Parts of Gujarat have arid and semi-arid climate, and centuries back, stepwells ensured water for daily use, especially during drought periods. Over 120 stepwells were constructed in this region between the 5th and 19th centuries. Adalaj stepwell, an architectural masterpiece, located 18 kilometres north of Ahmedabad, stands out as one of the most famous.
The Adalaj stepwell, also known as Adalaj ni Vav in Gujarati, is a five-storey-deep structure built in 1498 and features fantastic carvings.
In the 15th century, King Rana Veer Singh of the Vaghela dynasty ruled this drought-stricken region, then called Dandai Desh. According to legend, he begins constructing a stepwell to help his people. However, before its completion, his kingdom is attacked by a neighbouring ruler, Mahmud Begada, who kills Rana and takes control of the territory. Rana’s widow, Rani (Queen) Roopba, decides to commit suicide but is persuaded by Begada to marry him.
Rani Roopba agrees on condition that he complete the stepwell first. Captivated by her beauty, Begada quickly finishes the project. Once the stepwell is completed, Rani Roopba jumps into it and ends her life. Some stories say she asks saints to bless the water before throwing herself into the well.
The Adalaj stepwell—a stunning example of stepwell architecture in western India—is made of red sandstone. Its columns and beams feature intricate carvings (images of Hindu and Jain deities) typical of Solanki architecture from the 11th century. The Solanki style declined in the 14th century, yet the stepwell uniquely combines this style and 15th-century Indo-Islamic architectural influences. Many of these designs are decorative, not structural.
Adalaj, a Jaya-style stepwell, has three entrances—from the south, east, and west—leading to downward staircases, which converge at the first level. The landing area has four rooms with oriel windows (bay windows that extend from the main wall of a building but do not reach the ground) featuring Islamic stone carvings likely created by Mahmud Begada. The walls depict women performing daily tasks like churning buttermilk and dressing up, and scenes of dancers and musicians performing in front of the king.
The well is octagonal and open at the top, allowing light and air to circulate. It is designed in such a way that sunlight does not hit the water directly, except at noon, keeping the inside temperature 6 to 8 degrees cooler than the outside. The stepwell maintains a steady water supply year-round, despite seasonal fluctuations.
The ground level of the stepwell—practically the roof—has a pulley system, which once directed water through channels to surrounding fields. A walk along this level allows visitors to appreciate the scale of the stepwell.
Two spiral staircases on the west and east sides of the well once led to the lower levels but are now closed to visitors.
Near the main entrance are tombs of the six masons who built the stepwell, five of which are still intact. Legend has it that Mahmud Begada, impressed by their work, had them executed in order to prevent the design from being replicated elsewhere.
The stepwell is open daily from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and has no entry fee. Photography and videography are allowed.
For almost 2 hours, I wandered through the stepwell, appreciating its beauty—light and shadows play across its delicately carved surfaces. The calm water below seemed to hold echoes of long-forgotten ceremonies and quiet prayers.
Related posts:
Very nice and detailed blog. Makes you feel like being there and wanting to be there.
nice