On each floor there are ornate pillared passages Over the centuries the step well got silted up and recently ASI imitated action to do desilting 2 3 the desilting operations carried out by ASI in 2004 05 has resulted in recuperation of the water in the well to a depth of 40 feet 12 m 5 Rajon ki Baoli Edit nbsp Rajon ki BaoliThe Rajon ki Baoli 28 31 13 N 77 11 00 E 28 52028 N 77 18346 E 28 52028 77 18346 Rajon ki Baoli rectangular in plan is the largest and most ornamented of all the three baolis in Mehrauli It was built by Sikandar Lodi in 1516 12 It has a series of steps forming four stages each in descending size with floors at each stage leading to the water level from the surrounding ground level Its appearance is like a courtyard of the medieval period with passages marked by stylized carved symmetrical arches spanning the columns in North Indian architectural style which form the three sides of the baoli There are rooms at each floor which once provided a cool resting place for people With its incised plaster work the baoli is an elegant architectural edifice When built the water used to reach up to the third stage 2 3 Over the centuries the well got silted up It has since been desilted The Archaeological Survey of India has carried out desilting operations of the well which was silted to a depth of 20 feet 6 1 m during 2004 05 As a result the water level has risen by 20 ft and 60 steps in the well lead to the surface of water 5 Baoli of Emperor Aurangzeb Edit Situated to the west of Zafar Mahal near the Dargah of Khwaja Qutub uddin Bakhtiyar Kaki in Mehrauli it was built by Emperor Aurangzeb in imitation of Gandhak ki Baoli and Rajon Ki Baoli It measured 130 feet by 36 feet while the well was 30 feet in diameter it contained 74 steps and was built in three stage The Baoli was destroyed to make residential houses The area of the Baoli is now an uphill road with rows of homes shops and warehouses on each side 6 See also EditGhats Rani ki vav Agrasen Ki Baoli Purana QilaReferences Edit a b Smith Ronald Vivian 2005 The Delhi that No one Knows Orient Blackswan p 12 ISBN 978 81 8028 020 7 a b c d e Das Alokparna 10 May 2009 Well worth a visit Indian Express Retrieved 1 November 2015 a b c d e f Baolis Heritage Water Bodies In Delhi PDF Tourism Department of Government of Delhi Retrieved 1 November 2015 a b c d e The Stepwells of Delhi PDF Delhi Heritage City organization Archived from the original PDF on 26 November 2015 Retrieved 2 November 2015 a b c ASI revives three water bodies near Qutub Minar The Hindu 5 October 2014 Retrieved 1 November 2015 a b c Aneja Supreet 23 June 2018 Delhi Aurangzeb ki Baoli lost in the sands of time DNA India Retrieved 14 May 2021 a b Sinha 2014 p 33 Paliwal Amita Zafar Mahal A history of the Late Mughal Monument a href Template Cite journal html title Template Cite journal cite journal a Cite journal requires journal help Explained The legacy of Tomar king Anangpal II and his connection with Delhi The Indian Express 22 March 2021 Retrieved 11 April 2021 DDA fails HC gives private body a chance The Indian Express 11 May 2009 Retrieved 8 December 2018 The Lost Baoli of Delhi Study with Sam History G K English Science Math and more Retrieved 28 June 2022 Sahai Surendra 2004 Indian Architecture Islamic Period 1192 1857 Prakash Books India p 37 ISBN 978 81 7234 057 5 Rajon ki baoli 1516 is one of the major public welfare projects of Sikandar Lodi Bibliography EditSinha Chandan 7 July 2014 Haunted India Chandan Kumar Sinha pp 33 GGKEY UN4C82SCF77 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Baolis of Mehrauli amp oldid 1171632110, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
