Step wells are fascinating structures that offer a peek into the architectural influences of the times they were built in. If maintained well, they can be tourist magnets — like the Neemrana Baoli in Rajasthan, Agrasen ki Baoli in Delhi, and the Rani-ki-Vav in Patan, Gujarat. Design and architecture students, as well as history enthusiasts, continue to research on step wells to analyse how these elaborate water channels were built along erstwhile trade routes. Step wells helped meet agricultural needs and helped communities in the vicinity flourish.
The Hyderabad Design Forum (HDF) has been on a quest — to identify and map step wells in the city and Telangana state. The group has so far identified and mapped 50 step wells in the city. Several step wells lie in a state of abandon, with a few exceptions such as the Pushkarni at Seeta Rama Chandra Swamy Temple, Ramanjapur, and the open well at Moula Ali, Secunderabad.
A symposium and exhibition on ‘Step Wells in Hyderabad’ held at Alliance Francaise as part of the Krishnakriti Festival of Arts and Culture, was a learning exercise for those visiting the gallery. HDF explained how step wells were an integral part of the urban and cultural fabric of settlements till the early 20th century. Rapid urban development led to the neglect of step wells, exposing them to the threat of encroachments.
Some of the step wells documented by HDF include:
Metla baavi at Sri Venugopal Swamy Temple, Ramanjapur
Archival material suggests that this temple complex could date back to the Chalukya period. The step well, with its long flight of wide stairs on both sides, has jharokas and disc medallions in stucco kind of work that’s reminiscent of the decorative motifs of the Qutb Shahi era. Crocodile motifs on either side of the pulley platform add a quirky touch.
Baoli at Lakshman Bagh, Raidurg
This step well was built in the early 19th century along the east-west trade route that connected Masulipatnam with the port towns in the west. The lack of elaborate decorative motifs indicate that it wasn’t a pleasure place for families and may have been used primarily by business travellers to halt during their journey. The shallow channels of the step well helped the distribution of water for irrigation.
Hathi baoli at Hayat Bakshi Begum mosque, Hayath Nagar
This mosque complex on the trade route of Surat-Masulipatnam was unique in having a mosque, idgah, an eid salah, sarai, a public graveyard and a baoli. The step well has motifs of animals and birds, in plaster work, on the walls and the water may have been used for elephants along this trade route.
The open well at Moula Ali
The de-silted and revived step well at the RPF Training Centre is one of the rare step wells that’s still functional. The open well reflects a regimented style of cantonment architecture with semi circular arches and granite courses. The well has sufficient water for the surrounding township.
Baoli at Bagh-e-dilkusha, Hussaini Alam
The Hussaini Alam step well was referred to as the ‘aristocratic bagh’ since it was a summer pleasure garden where families gathered for picnics or swam to beat the heat. The water was used for flowering and fruit trees. The architecture is a blend of Rajasthani and Mughal styles.
Vaikunta Baavi at Sitaram bagh, Asif Nagar
This complex spread over several acres near Goshamahal encompassed temple gardens, residential complexes, agricultural land, and eight step wells. Among them, the Vaikunta Baavi provided water for residences. A series of rooms adjacent to the well are replete in Rajasthani — Mewar — style of architecture with jharokas, arches and stone jaalis. The well is functional, thanks to private efforts.
Pushkarni at Seeta Ramachandra Swamy Temple, Ramanjapur
The venue is used occasionally to stage cultural events and the architecture is a synergy of both Vaishnavite iconography and Islamic decorative motifs.
