“A vast sheet of water, covered with lotus flowers, amid which thousands of aquatic birds and animals live, at the shores of which bathers washed, surrounded by jungle greenery.”
Louis Rousselet, 1894.
Visually the stepwells have little presence above ground, a low masonry wall or pavilion. These are excavations that often descend down five to seven stories. An encounter with it generates both a sense of surprise and a feeling of utter displacement, descending into the earth has a particularly powerful impact. Once inside, the mind takes in the intelligent configurations of stairs, landings, galleries, interior balconies and underground chambers; the telescoping views, towering pavilions and the powerful dance of light and shadow is absolutely captivating.
Accustomed to looking up at architecture, rarely do we see structures with sublime engineering, craftsmanship and masonry going downwards. These magnificent structures have been an indispensable part of several Indian civilisations. Built by members of the ruling class, wealthy merchants or landowners, these were designed to store and replenish groundwater. During their glory days there would be peacocks dancing on the walls, noises of laughing children playing in abandon by the steps, and singing women as they went to collect water, creating a beautiful sanctum of happiness away from the scorching heat of the tropical landscapes.
Cruising on the Ajmer-Delhi expressway bound north, one passes through the unsuspecting industrial town of Neemrana, which houses the Neemrana fort and a humungous manmade chasm, the Neemrana Bawdi. Built like an underground fortress, one cannot fathom its scale from the adjoining road. The date of its construction is speculated over three centuries, but the leading theory is that it was built by Thakur Janak Singh in the 18th century. At ground level, there is 86-pillared loggia on three sides of the stepwell which had provided respite to travellers fromthe scorching desert sun, reminiscent of a modern-day inn. The heavy stone walls and the depth of the well are a testament to the volume of water that can be stored in this Bawdi. Strategically placed archways and offset walls are great examples of a deep architectural understanding of the builders. One must accomplish a descent of about 200 steps to reach the water source. The Bawdi has a total of 9 storey, each 20ft deep.
At ground level, there is 86-pillared loggia on three sides of the stepwell which had provided respite to travellers from the stepwell which had provided respite to travellers from the scorching desert sun, reminiscent of a modern-day inn. The heavy stone walls and the depth of the well are a testament to the volume of water that can be stored in this Bawdi. Strategically placed archways and off set walls are great examples of a deep architectural understanding of the builders.
One must accomplish a descent of about 200 steps to reach the water source. The Bawdi has a total of 9 storey, multi storey buttresses acting as archways narrow down as the descent deepens. Pierced with arched windows, the looming walls make way for layered disorienting views. Our section model aims to highlight the dramatic interplay of arcades, arched buttresses and descending stairs. We also wish to bring out the organisational brilliance of this dauntingly large Stepwell.
Stepwells as a building typology is completely unique to India. As a design studio, we are absolutely captivated by these magnificent subterranean structures that are essentially stages for the orchestra of light and shadow.
We invite you to experience these breath taking structures in miniature form complete with its play of light and shadow.
Neemrana Bawdi (Limited Edition)
Dimensions (WxDxH) : 515mm x 98mm x 300 mm
Weight : 24 kg
Material : Concrete
Note : The Art piece is made to order and ships in 2-3 weeks on conformation of order.
