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