Step wells of India : historical water management
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- čas přidán 11. 12. 2014
- It is extremely difficult to imagine an entire category of architecture slipping off the grid. But this is precisely what seems to have happened with the step-wells of India. Step-wells first appeared in India between the 2nd and 4th centuries A.D., born of necessity in a capricious climatic zone which remains dry for much of the year followed by torrential monsoon rains for many weeks.
Step-wells also known as Baolis were constructed throughout India during medieval times. Even before rain-water harvesting gained significance and the modern world woke up to the perils of diminishing fresh water, our ancestors realised the importance of water conservation. The sites for the step-wells were chosen where a natural depression or incline of the land meant that rain water falling in the area naturally flowed towards baoli. India had numerous baolis which have now either dried up or have been covered but a few survive even today.
A Stepwell or “Baoli” which deserves a special mention is the “Chand Baori” situated in the village of Abhaneri near Jaipur in the Western Indian state of Rajasthan. The Chand Baori is regarded as a unique innovation of the people of Abhaneri and was created with the primary purpose of rain water harvesting. Located in front of the Harshat Mata Temple, this colossal stepwell with a depth of 20 meters with as many as 13 separate levels, consists of 3500 steps. It is believed that this particular step well has certain spiritual powers and that is why it is placed within the temple complex. The state of Rajasthan is extremely arid. The design and final structure of this step well was made with the intention to conserve as much water as possible. At the bottom of the well the air remains 5-6 degrees cooler than at the surface and this place was used as a community gathering place for locals during the blistering summer months. The well and the ancient temple of Harshat Mata are both believed to have been built by King Chand, the ruler of Abhaneri and is one of the deepest step wells in India. Abhaneri has a glorious history and the magnetism of the place attracts tourists from everywhere.
“Rani ki Baoli” or the “Stepwell of Neemrana” is another stepwell worth a mention. It is a beautiful architectural monument situated in the town of Neemrana, Rajasthan.
One of the stepwells of Delhi is the Hazrat Nizamuddin Baoli. The baoli is a stepwell still remaining in Delhi that is fed by an active underground spring. The Baoli was constructed over 800 years ago by the sufi saint Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya himself. It doubles up as a swimming pool for local boys who show-off their diving skills here.
Another noteworthy baoli in Delhi is the Rajon Ki Baoli.
Agrasen Ki Baoli is another important stepwell in India’s capital city. It is thought that it was designed initially by Agrasen during the period of the Mahabharat. It was rebuilt by the Agrawal community in the 14th century.
A quiet lane from Mehrauli village leads to the Gandhak ki Baoli built by Iltutmish a ruler of the slave dynasty. It is a huge circular five-tiered step-well built of sandstone and many claim that the water of this Baoli used to smell like Gandhak (sulphur), hence the name. The Baoli remains the largest stepwell in Delhi and the absence of the water allows tourists to view and admire its architecture and intricate design.
The Wazirpur complex is another small baoli of Delhi. A Lodhi-era construction, this baoli is situated in R.K.Puram in Delhi.
Today, most stepwells lie in a dilapidated state that urgently calls for conservation and public awareness. It is about time these stepwells were restored, clearing out all the rubble, cutting back the overgrown vegetation and making it safer for people to visit these magnificent places.
Victoria Lautman's write-up from www.archdaily.com/395363/india-s-forgotten-stepwells and her research at www.victorialautman.com were invaluable sources for this short scripted film.
This footage is part of the professionally-shot broadcast stock footage archive of Wilderness Films India Ltd., the largest collection of HD imagery from South Asia. The Wilderness Films India collection comprises of 50, 000+ hours of high quality broadcast imagery, mostly shot on HDCAM / SR 1080i High Definition, Alexa, SR, XDCAM and 4K. Write to us for licensing this footage on a broadcast format, for use in your production! We are happy to be commissioned to film for you or else provide you with broadcast crewing and production solutions across South Asia. We pride ourselves in bringing the best of India and South Asia to the world...
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![Well Construction in the Middle Ages & How Groundwater Was Found [Medieval Professions: Well Sinker]](/img/n.gif)
I'm playing as India in Civilization VI on the PC, and I've just built my first stepwell.
I thought I'd educate myself a little further beyond the civpedia page, and actually see what they were actually like.
I'm not disappointed. Truly amazing archatecture, Indians should be very proud of their accomplishments.
It is painful to see the degradation of our ancient structures and also the apathy of people who litter waste into such historical structures !!!
We all should take measures to restore its original beauty through some Selfless Services now .
Many initiatives can be started like visits of College and Institution's one day trips to ensure Cleanliness in and around these structures !! Industries can also take their employees to visit such places and contribute willingly for upkeep !!!
If we can't built such structures today , we don't have right to damage them through our negligence !!!!
Modi Ji rightly said to take ownership for upkeep of our historical monuments !!!
We should preserve rich ancient heritage for next generations now and it will benefit to all of us only !!!!
Thanks for viewing, Sandeep! Do subscribe to our wildfilmsindia on CZcams at czcams.com/users/wildfilmsindia for a steady stream of videos from across India, as part of our 'Visual mapping of the Indian subcontinent' project. Also view our 'Best of India' video playlist on CZcams, and enjoy your journey across India at clipahoy.com , India's first video-based social networking experience!
Team WFIL
Actually im skeptical with regard to age (2nd to 4 th century ad?) .....I've also seen documentaries of step wells in Indus valley.Indus valley had the first step well...Indus valley is older than 9,000 bc according to sources
Exactly brother 💯
G
I first heard of these wells from Archaeology magazine. They are so beautiful.
They're amazing and constructed with beauty in mind. Pleasing to the eye. The music you picked out is very tranquil. Loved it. Take me there
The beautiful historical heritage of India. I came to watch an IELTS reading section to know about and watch.
one of the best ancient monuments in india. i haven't succeed to visit the india, although i catch plenty of practical information through these videos.
good architecture and thanks for wildfilms india for posting this informative video
This was the time when Hindu architecture was as it's pinacle
@Mansoor Ahmed lol Rani k vav
And .any.ore too
They are architecture of vastubshastrs n these stepwell has influenced by Persian kamans
Only else all is vast shastra
And Persian kamans is influenced by Greek n Roman archs
How sanitary is that water? It appears green. The architecture is magnificent.
Oldest Indian dam is 2000year old.
wonderful structures
lovely video.... full of imformation
चांद बावडी ऐक बहुत ही खुबसुरत ऐवं विशाल स्टेप वेल है। यह आपका मन मोह लेती है आप ईसे बार बार देखना चाहेगें।
Beautiful structures..
thanks for sharing
these large buildings were covered in mud. how high are you?
Absolutely beautiful. You can't tell me the people of ancient times were LESS advanced... no way. They knew things we aren't even close to figuring out.
Safeguard national treasure. Trash need to be cleared and secondary growth have to be removed to prevent structural cracks and distortion.
Great short introduction.
Amazing achievement
Ancient architects are always the highlight and would not meet today's technology
A couple of years ago, I dreamed about being in the famous well in Rajasthan going from the higher levels to lower ones and speaking with people on a beautiful sunny day. Today I have seen this place on youtube for the very first time in my life! What does this mean? I have never been to India, I live in europe and am orginally from the middle east.
Well, thanks to wildfilmsindia, your dream becomes reality! Stay tuned for much more. One day you will visit India, when travel eases up once more!
@@WildFilmsIndia Thank you, India is certainly a fascinating country and I hope I can visit it in the future. This place in Rajasthan came to me in my dreams, I have to go see it with my own eyes!
Very nice
Can't explain it...
Splendid!!!!!!!!!!
From Bangladesh
amazing
I saw it full it is extremely
very interesting I didn't know these existed ..thank you
Please tell me the name of the song. Please. Extraordinary tranquil music
Nice
Indian government must restore this magnificent beauty a world heritage....
I'd like to visit there :)
I hope will preserve them, indeed amazing structures.
Bek K Thanks for viewing, Bek K! Do subscribe to our channel wildfilmsindia on CZcams for a steady stream of videos from across India, as part of our ambitious 'Visual mapping of the Indian subcontinent' project. Also view our 'Best of India' video playlist on CZcams, and visit and enjoy your journey across India at clipahoy.com , India's first video-based social networking experience!
Team WFIL
wow
Sad to see them falling into a dilapidated state 😢 they are quite wonderful and need to all be protected!
Them Prayers are needed.
My inner voice is right.
Excellent video but it's only a fraction of all the Baolis of India. Wish you had included stepwells of Dholpur, Bundi, Gandhinagar and Patan. I feel proud to remember that I have seen all the baolis about 100s of them and took pictures. You could have also included the stepwell at Imambara complex at Lucknow.
Make a video on it with unknown rare information about those baolis
Step wells were built all over the country for long time. They are neglected. In Chittoor dist of Andhra Pradesh and in Tirumala Srivarimettu step well is ruined. They need conservation and water management.
Kdkdk
🤔🤗👌
shamefully unaware of its importance are the current people today 8(
Rajasthan is❤
We would be inspired to preserve renew or even build new ones...not only in India regarding the lack or the surabundunce of water we'll face in the futur due to the climatic change...( but would we be smart enough to construct such pieces of art and engineering nowadays ? not shure ! )
its beautiful temple
Built during the Medieval era, yeah right......
They are engineering marvels from ancient history and they still work. But why are they being used as trash dump?
veray nice
+jitu singh Thanks for viewing, Jitu! Do subscribe to our channel wildfilmsindia on CZcams for a steady stream of videos from across India, as part of our ambitious 'Visual mapping of the Indian subcontinent' project. Also view our 'Best of India' video playlist on CZcams, and visit and enjoy your journey across India at clipahoy.com , India's first video-based social networking experience!
Team WFIL
Nice very nice
Beautiful but I so hate it when the musical track drowns the narration.
to be honest the most beautiful thing here for me is the music
BEAUTIFUL INDIA RUINED BY OVERPOPULATION
Ye kya halat bana rakha hai in sundar jagohn ka! Logon ko yahan kachra dalne me zara si bhi sharm nahi ati😡. Sudhar jao gadhoon
Why did they stop using them?
actually I am studing on step wells of India
hey
hey
Rajasthan government shame on you..
Kya halat ki hai iss khoobsurat jagah ki...
Hi
please...the function of this is not so that its purpose is a well unless its a underground spring.for the enhancement of energies may they be good or bad,
not a well originally at all
b
Architectural Arthritis
I wonder what stops our Archaeological Society of India to takeover these monuments for restoration to its original and develop them as tourist spots and parks with some nominal entrance fees. After all who has to take care of our national heritage? We cannot just leave it to degrade and lose them forever.
Why we lossed our city management skills
beautiful but sad they trashed the place. they know this pal e is holy yet the throw rubbish everywhere.
What a shame, they are so ill maintained.
borin
sala sara pani sukh jata h to ye hari gandagi kyu ni sukhti
You all ruining it over there..
Indian ho too hindi mee bolo
Evey undian is not hindi
Video is not informative
I am a historian
And an architect as an passionate man
The water isnt running out. Its just locked up in people and animals. You are 80% water. 7+ billion people hold a lot of water and just imagine how much water the huge farms across the world hold in the animals.
can Muslims can construct like these monuments their monuments r all similar with red Sones no other different structures by them
Medieval Hindu architecture is copied from muslims
Dumbo many of them are Sultanate era boundaries.
@@oneman80840
Lol 😂, which architecture I need to know. It was build in 9th century, till then no muslim was entered.
Muslim can build toilets like kabba, tak mahel only.
Rubbish is everywhere