After more than a year of work, the Jamshed Baoli (step well), which was filled with stones and debris, has finally been restored. In fact, it was also found to have the biggest catchment area at 14,000 sq. mts., which is the biggest amongst all the six baolis in Qutb Shahi tombs premises.
“We have removed about 5,000 cubic feet of stones and debris, which had been dumped into the Baoli over the years. Now there is about four feet of water inside, and we will redo the boundary walls wherever it is necessary,” said Ganesh Reddy from the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC), which is restoring the monuments in the necropolis.
Mr. Reddy said huge chunks of stones were also removed from the baoli, which lies behind the tomb of Jamshed Quli Qutb Shah, the second king of the Qutb Shahi dynasty. “Each of the huge stones weighs about 400 to 500 kilogramme, and they were all dumped here or were part of the boundary wall and had fallen off,” he explained.
In the course of work, which took about three months, workers had to remove stones and debris from 10 feet inside the Baoli. “Now there is an aquifer inside, so once it starts raining, water will be collected. As of now, the Hamam Baoli, Badi Baoli and the Jamshed Baoli have been restored,” Mr. Reddy said, adding that plants which were damaging the structure have also been removed.
“On an average, about 15 people were working there at any given point in time. We completed the work now in anticipation of the monsoon. It is believed that the baolis were used for irrigating the orchards in the premises, and we will also use it for the same purpose,” said Ratish Nanda, CEO, AKTC.
He added that being completely dry gave them a chance to fully clean up the step well.
“The other baolis will be restored as well. Even for the restoration works, water will be used from the baolis,” stated Mr. Nanda. He said that the first phase of the ongoing restoration will be completed by mid-2017.
