{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2023}} {{Use Indian English|date=February 2023}} {{Infobox Historic building |name = Navghan Kuvo |image = Navghan Kuvo 02.jpg |caption = Flight of steps leading to forecourt of the stepwell |mapframe-zoom = 14 |mapframe-marker = water |coordinates = {{coord|21.5238|70.4692|region:IN-GJ|display=inline, title}} |location = [[Uparkot Fort]] |location_town = [[Junagadh]] |location_country = India |architect = Local |construction_start_date = 2nd-7th century |completion_date = 11th-12th century |demolished_date = |structural_system = |architectural_style = [[Indian architecture]] |building_type = [[Stepwell]] |designations = [[Archeological Survey of India|ASI]] State Protected Monument No. S-GJ-116 }} '''Navghan Kuvo''' is a [[stepwell]] in [[Uparkot Fort]], [[Junagadh]], [[Gujarat]], India.<ref name="a"/>
==History== Navghan Kuvo is named after the [[Chudasama dynasty|Chudasama]] king Ra [[Navaghana (late 11th century king)|Navaghana]]. The forecourt to reach the well was probably built during his reign in 11th century. It is believed to have been completed by his son [[Khengara (12th century king)|Khengara]].<ref name="a"/>
The well is considered older than the forecourt. It is an oldest example of the [[stepwell]] according to some scholars. It is near the [[Uparkot Caves]]. The well might have been built in [[Western Satrap|Kshatrapa]] period (2nd-4th century) or in [[Maitraka]] period (6th-7th century).<ref name="a"/>
It is a state protected monument (S-GJ-116).
==Architecture== A small staircase entered through an arched doorway leads to the forecourt. The well is located at the far end of the forecourt. The water in the well is reached by a circular staircase which is cut in the soft rock behind thin stone wall of the shaft of well. The flight of the steps, first straight and then transverse, turns right around the shaft. The array of square holes in the stone wall of the shaft illuminate and cool the inside.<ref name="a">{{cite book|author=Jutta Jain-Neubauer|title=The Stepwells of Gujarat: In Art-historical Perspective|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=61fSwBF4bbYC|year=1981|publisher=Abhinav Publications|isbn=978-0-391-02284-3|pages=22, 27}}</ref><ref name="Desai2007">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gZRLGZNZEoEC&pg=PA254|title=India Guide Gujarat|author=Anjali H. Desai|publisher=India Guide Publications|year=2007|isbn=978-0-9789517-0-2|page=254}}</ref><ref name="LivingstonBeach2002">{{cite book|author1=Morna Livingston|author2=Milo Beach|title=Steps to Water: The Ancient Stepwells of India|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KoVCliqcmIIC|date=April 2002|publisher=Princeton Architectural Press|isbn=978-1-56898-324-0|page=21}}</ref>
==Gallery== <gallery mode="packed"> File:Navghan Kuvo(well)-1.jpg|Entrance of the stepwell File:Navghan Kuvo1.JPG|Forecourt File:Navghan_Kuvo(well)-2.jpg|Forecourt File:Dark Door (54748614).jpeg|Forecourt from steps File:Navghan Kuvo(well)-3(Bird Home).jpg|Soft rock hewn to make niches for birds File:Navghan Kuvo 01.jpg|Information board </gallery>
==See also== * [[Adi Kadi Vav]] * [[Rani ki vav]] * [[History of stepwells in Gujarat]] * [[Stepwell]]
==References== {{reflist}}
{{commonscat}}
[[Category:Stepwells in Gujarat]] [[Category:Junagadh]] [[Category:Tourist attractions in Junagadh district]] [[Category:Monuments and memorials in Gujarat]]