Experiencing the step-wells of Gujarat

Author: 
Shivam Pandey, Architect at Ranjit Sabikhi Architects;

The history of India spans over more than 2000 years. It has different states each with its own distinctive social and cultural character. The western regions of India have a hot and semi- arid climate with irregular rainfall. There was always a need to collect water of monsoon rains to utilize it during the dry months of the year. That is how the step-wells came into existence and India is a home to hundreds of them. Recent innovations like taps, hand pumps, plumbing, and water tanks reduced the physical need of the step-wells and these marvels ignored by the communities slowly converted from social gathering spaces to filthy breeding grounds for disease and parasites. India is is a developing nation and it is our great opportunity today to conserve and promote these monuments and their priceless architecture before it disappears for all time to come. Step-well, whether it is simple and utilitarian or complex and ornamented has a unique character. All of them have strikingly beautiful architecture.

Paper No: 
3173