Probashi- City
Probashi- City
Anangtal also known as Yoginipura and situated at Mehrauli considered to have been built in the 10th century by the Rajput King Anang Pal II of the Tomar Dynasty. This essentially rain water catchment structure has steps leading to the base. It is possible a well was there but cannot be located now.
The second oldest surviving Baoli is perhaps the Gandhak ki Baoli located within the complex of the Qutubuddin Bakhtiyari Kaki ki Dargah in the Mehrauli village. This Baoli was constructed by Iltutmish in 12th century
A. D. for the Kaki, a highly regarded Sufi saint who was the disciple and spiritual successor of Khwaja Mu
' inu ' d Din
Chishti of Ajmer. Gandhak ki‐baoli is so called because of the smell of sulphur( Gandhak) in its water. The baoli is about
100 meters south of Adham Khan' s tomb in Mehrauli behind the Mehrauli bus terminal.
Following closely in antiquity is the Agrasen ki Baoli which stands bang in middle of Connaught Place. This 14th century step well is located on the Hailey Lane off the Hailey Road( now known as Atul Grove Marg) at stone throw distance from Kasturba Gandhi Marg and Jantar Mantar. This step well was built by the
Aggarwal community, however its date of construction is not known with any certainity. Estimates place the date to be either early Tuglaq or Sayyid dynasty period. The date assumes importance because no Emperor would have allowed such a significant structure to be built in his capital entirely through private initiative. This is so because monuments were then the symbol of power. Only when the central authority was weak would such a structure come up with state interference. The well measures 60 mts long from north to south and 15 mts wide at the ground level. It comprises of 103 stone steps flanked by a thick wall with arched structures. The stairs culminate to the now dry well bed. The Baoli stands as an abode of tranquillity amidst the hustle bustle of Delhi’ s commercial district.
The next set of Baolis were those build by the Tuglaqs( 1321‐1412), the most famous Tuglaq period Baoli is that at Hazrat Nizamuddin dargah about which we have discussed in previous paragraphs. Contemporary of the Nizamuddin Baoli is the step wells inside the abandoned Tuglaqabad fort. There are about six to seven Baolis in the Tughlaqabad ruins. According to
Baolis of Delhi- Wells Well Dug
Agrasen ki Baoli located in Connaught Place has held its own against the modern day sky scrapers. An example of how both the old and the modern can live in perfect harmony. Photo courtesy:
Simon deTrey‐White
Steps at the North side of the
Baoli at the Red Fort. The Baoli has an unusual design that features an octagonal well‐shaft, two‐ north stories and two sets of steps leading down
, one from the and one from the west. Photoo courtesy: Simon de Trey‐White