Chand Baori- stepwell

STEPPED WELL BUILDING SERVICES CHAND BAORI • Introduction • History • Structure • Features

HIMA KARTHIK. S 1190100870 II YEAR IV SEM SPA VIJAYAWADA

STEPWEL – USES AND CONSTRUCTION Stepwell, Gujarati vav, Hindi baoli or baori, subterranean edifice and water source, an architectural form that was long popular throughout India but particularly in arid regions of the Indian subcontinent.

• For centuries, stepwells, which incorporated a cylinder well that extended down to the water table, provided water for drinking, washing, bathing, and the irrigation of crops. They also served as cool sanctuaries for caravans, pilgrims, and other travelers during the heat of day or overnight.

• Stepwells were excavated several stories underground in order to reach the water table, the level at which the soil or rock is always saturated with water. Stylistically varied, they incorporated flights of stairs leading from the ground level down to the water

Chand Baori (Rajasthan)

• The stepwell ensures the availability of water during periods of drought. The stepwells had social, cultural and religious significance. These stepwells were proven to be well-built sturdy structures, after withstanding earthquakes.

• Stepwells influenced many other structures in Indian architecture, especially those that incorporate water into their design.

CONSTRUCTION The builders dug deep trenches into the earth for dependable, year-round groundwater.

They lined the walls of these trenches with blocks of stone, without mortar, and created stairs leading down to the water.

• Early stepwells were made of stone, later stepwells were made of mortar, stucco, rubble and laminar stones.

DETAILS OF STEPWELL • Stepwells usually consist of two parts: a vertical shaft from which water is drawn and the surrounding inclined subterranean passageways, chambers and steps which provide access to the well.

• The galleries and chambers surrounding these wells were often carved profusely with elaborate detail and became cool, quiet retreats during the hot summers.

CURRENT STATE OF STEPWELLS AND THEIR FUTURE • By the early 21st century, only a handful of stepwells had remained in relatively decent condition, particularly those where tourists were likely to visit.

• For most structures, however, the prevailing condition was deplorable for a host of reasons.

• Also, modern substitutes, such as village taps, plumbing, and water tanks, eliminated the physical need for stepwells, if not the social and spiritual aspects.

Depletion of groundwater from unregulated pumping caused many of the wells to dry up, and, when water was present, it generally was fouled by garbage or was overgrown with vegetation from lack of attention, even when temple wells were still being actively used.

• Grim as the deteriorating stepwells may seem, the growing urgency for water conservation has spearheaded some presentday efforts to de-silt and reactivate a few wells in Delhi and Gujarat in the hopes that they might once again serve to collect and store water.

INTRODUCTION

ARCHITECTURAL STYLE: Mihir bhoj

The Chand Baori is a stepwell built over a thousand years ago in the Abhaneri village of Rajasthan.

It is one of the largest stepwells in the world and also one of the most beautiful ones.

• Located in the eastern part of the province of Rajasthan, it was built by King Chanda somewhere in the 9th century.

• About 64 feet deep, it is India’s largest and deepest stepwells with 13 floors and was built in the 9th century for water harvesting.

Ariel view of Chand baori • The steps form a magical maze and the consequent play of light and shadow on the structure gives it a captivating look • It has an enclosed rectangular courtyard kind of structure.

HISTORY • Chand Baori is said to be named after a local ruler called Raja Chanda. However, no epigraphic evidence has been found regarding the construction of the Chand Baori or the adjoining Harshat Mata Temple.

• Based on similarities in style and carvings with the terraced temples of Paranagar and Mandore, the Baodi can be dated to 8th-9th century. It was likely constructed before the temple.

The Chand Baori is one of the few stepwells that has “two classical periods of water building in a single setting”.

• The oldest parts of the step-well date from the 8th century onwards, An upper palace building was added to the site, which is viewed from the tabulated arches used by the Chauhan rulers and the cusped arches used by the Mughals.

The upper stories with the columned arcade around it were built around the 18th century during the Mughal era.

The Mughals also added art galleries and a retaining wall around the well.

• The nearby Harshat Mata Temple was a pilgrimage site and formed a complex together with the well. Many of these stepwells, including Chand Baori, served multiple purposes including drawing water and religious or ceremonies activities.

This unique form of underground wellarchitecture remains constant from the 7th century in the existing monument.

• Excavated stones of the temple are now kept by the Archaeological Survey of India in the arcades of the well. Chand Baori plays an important part of the main current of architectural activity in the western India.

Decoration

STRUCTURE Chand Baori is a deep four-sided well with a large temple on the back face of the building.

• The basic architectural aspects of a monumental well consist of a long corridor of steps leading to five or six story below the ground level which can be seen at the site.

• Chand Baori consists of 3,500 narrow steps over 13 stories. It extends approximately 30 m (100 ft) into the ground, making it one of the deepest and largest stepwells in India.

Frontal view of Chand baori • The state of Rajasthan is extremely arid, and the design and final structure of Chand Baori was intended to conserve as much water as possible.

• Ancient Indian scriptures made references to construction of wells, canals, tanks and dams and their efficient operation and maintenance.

• This site combined many of these operations to allow for easy access to local water.

Section

Plan of Chand baori

• At the bottom of the well, the air remains 5-6°C cooler than at the surface, and Chand Baori was used as a community gathering place for locals during periods of intense heat. One side of the well has a haveli pavilion and resting room for the royals.

Fountain at Chand baori

• The stairs encircle the water on the three sides while the fourth side boasts of a pavillion with three storeys with beautiful carved jharokhas, galleries supported on pillars and two projecting balconies enshrining beautiful sculptures.

Sculptures and statues at Chand baori

Frontal view

Chand baori detail Stairs

Stone carved window of the royal haveli

Stairs & Stair detail

Arched arcade around the well

Inside view

REFERENCES • http://www.chandbaori.org/ • https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/destinations/the-djinn-of-rajasthans-exquisit e-chand-baori/as65578034.cms • https://www.inditales.com/chand-baori-stepwell-abhaneri/ • https://www.indiatvnews.com/amp/lifestyle/news-chand-baori-rajasthan-deepest-well-i n-india-384541

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