THE LIVING STEP WELLS OF WARANGAL

A TESTIMONY OF PAST GLORY

SUB THEME – ARCHITECTURAL CULTURE AND HERITAGE MANAGEMENT

AMULYA DESU – 221915501007

GITAM SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE
221915501007@gmail.com

ABSTRACT
The elegance of Indian underground architecture is best exemplified by the stepwells. The name "stepwell"
refers to the essential structural elements of a monumental well, which are a lengthy corridor of stairs leading
to five to six storeys below ground level. Stepwells played a significant role in India from the seventh to the
nineteenth centuries. This research work attempts to highlight the relevance of the distinctive stepwell
typology and water-related architectural landmark.

Keywords: Stepwells, Cultural Heritage, Subterranean architecture, Monumental well, Sculptures, Carvings,
Water conservation, Restoration.

1.INTRODUCTION
The phrase "stepwell" refers to a subterranean water-related structure that includes a well and steps that
descend from the surface to an underground water source. They were developed to capture water that fell
during India's violent monsoon season. Stepwells, particularly the exquisite carvings on their walls, are
among the most distinctive and little-known features of Indian architecture. Stepwells, also known as
"bawdi," "baoli," "vav," "vavdi," "vai," "kalyani," or "pushkarni," are essentially deep pits or rock-cut wells or
water ponds that must be accessed by a winding flight of stairs or steps. They are referred to as "Vapi" or
"Vapika" in ancient inscriptions in the Sanskrit Silpa-Shastras. India is where the idea of a stepwell actually
began. It is well-known for its flawless architecture and water engineering. Water from Stepwell is available
for drinking, cleaning, bathing, water collection, and other uses. Actually, they served as reservoirs, storage
containers, and Hindu temples with beautiful stone sculpture on the columns and pavilions. Here, travellers,
explorers, and caravans spend the night or a sunny day.

THE FUNCTION AND USE OF STEPWELLS

The delivery of water is the stepwell's primary purpose. The northwestern region experiences a hot and dry
environment. During the rainy season, water is only abundant for a short period of time. Artificial ponds and
reservoirs are unable to hold water for an extended period of time. In addition, water eventually goes bad.
The only source of water is a stepwell that is deeply buried in the ground and shielded from the sun and
heat. Stepwells that draw their water from underground springs are constantly supplied with clean water
that has been filtered through the ground. Stepwells provided water not only for domestic usage but also for
personal requirements like bathing and washing clothing as well as for agriculture. The village's stepwell
placement is advantageous since stepwells.

RELATION BETWEEN STEPWELLS AND WOMEN

Several myths portrayed waterways as feminine and maternal. Numerous rivers in the nation, including the
Ganga, Yanuma, Narmada, and Tapicte, are revered as feminine deities.These women came together because
they share a special connection to water, which is a fundamental necessity of all living things. Stepwells
created chances for women for all women worldwide, educated and illiterate, from all locations, lower and
higher economic classes.
 It strengthened the relationships and established a sense of camaraderie among women from all backgrounds.
Women needed water to carry out their essential domestic tasks, such as cooking, bathing, cleaning the
home, etc. Women largely confined to the home had no opportunities to interact with the outside world,
develop networks, or wield authority.

Women had the opportunity to leave their domestic homes and enter the public realms by going to collect
water from stepwells. The restrictions of their daily lives in a patriarchal society, where they were treated as
mere objects by their families, in-laws, and other relatives, could now be temporarily exchanged for a
semblance of freedom and autonomy. Women could express their feelings and seek support from other
women away from men and strangers when they gathered at stepwells to share their joys, sorrows, and
frustrations. Vavs and Kunds also created vital cultural and social spaces that were accessible to everyone,
regardless of gender, class, or religion.

The wells were used for worship and other religious activities. These wells have a lot of sculptures honouring
fertility deities. There are also pictures of home life with gods, people, and animals in them. Islam, on the other
hand, forbade the representation of any form of creature, hence Islamic stepwells instead featured pictures of
flora and trees. Stepwells were created to be gender-neutral areas, but due to the symbols carved into them, it
is clear that they are also linked with domesticity, the earth, and fertility. Of course, there are several instances
of moats from the Historical and Medieval periods spread out across the nation.

HEALING POWERS OF WATER

In Vedic traditions, water is said to be endowed with exceptional magical and transformative powers; the
dwelling places for water nymphs and spirits. Water is said to contain medicinal properties, on account of the
mineral content in it. Referring to the healing qualities of water, the Rig Veda4 states:

• Healing are the watery billows.

• Water cools the fever’s glow.
• Healing against every plague.
• Health to thee brings water’s flow.

VOICES FROM THE DEEP

Stepwells of India In 1864, the famous French world traveller Louis Rousselet stated that "[a] vast sheet of
water, covered with lotuses in flower, amid which thousands of aquatic birds are sporting" at the shores of
which bathers washed, surrounded by jungle greenery. It was not a beautiful lakeside scene or a Ghatian river
bank he was describing, but one of the most ancient relics that have mesmerized Indians as well as foreigners
alike - The Stepwells. Stepwells in India are exquisite structures which consist of broad steps leading from the
ground level to deep within the earth to the underground water reservoir; some going 8 to 10 storeys below
the surface.

These exceptional structures are not found anywhere else in the world. Stepwells are deep trenches or rock-
cut wells or pools of water reached by a set of stairs or steps and are known by a variety of regional names like
"bawdi," "baoli," "vav," "vavdi," "vai," "kalyani," or "pushkarni." The Sanskrit Silpa-Shastras7 and ancient
inscriptions refer to them as "Vapi" or "Vapika." Stepwells are examples of traditional Water buildings, which
came up for the purpose of storage of water and irrigation tanks that were developed in India, primarily to
manage the seasonal fluctuations in the availability of water. Some of the other notable structures that are
encompassed in the category of Water buildings are ponds, tanks, and temple tanks. Temple tanks (or tanks)
are large reservoirs of water with a few steps leading to the water level.But due to the proportions, water is
mostly used for bathing and in the case of temple tanks, used for ritualistic purposes. There were neither
shaded areas around it nor any spaces for respite. These were purely utilitarian in nature and served specific
purposes.
 2.METHODOLOGY

STEPWELLS IN WARANGAL

1000 PILLAR KONERU

KOTHAWADA
STEPWELL

HANAMKONDA

ANTHASTHULA
BAVI
KARIMABAD
STEP WELL

URSU DARGAH WARANGAL FORT

WELL
 THE ANTHASTHULA BHAVI

LOCATION

16-4-438,under bridge Rd, Shiva Nagar, Warangal, Telangana

A PASSAGE TO THE PAST

In Warangal, Anthasthula Bavi is a very well-known Step well. Although there aren't
many written records about this time period, it is believed that this step well dates back
to the 12th century. The arch gates in the Metlabavi design show that the building dates
to the 12th to the 14th century. the origin of this ancient well is not known, but the
local people say that it was built by the kakatiyas. Most of the pillars used for this well
are similar to that of kakatiya architecture. Several people have also connected this with
Rani Rudrama, the Queen of the Kakatiya dynasty who is reputed to have had a
swimming pool.
 ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES

This well is a two-story step well that is 20 metres deep and 5 metres broad. The southern
side has covered steps that separate the two levels of construction. The actual well is built
with both decorative and simple pillars and measures around 12 by 12 metres square with a
2 metre platform all around. The emblems for the crescent moon and sun are etched on one
of the pillars on the southern side. On this pillar, there are also faint traces of letters, but they
are not legible. On the north-east corner, a temple ceiling slab is fastened in the well, and on
the south-west corner, a frieze of female dancing figurines is carved in the kakatiyan style. On
the southern side, there is a stepping entrance leading inside the well. A later lime and brick
building, the compound wall and drain. It is now being disrupted in many locations. Locals
still utilise this step well to get their water. This stepwell is one of Warangal's most
recognisable due to its modest yet impressive architecture. Although the origin of this old
well is unknown, the locals claim that the kakatiyas were responsible for its construction. The
pillars of this step well very obviously resemble the classic kakatiyan architecture. This well is
the perfect example of kakatiyan design, with inside steps and hallways where bathers and
swimmers can sit and relax after a workout. Similar to those seen at Warangal fort and the
Thousand Pillar Temple, the pillars supporting this well are made of granite rock. The water
comes from a natural source. A later lime and brick building, the compound wall and drain. It
is now being disrupted in many locations.

CLASSIFICATION

TYPOLOGY – Open
SHAPE – Rectangular
PRIMARY PURPOSE – Cool retreat
ARCHITECTURE – Nanda (stepwells with
just one entrance)
MATERIAL -- Stone
 PRESENT SCENARIO

• The entire building has to be renovated, repaired, and preserved.

• The water and the structure is not well maintained.
• And it is not accessible to everyone.

MEASURED DRAWINGS

PLAN

SECTION
 THE 1000 PILLAR TEMPLE STEP WELL

LOCATION

Thousand pillar temple ,Brahmanawada, Hanamkonda, Telangana 506001

A PASSAGE TO THE PAST

The 1000 pillar temple step well is Quadrangular in shape with geometric patterns cut into
stone. There is a flight of steps leading into the temple tank. In 1970, when there was a
severe draught & famine, this well never dried up & was the only well that supplied water
to the tricities of Warangal, Hanamkonda & Kazipet. This well is more of a temple tank or a
koneru & its water is used for rituals of the temple as well. This well is built with granite
rock pillars . The source of water is natural, there is no need to bring from outside and fill
it.
 PRESENT SCENARIO

• It is in the complex of thousand pillar temple

• The temple visitors are unable to access this stepwell.
• Three tortoises are in the stepwell, drawing tourists there.

MEASURED DRAWINGS

PLAN

SECTION

PLAN AND SECTION OF KONNERU

 SKETCH

CLASSIFICATION

TYPOLOGY – Open
SHAPE – Rectangular
PRIMARY PURPOSE – Cool retreat
ARCHITECTURE – Nanda (stepwells with just one
entrance)
MATERIAL -- Stone
 THE KOTHAWADA STEP WELL

LOCATION

Auto Nagar, Kothawada, Warangal, Telangana 506002

A PASSAGE TO THE PAST

This magnificent marvel is situated in the kothawada area of Warangal.This step well belongs
to the nearby Gopalaswamy temple. This is a beautiful structure made entirely of rock stone
& the pillars in here clearly reflect the typical kakatiyan style. There are 3 rows of well
defined flight of steps that lead us down into the well proper. There is a beautiful corridor or
a resting place as well. This beauty is now being used as a dump yard by the locals & it is the
dire need of the hour to immediately renovate & clean this highly polluted step well.The
walls & pillars of this step well stand high & strong emanating the rich aura of the Kakatiyas.
 PRESENT SCENARIO

• The stepwell is located in the middle of the city and in the ground around bank
colony.The stepwell loss it identity because of the people around the place.
• The stepwell was closed and people throwning dust and other materials into the
stepwell
• It is beside the hanuman temple.People just watch the well and neglate.

CLASSIFICATION

TYPOLOGY – Open
SHAPE – Rectangular
PRIMARY PURPOSE – Cool retreat
ARCHITECTURE – Nanda (stepwells with just one entrance)
MATERIAL -- Stone

MEASURED DRAWINGS

PLAN SECTION
 THE URSU DARGAH WELL

LOCATION

Near ursu daragh,kareemabad,Warangal.

A PASSAGE TO THE PAST

This Stepwell is situated in Ursu near the Mouli nivas. The natives say that this step well was
built during the Nizam era. There are 2 well defined rows of steps that lead us into the
Stepwell. Such magnificent heritage structures should be preserved & protected.

CLASSIFICATION

TYPOLOGY – Open
SHAPE – Rectangular
PRIMARY PURPOSE – Cool retreat
ARCHITECTURE – Bhadra: Stepwells with two entrances.
(stepwells with just one entrance)
MATERIAL -- Stone
 PRESENT SCENARIO

• The stepwell is smaller compared to other stepwells in Warangal

• It not recognized by government the surrounding people says that it has some
Kakatiya history and now people using the water from the stepwell through
motors and etc

MEASURED DRAWINGS

PLAN

SECTION
 THE KAREEMABAD STEPWELL

LOCATION

Kareemabad,Warangal.

A PASSAGE TO THE PAST

There is an ancient stepwell in karimabad amidst 4 houses. The rock sturdy pillars of this
step well clearly reflect the typical katiyan style of architecture.
The situation of this ancient beauty is so pathetic that this is being used as a dump yard by
the locals & there is no proper path leading to the step well as its blocked from all the 4
sides by the houses around it. Even saddest thing is that, the drainage outlets of all these
houses drain into the Stepwell itself. Therefore, it's the immediate need of the hour to
clean, renovate & protect this step well.
 ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES
Carved pillars

PRESENT SCENARIO

The local people occupied the surrounding place and built their houses.Their is no
entrance to see this place and people are using this place as throwing waste from their
houses.The people are not aware of the significance and history of the place.The ruins of
stepwells like the carved pillars and some steps can be seen.The foul smell from the
place.

CLASSIFICATION

TYPOLOGY – Open
SHAPE – Rectangular
PRIMARY PURPOSE – Cool retreat
ARCHITECTURE – Nanda (stepwells with just one entrance)
MATERIAL -- Stone

MEASURED DRAWINGS

Visualized plan of the kareemabad stepwell