{{Infobox historic site | name = Korutla Stepwell | native_name = కోరుట్ల మెట్లబావి | coordinates = {{coord|18.819221784519534|N|78.71485483819446|E|display=inline,title}} | locmapin = India Telangana#India | map_caption = Location in [[Telangana]]##Location in India | location = [[Korutla]], [[Telangana]], [[India]] | restored = 2023 | restored_by = Pratistha, [[Archaeological Survey of India]] | governing_body = [[Government of Telangana]] | built = 11th century | native_language = Te | caption = Korutla Stepwell (also called as Metla Baavi or Koneru) constructed during 10th century. | image = Korutla Stepwell.jpg }}
'''Korutla Stepwell''' (also called as Metla Baavi or Koneru) is a [[stepwell]] in the town of [[Korutla]], located in the [[Jagtial district]] of the [[India]]n state of [[Telangana]]. It was constructed during the 11th century by Polvasa rulers who were [[Jainism|Jaina]] patrons of the stepwell. The stepwell had many purposes such as providing water for daily chores, being a place of retreat for travelers, and a place where [[Bathukamma]] was celebrated. In 2023, the Korutla Municipality along with Pratistha, a team of architects and urbanists from Hyderabad, took on the restoration project.
== History == The Korutla Stepwell was built in the 11th century by the [[Kalachuris of Kalyani|Polavasa rulers]] to supply water and serve as a resting place for travelers.<ref name="HansIndia">{{Cite web |last=Kumar |first=Akhil |date=2023-05-08 |title=Hyderabad: Korutla stepwell regains its past glory |url=https://www.thehansindia.com/telangana/hyderabad-korutla-stepwell-regains-its-past-glory-796381 |access-date=2025-07-11 |website=www.thehansindia.com |language=en}}</ref> Over time it fell into disuse and the precinct became a dumping yard as local residents discarded waste on the site.<ref name="TNIE">{{Cite web |last=Saila |first=Niharika |date=2023-05-10 |title=Hyderabad architects take up restoration of Korutla stepwell |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/hyderabad/2023/May/09/hyderabad-architects-take-up-restoration-of-korutla-stepwell-2573672.html |access-date=2025-07-11 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> In April 2023, a team of architects and heritage enthusiasts from Pratistha documented the structure and its surroundings using drone photography.<ref name="HansIndia"/> Later that year the [[Korutla|Korutla Municipality]] cleared debris, installed fencing, and began conservation work under a heritage-restoration project supported by state authorities.<ref name="TelanganaToday">{{Cite web |date=2023-05-06 |title=Jagtial: Korutla stepwell restoration progressing fast |url=https://telanganatoday.com/jagtial-korutla-stepwell-restoration-progressing-fast |access-date=2025-07-11 |website=Telangana Today |language=en}}</ref>
== Architecture == The stepwell is a rectangular pushkarini measuring about 12 m by 8 m with five descending levels of broad stone steps bordered by plain stone walls. Each level features regularly spaced niches that once held oil lamps to illuminate the stairways at night. At the base is a water tank lined with dressed stone blocks and fitted with drainage channels to manage monsoon overflow.<ref name="HansIndia"/> The uppermost landing retains evidence of a former mandapa entrance framed by bracketed stone supports and simple corbelled arches. Continuous stone banding marks each tier line and provides visual cohesion while protecting the carvings and masonry from weathering.<ref name="TelanganaToday"/>
== References == {{reflist}}
[[Category:Stepwells]] [[Category:Stepwells in India]] [[Category:Jagtial district]] [[Category:Archaeological sites in Telangana]] [[Category:Monuments and memorials in Telangana]] [[Category:Indian architectural history]]