History of stepwells in Gujarat

The stepwells are wells in which water in reached by steps. They are most commonly found in western India especially Gujarat where over 120 such wells are reported. The origin of stepwell may be traced to reservoirs of the cities the Indus Valley Civilization such as Dholavira and Mohenjo-daro. The stepwells were constructed in the south western region of Gujarat around 600 AD from there it spread north to Rajasthan and subsequently to north and west India. The construction activities accelerated during the 10th to 13th century during Solanki and Vaghela periods. The construction of these stepwells hit its peak during the 11th to 16th century. The Muslim rulers of 13th to 16th century did not disrupt the culture that was practiced in these stepwells and encouraged the building of stepwells. They lost their significance in the 19th century due to introduction of waterpumps and pipe-system.

Ancient period

One of the water reservoirs, with steps, at Dholavira

The stepped well may has originated to ensure water during the period of drought. The water is considered sacred from the time of Vedas and the steps to reach water level in artificially construed reservoirs can be found in the sites of Indus Valley Civilization such as Dholavira and Mohenjo-daro.^[1]

2nd-10th century

Navghan Kuvo

Adi Kadi Vav

The earliest example of bath-like pond reached by steps is found at Uperkot caves in Junagadh. These caves are dated to the 4th century. Navghan Kuvo, a well with circular saircase, in vicinity is an another example. It is possibly built in Western Satrap (200-400 AD) or Maitraka (600-700 AD) period though some place it as late as the 11th century. Nearby Adi Kadi ni Vav is constructed either in the second half of the 10th century or 15th century.^[2][3]

The earliest stepwells are found at Dhank in Rajkot district of Gujarat which are dated to pre-Chalukyan period. Nearby Bochavdi stepwell near Bochavdi Nes in Alech hills is slightly earlier than two other stepwells in Dhank. These two stepwell are Jhilani stepwell dated to 600 AD and Manjushri stepwell dated to the early 7th century based on their Saurastra style architecture.^[4]

10th-12th century

Rani ki vav

Mata Bhavani's Stepwell, Ahmedabad, 1866

The stepwell as an artistic architecture started during Solanki period. The stepwell situated west of kund of Modhera Sun Temple may belong to the 11th century whereas the mandapa above ground to the 10th century. The Rani ki vav (the Queen's stepwell) of Patan is construted around 1050 AD. Ankol Mata stepwell at Davad and Mata Bhavani's Stepwell in Ahmedabad belonged to the third quarter of the 11th century.^[5]

Several stepwells are ascribed to Minaldevi, the mother of Solanki ruler Siddharaj Jaisinh. The lake in Viramgam and a stepwell in Nadiad are ascribed to her.^[5] The Minal stepwell in Balej village in Sabarkantha district is ascribed to her and is built in 1095 AD (Samvat 1152). Another Minaldevi Vav in Virpur in Rajkot district is also ascribed which is stylistic affinities to Solanki architecture.^[6][3] Asapuri stepwell of Ahmedabad and the stepwell of Jhinjhuwada are of the 12th century. The Chaumukhi stepwell of Chobari in Surendranagar district depicts religious figures similar to nearby temples.^[3] the two stepwells in Kaleshwari-Ni Nal near Lunawada resembles to Rani ki Vav in iconography so they may belong to end of the 10th century. The stepwell in Dhandhalpur is ascribed to Siddharaj Jaisinh. During the rein of Kumarpal in the 12th century, several stepwells are constructed. The stepwell at Vayad near Patan is built during this time. Ganga stepwell at Wadhwan dated to 1169 AD (Samvat 1225).^[7]

During later years of Solanki period, the constructions slowed down due to political unrest. The Vikia and Jetha stepwells near Navlakha Temple, Ghumli near Barda hills belonged to these 13th century. Gyan stepwell near Visavada village in Barda hills ascribed to time of Bhima II. The ruined stepwell of nearby Keshav village is also of same period.^[8]

12th-13th century

Ra Khengar stepwell between Vanthali and Junagadh is stated to be constructed by Tejpal of the Vastupal-Tejpal, the brother-ministers in Vaghela court. It belongs to early Vaghela period. Visaldev of Vaghela dynasty built stepwell along with gates and temples at Dabhoi completed in 1255. The Satmukhi stepwell in Dabhoi is a temple built over tank with seven wells ascribed to him.^[8][3]

The Madha stepwell in Wadhwan is built in 1294 AD (Vikram Samvat 1350) by Nagar Brahmin Madha and Keshav, the ministers in court of last Vaghela ruler Karan Ghelo.^[3] The Batris Kotha stepwell in Kapadvanj may belonged to the 13th century due to its similarity with Madha and Vikia stepwells.^[8][3]

14th-15th century

Adalaj Stepwell

Dada Harir Stepwell

The large number of stepwells are constructed in the 14th century. Sodhali stepwell in Mangrol built in 1319 AD (V. S. 1375) by Vali Sodhala of Modha caste.^[8] The stepwell near Brahma temple of Khedbrahma belonged to 14th century judged by its style.^[9]

The Suda stepwell in Mahuva (1381 AD); Hani stepwell in Dhandhusar (1389/1333 AD) and Siddhnath Mahadev stepwell in Dholka are built during Tughlak rule in Gujarat. The stepwell od Sampa near Ahmedabad is built in 1328 AD.^[9] The Rajba stepwell of Rampura near Wadhwan and the Wadhwani stepwell in Khambhat are built in 1483 and 1482 respectively based on earlier Madha stepwell of Wadhwan.^[9][3] The Dada Harir Stepwell was built ib 1499 by the harem lady of Mahmud Begada.^[9][3]

During the Muslim period, the religious aspect of stepwells lost its significance. The stepwell of Sodali village near Mahemdavad and the stepwell in Mahemdavad itself, both belonged to the 15th century rule of Mahmud Begada, are its example. The two stepwells found in and around Vadodara are of the 15th century which include near Sewasi village (V. S. 1537) and Navalakhi stepwell (1405 AD) of Laxmi Vilas Palace.^[10]

The Adalaj Stepwell was constructed by Rudabai in 1499 AD. Nearby stepwell in Chhatral also belonged to same period.^[10][3]

16th-18th century

Amritavarshini Vav

The Nagabawa stepwell in Dhrangdhra (1525 AD) and Jiva Mehta stepwell in Morbi are of same style and period. The stepwell of Roho (1560 AD) was built by Champa, the wife of Raja Shri Nanaji and her daughter. There are also important stepwell in Palanpur and Jhinjhuwada.^[11]

Several stepwells are plain in design without any ornamentation which makes it difficult to ascertain their period but may belong to the 16th or 17th century. Such stepwells are in Hampur, Idar, Matri stepwell in Kankavati and Gyaneshwari stepwell in Modhera. The stepwell of Mandva in north Gujarat is similar to that of Mahemdavad so may belong to that period. The Sindhvai Mata stepwell in Patan has inscription dating 1633 AD. The Ravli stepwell of Mangrol is of the 17th century. The stepwell in Limboi near Idar is with Solanki style ornamentation and dated to 1629 AD.^[11][3]

The Amritavarshini Vav in Ahmedabad, completed in 1723, is L-shaped.^[11][3]

19th-20th century

The authorities during the British Raj found the hygiene of the stepwells less than desirable and had installed pipe and pump systems to replace their purpose. The Jethabhai's Stepwell in Isanpur, Ahmedabad is completed in the 1860s for irrigation. The stepwell of Wankaner palace was built by earstwhile rulers in the 1930s as a cool place of retreat for royal family. It is built in white sandstone and is the last monument of its kind.^[11]

Due to waterpumps and pipe-system, the stepwells lost its significance and due to economic cost, they were not constructed thereafter.^[11]

Reflist

Bibliography

• Jutta Jain-Neubauer (1981). The Stepwells of Gujarat: In Art-historical Perspective. Abhinav Publications. pp. 19–24. ISBN 978-0-391-02284-3.