{{Short description|Medieval stepwells in Delhi, India}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2018}} {{Use Indian English|date=May 2018}} [[File:Gandhak_ki_Baoli,_Mehrauli.jpg|right|thumb| Gandhak Ki Baoli, built by Sultan [[Iltutmish]] in the early 13th century.<ref name="The Delhi that No-one Knows">{{cite book |last1=Smith |first1=Ronald Vivian |title=The Delhi that No-one Knows |date=2005 |publisher=Orient Blackswan |isbn=978-81-8028-020-7 |page=12 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cN7-8ZwviRgC&pg=PA12 |language=en}}</ref> It is one of the three baolis in [[Mehrauli]].]] The '''Baolis of Mehrauli''' are four [[stepwell]]s 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]].<ref name=Das>{{Cite web|last=Das|first= Alokparna |url= http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/well-worth-a-visit/456832/|title=Well worth a visit|access-date=1 November 2015|date=10 May 2009|newspaper=Indian Express}}</ref><ref name=Mehr>{{Cite web|url=http://www.delhitourism.gov.in/delhitourism/pdf/Baolis_%20HeritageWaterBodiesinDelhi.pdf|title= Baolis / Heritage Water Bodies In Delhi|access-date=1 November 2015|publisher=Tourism Department of Government of Delhi}}</ref> These were built below the ground level as ground water edifices and were built near shrines in medieval times.<ref name=Jain>{{Cite web|url=http://www.delhiheritagecity.org/pdfhtml/mughal/jutta-jain-stepwells-delhi-finalpaper-06Oct2011.pdf|title=The Stepwells of Delhi|access-date=2 November 2015|publisher=Delhi Heritage City organization|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151126061312/http://www.delhiheritagecity.org/pdfhtml/mughal/jutta-jain-stepwells-delhi-finalpaper-06Oct2011.pdf|archive-date=26 November 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Location== The baolis in Mehrauli are located in the [[South West Delhi|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 [[Adham Khan's tomb]])<ref name=Jain/> is at one extremity of the Archaeological Park.<ref name=Das/> Rajon ki Baoli is {{Convert|200|m}} away from this baoli.<ref name= Three>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/asi-revives-three-water-bodies-near-qutub-minar/article6472999.ece|title=ASI revives three water bodies near Qutub Minar|date=5 October 2014|access-date=1 November 2015|newspaper=The Hindu}}</ref> Anangtal Baoli is in a forest 100 meters (330&nbsp;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 (Mehrauli)|Zafar Mahal]] was illegally occupied and destroyed by locals to make residential houses.<ref name="Aneja">{{Cite web|last=Aneja|first=Supreet|date=2018-06-23|title=Delhi: Aurangzeb ki Baoli lost in the sands of time|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/delhi/report-delhi-aurangzeb-ki-baoli-lost-in-the-sands-of-time-2628211|access-date=2021-05-14|website=DNA India|language=en}}</ref>

== History == The oldest of the three baolis, Anangtal Baoli, was built in the 11th century (1060 AD)<ref name=Jain/> by king [[Anangpal Tomar|Anangpal II]] of the [[Tomar dynasty]] in the then capital area of [[Qila Rai Pithora|Lalkot]] of Delhi. Gandhak ki Baoli is believed to have been built during the 13th century when the [[Mamluk Dynasty (Delhi)|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,<ref name="Mehr" /><ref name="Jain" /> by [[Daulat Khan Lodi|Daulat Khan]] during the rule of [[Sikander Lodhi]] of the [[Lodhi Dynasty]].<ref name=Mehr/> 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.<ref name="Aneja"/><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Paliwal|first=Amita|title=Zafar Mahal: A history of the Late Mughal Monument|url=https://www.academia.edu/16598808|language=en}}</ref>

==Features==

===Anangtal Baoli=== {{anchor |Anangtal | Anangtal Baoli Anangtal baoli | Anangtal Baoli | Anangtal }} [[File:Anangtal Baoli.jpg|thumb|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 Tomar|Anangpal II]] (r.c.1051 – c.1081). [[Anangpal Tomar|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 [[Qila Rai Pithora|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).<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-03-22|title=Explained: The legacy of Tomar king Anangpal II and his connection with Delhi|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/tomar-king-anangpal-ii-legacy-delhi-7237182/|access-date=2021-04-11|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref>

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 Temple|Yogmaya Mandir]] Welfare and Management Society'' take over, since the DDA was failing in its duties.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/dda-fails-hc-gives-private-body-a-chance/|title=DDA fails, HC gives private body a chance|date=2009-05-11|website=The Indian Express|language=en-IN|access-date=2018-12-08}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Lost Baoli of Delhi |url=https://www.studywithsam.com/2022/06/the-lost-baoli-of-delhi-Anangtal-.html |access-date=2022-06-28 |website=Study with Sam - History, G.K., English, Science, Math and more |language=en-gb}}</ref>

===Gandhak ki Baoli=== {{anchor| Gandhak}}

{{multiple image|perrow=2|total_width=400|caption_align=center | align = right | direction =horizontal | header=Gandhak ki Baoli | image1 = Gandhak ki Baoli, Mehrauli.jpg | caption1 = Empty | image2 = Gandhak-ki-baoli 004.jpg | caption2 = Filled with water | footer= }} The Gandhak ki Baoli ({{coord|28.52078|77.18168|format=dms|type:landmark_region:IN|display=inline|name=Gandhak ki Baoli}}) is a much larger step well than the Anangtal Baoli. It was built by Sultan [[Iltutmish]] in the early 13th century.<ref name="The Delhi that No-one Knows"/> 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.<ref name=Das/><ref name=Mehr/> The stairway here is about {{Convert|40|m}} long and {{Convert|12|m}} wide.<ref name=Jain/> 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.<ref name=Das/><ref name=Mehr/> the desilting operations carried out by ASI in 2004–05 has resulted in recuperation of the water in the well to a depth of {{Convert|40|ft}}.<ref name= Three/>

===Rajon ki Baoli=== [[File:Rajon_ki_Baoli's_baoli.jpg|left|thumb|Rajon ki Baoli]] The [[Rajon Ki Baoli|Rajon ki Baoli]] ({{coord|28.52028|77.18346|format=dms|type:landmark_region:IN|display=inline|name=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.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Sahai |first1=Surendra |title=Indian Architecture: Islamic Period, 1192-1857 |date=2004 |publisher=Prakash Books, India |isbn=978-81-7234-057-5 |page=37 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pUnqAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA37 |language=en|quote="Rajon ki baoli ( 1516 ) is one of the major public welfare projects of Sikandar Lodi ." }}</ref> 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.<ref name=Das/><ref name=Mehr/> 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 {{Convert|20|ft}}, during 2004–05. As a result, the water level has risen by 20&nbsp;ft and 60 steps in the well lead to the surface of water.<ref name= Three/>

=== Baoli of Emperor Aurangzeb === {{anchor | Aurangzeb}} Situated to the west of [[Zafar Mahal (Mehrauli)|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.<ref name="Aneja"/>

==Stepwells in and around Delhi== {{anchor | Stepwell | Stepwells}}

* [[Delhi]]

** Baolis of Mehrauli, group of 4 stepwells *** [[Baolis of Mehrauli#Anangtal|Anangtal ki Baoli]], built in 11th century by the [[Tomara dynasty]] ruler [[Anangpal Tomar|Anangpal II]] (r.c.1051 – c.1081), is the oldest stepwell in Delhi area and it is a single stage stepwell.

*** [[Baolis of Mehrauli#Gandhak|Gandhak ki Baoli]] near [[Qutub Minar]] and south of [[Tomb of Adham Khan]], early 13th century: built by Sultan [[Iltutmish]] (r. 1211–1236),<ref name="The Delhi that No-one Knows">{{cite book |last1=Smith |first1=Ronald Vivian |title=The Delhi that No-one Knows |date=2005 |publisher=Orient Blackswan |isbn=978-81-8028-020-7 |page=12 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cN7-8ZwviRgC&pg=PA12 |language=en}}</ref> with {{Convert|40|m}} long and {{Convert|12|m}} wide stairway.

*** [[Rajon Ki Baoli]] near Qutub Minar and 200 m from Gandhak ki Baoli, built in 1516 CE by [[Sikandar Lodi]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Sahai |first1=Surendra |title=Indian Architecture: Islamic Period, 1192-1857 |date=2004 |publisher=Prakash Books, India |isbn=978-81-7234-057-5 |page=37 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pUnqAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA37 |language=en|quote="Rajon ki baoli ( 1516 ) is one of the major public welfare projects of Sikandar Lodi ." }}</ref>

*** [[Baolis of Mehrauli#Aurangzeb|Aurangzeb ki Baoli]] in [[Mehrauli]] west of [[Zafar Mahal (Mehrauli)|Zafar Mahal]], near the [[Dargah]] of [[Khwaja Qutub-uddin Bakhtiyar Kaki]], built in a late 17th or early 18th century by Emperor [[Aurangzeb]] (r. 1658-1707 CE), it is 130 feet by 36 feet with 30 feet diameter well and 74 steps in three stage.<ref name="Aneja">{{Cite web|last=Aneja|first=Supreet|date=2018-06-23|title=Delhi: Aurangzeb ki Baoli lost in the sands of time|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/delhi/report-delhi-aurangzeb-ki-baoli-lost-in-the-sands-of-time-2628211|access-date=2021-05-14|website=DNA India|language=en}}</ref>

** [[Agrasen Ki Baoli]]vnear [[Connaught Place, New Delhi|Connaught Place]] and [[Jantar Mantar]], 14th century or earlier: literally ''Stepwell of [[Agrasen]]'',<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20121021030000/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2002-01-03/delhi/27142365_1_baoli-asi-official-groundwater-level Agrasen ki Baoli gets new lease of life]. [[The Times of India]], 2 January 2002. .</ref> though some of the architectural features are from the 14th century [[Tughlaq dynasty|Tughlaq]] or [[Lodi dynasty|Lodi]] period of [[Delhi Sultanate]]. This 60-meter long and 15-meter wide stepwell is located on Hailey Road which connects Kasturba Gandhi Road and [[Barakhamba Road]]. It opens from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

** [[Hazrat Nizamuddin Ki Baoli]] near [[Nizamuddin Dargah|Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah]], 14th century: built by [[Nizamuddin Auliya|Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia]] during [[Ghiyath al-Din Tughluq|Gyasuddin Tughlaq]]'s reign.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2009-04-24 |title=Hidden for over 800 yrs,wonders of Nizamuddin ki Baoli out in the open |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/hidden-for-over-800-yrs-wonders-of-nizamuddin-ki-baoli-out-in-the-open/ |access-date=2023-08-15 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>

** [[Dwarka Baoli]] in [[Dwarka Sub City|Dwarka]], 16th century: built in 16th century by the sultans of Lodi Dynasty.<ref name="Verma">{{cite news|last1=Verma|first1=Richi|title=Forgotten Lodi era ''baoli'' discovered in busy Dwarka|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Forgotten-Lodi-era-baoli-discovered-in-busy-Dwarka/articleshow/9018659.cms?referral=PM|access-date=8 October 2016|work=timesofindia.indiatimes.com|agency=TNN|publisher=The Times of India|date=28 June 2011}}</ref>

* [[Haryana]] ** Faridabad: [[Surajkund]] built in 10th century located on [[Delhi Ridge|Southern Delhi Ridge]] of [[Aravalli range]] in Faridabad 8&nbsp;km (5{{nbsp}}mi) from South [[Delhi]].<ref name=Sharma>{{Cite book |last=Sharma |first=Y.D |title=Delhi and its Neighbourhood |page=100 in 161 |work=Surjakund and Anagpur Dam |access-date=2009-09-05 |publisher=Archaeological Survey of India |location=New Delhi |year=2001 |url=http://www.indiaclub.com/Shop/SearchResults.asp?ProdStock=8780 |quote=Page 100: Suraj Kund lies about 3{{nbsp}}km south-east of Tughlaqabad in district Gurgaon---The reservoir is believed to have been constructed in the tenth century by King Surjapal of Tomar dynasty. Page 101: About 2{{nbsp}}km south-west of Surajkund, close to the village of Anagpur (also called Arangpur) is a dam ascribed to Anagpal of the Tomar Dynasty, who is also credited with building the [[Lal Kot]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050831215230/http://www.indiaclub.com/shop/SearchResults.asp?ProdStock=8780 |archive-date=31 August 2005 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

** [[Gurugram]]: [[Badshahpur#Stepwell|Badshahpur group of stepwells]] has 3 stepwells, *** [[Badshahpur#Mohanlal|Badshahpur Mohanlal Stepwell]] built in 1905 by Mohan Lal and currently owned by his grandson Ved Prakash Mangla (c. 2018), is a [[stepwell]] on sector road near Sohna Road in Badshahpur in Gurugram.<ref name=hit1>[http://www.hindustantimes.com/gurgaon/intach-writes-to-state-seeks-preservation-of-100-year-old-stepwell/story-BnNN31JhcG1TDUBHGamD0J.html Intach writes to state, seeks preservation of 100-year-old stepwell], [[Hindustan Times]], 20 January 2018.</ref>

*** [[Badshahpur#Akhara|Akhara Stepwell]] on the same road as Mohanlal Stepwell in Badshahpur, built in 18th-20th centuries in mixed Ahir-Rajput-Jat-Mughal architectural style of 18th-20th centuries.<ref name=oldbaw1>[https://www.hindustantimes.com/gurugram/forgotten-stepwells-fine-examples-of-our-heritage/story-CyzWpFJ78ZsGL7Msu9Z5zI.html Forgotten stepwells fine examples of our heritage], Hindustan Times, 16 September 2019. Both baolis in Badhshapur are nased on the square plan with three side steps and a rectangular single steps to move down into the baoli. A stepped pond was usually built near a temple and the stepped well was built on travel routes or the outskirts of towns by nobles, queens, rich traders and philanthropists of the community to provide drinking water to the passers-by.</ref>

*** [[Badshahpur#Dhumaspur|Dhumaspur Stepwell]] in Djumaspur village near Badshahpur, built in early 19th century.<ref name=baw1>[https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=hi&tl=en&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.jagran.com%2Fharyana%2Fgurgaon-civic-17341839.html The allegations of the ancient Bawdi disappearing on church management], [https://www.jagran.com/haryana/gurgaon-civic-17341839.html Dainik Jagran], 11 January 2018.</ref>

*** Baoli Ghaus Ali Shah in [[Farrukhnagar]] on Farrukhnagar-Jhajjar road near old gate of Farrukhnagar city, 16th century: built by Ghaus Ali Shah, a local chief during the reign of Mughal emperor [[Farrukh Siyar]].<ref>[https://haryanatourism.gov.in/Destination/baoli-ghaus-ali-shah Baoli Ghaus Ali Shah], [[Haryana Tourism]], accessed 19 January 2024.</ref>

** [[Rohtak]]: [[Choron ki baoli]] or Shahjahan ki baoli in [[Maham]], built in 1658-59 CE by Saidu Kala, a local vassal of Emperor Shah Jahan (r. 1628-58 CE) on [[National Highway 9 (India)|NH-9]] Delhi-Rohtak-Meham-Hisar Road.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |url=http://www.haryanatourism.gov.in/Destination/shahjahan-ki-baoli |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181103014300/http://www.haryanatourism.gov.in/Destination/shahjahan-ki-baoli |archive-date=2018-11-03 |title=Shahjahan ki Baoli |website=Haryana Tourism |language=en-IN |access-date=2018-11-05}}</ref>

==See also ==

* [[History of Delhi]] ** [[Anangpur#Paleo|Paleolithic sites in & around Delhi]] ** [[Purana Qila#See_also|Forts and palaces of Delhi used as the capital]] ** [[Baolis of Mehrauli#Stepwells|Stepwells of Delhi]]

* [[Stepwell]], the following are UNESCO heritage listed ** [[Chand Baori]] ** [[Rani ki vav]]

* [[History of water supply and sanitation]] ** [[Sanitation of the Indus Valley Civilisation|Water supply and sanitation in the Indus-Saraswati Valley Civilisation]] ** [[Johad#Similar|Ancient water conservation techniques]] *** [[Ghats]] *** [[Johad]] *** [[Taanka]]

==References== {{Reflist}}

[[Category:Mehrauli]] [[Category:Stepwells in Delhi]] [[Category:Buildings and structures completed in the 11th century]] [[Category:Monuments of National Importance in Delhi]] [[Category:Stepwells in India]]