Be it the Rani ki Vav that’s printed on the hundred rupee Indian currency note, the Modhera stepwell – the location in one of the viral videos that had showcased the Indian Prime Minister, or the Bansilal stepwell in Hyderabad that was recently restored. They’re all beautiful stepwells with a rich history. The basic function of a stepwell is to store water. Does it have other uses and how can stepwells benefit us in today’s water crisis? Are stepwells the key to sustainable water management?
Stepwells – A Brief History
Water management systems were essential to the survival of ancient societies. Numerous communities have created unique cultures throughout history that are rooted in the environment and the surrounding landscapes. One of the first systems developed for managing water was the water well. This was also a common system that could be found in many areas around the world. Besides wells, many communities developed their own, unique system. Qanats, a technique developed in Persia around 800 BCE, are extensive underground tunnels. They used sinking shafts in Egypt to tap into natural underground catchment areas. In the Indian subcontinent, where there are arid regions, and the monsoon rains are inconsistent and unreliable, stepwells were a great way of containing water. They ensured that water was available during all periods of the year. Stepwells, also known as vavs or baoris, are a series of steps that descend to a water source, which can be a well, cistern, or pond. It has been of explicit vitality for the subterranean architecture of western India from the 7th through the 19th centuries. Unlike tanks or wells, stepwells facilitate easier access to groundwater and simplify the management and upkeep of the water source. Kings wealthy people, or powerful supporters paid for stepwells. These structures showed off amazing building skills and stood out as beautiful examples of Hindu and Islamic design styles.
Stepwells were crucial for managing water providing a steady supply to drink, wash, bathe, and water crops. They also gave travellers such as caravans and pilgrims, a cool place to escape the daytime heat or stay overnight. In times of drought, stepwells ensured the availability of water, and they held significant social, cultural, and religious value. Given the arid climate where natural water bodies often dry up, stepwells and wells remain reliably functional due to their depth, which shields them from intense sun and heat. Traditionally, women were primarily responsible for collecting water from these wells. The earliest stepwells in India date back to the 3rd century CE, emerging out of necessity in a monsoonal climate that alternates between prolonged dryness and heavy rainfall. To secure a reliable water supply year-round, particularly in the arid northwestern regions where water tables could be deeply buried, stepwells were developed. Over time, their design evolved into increasingly intricate structures. A stepwell typically comprises two main components: a vertical shaft used for drawing water and surrounding inclined passageways with chambers and steps that provide access to the well. Major examples of stepwells can be found in various parts of India, especially in regions where water scarcity is a critical issue.
Stepwells and Their Role in the Water Crisis
Rainfall has always been crucial for water supply, and in ancient India, people developed various methods to manage and store water based on how much rain fell and where it fell. They understood the concepts of the water cycle, how much rain to expect, and how to find and use groundwater. Their main goal was to store water effectively for future use. One of their clever inventions was the stepwell—a sophisticated upgrade from basic wells. These stepwells have a vertical shaft that extends down to a pool of water, with steps around it to allow easy access. They could be round, rectangular, or square, and their design varied based on what the builders could afford. Stepwells were not just practical; they were often beautifully constructed and served as important community gathering places where people could get water and spend time.
India’s diverse climate, with its six seasons and five different climatic zones, influenced how water was managed. Ancient water management methods were tailored to these conditions, aiming to use water efficiently for crops during irrigation seasons. The goal was to make sure that water was available and used in the best way to support agriculture. While traditional methods focused on providing enough water and sanitation, they might not fully meet today’s needs due to climate change and growing populations. Stepwells were designed to capture and store rainwater, which helped replenish groundwater. They were often built underground to stay cool and had large catchment areas for storing plenty of water. Constructed with durable materials, stepwells were not only practical but also aesthetically pleasing. Preserving and updating these ancient structures with modern technology could help address current water needs in India and offer a sustainable solution for the future.
The Conservation of Stepwells
By the early 21st century, only a few stepwells remained in relatively good condition, especially those in tourist areas. Most stepwells, however, were in poor shape. Out of the many stepwells once spread across India, most fell into disuse due to modernization and declining water levels. As local communities neglected their maintenance, these stepwells became clogged with silt, filled with trash, or deteriorated significantly. Despite the bleak state of many stepwells, the increasing need for water conservation has led to efforts to restore some of these structures. In places like Delhi and Gujarat, work has begun to clear out the silt and reactivate certain stepwells, with the hope that they can once again be used to collect and store water.
Not too long ago, a neglected stepwell in Bansilalpet, Secunderabad, was revived from a dump yard and now presents people with a new sense of pride, together with its potent potential as a tourist spot. This well was built as far back as the 1930s but was not taken care of; it eventually ended up as a dump yard. The recent restoration brought life back to the place. The newly restored stepwell not only adds to the local aesthetics but also aids in rainwater harvesting and reduces the flooding of congested neighbourhoods. The surrounding precinct now features an amphitheatre, a tourism plaza, and upgraded streets, transforming the area and improving groundwater levels, much to the delight of residents and visitors alike. This gives us a spark of hope and a glimpse into the possibilities of improving water management with stepwell restorations.
References:
- Stepwell | architecture | Britannica. (2019). In: Encyclopædia Britannica. [online] Available at: https://www.britannica.com/technology/stepwell.
- Azmi, F.T. (2021). The ancient stepwells helped to curb India’s water crisis. [online] www.bbc.com. Available at: https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20211012-the-ancient-stepwells-helping-to-curb-indias-water-crisis.
- Selvaraj, T., Devadas, P., Perumal, J.L., Zabaniotou, A. and Ganesapillai, M. (2022). A Comprehensive Review of the Potential of Stepwells as Sustainable Water Management Structures. Water, 14(17), p.2665. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/w14172665.
