Agrasen ki Baoli, Delhi

Delhi is a historical city, with the present day city of Delhi, believed to be the amalgamation of seven different cities built across different centuries including shahjehanabad, Indraprastha, Tughlakabad etc. Each city have their own sets of heritage monuments telling a story of their own and worth a visit. This gives Delhi a multiude of visitable monuments, some of which have become more common, yet some others are left neglected, non publicused and non visited. Agrasen Ki Baoli (also known as  Ugrasen Ki Baoli or Agarsen ki Baoli), believed to be rebuilt in 14the century, is one of the lesser known monuments.

Agrasen Ki Baoli, is nestled among highrise buildings of modern India and is unseen and unheard of many of the people living or working in the vicinity. What used to be lifeline for the water supply in scorching heats of summer once, lies dilapidated and ignored and dried up like other stepwells in India mainly due to the fact that dependence on wells to tap water have evaporated due to the invent of submersible pumps and piped supply, hence no boady need it. Now designated a protected monument by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act of 1958, efforts are being made to rejuvenate it and restore it to its prime glory.

Who built Agrasen Ki Baoli is still a mystery, some stating its origin to Mahraja Agrasen of Mahabharata Epic Period, some believe it was built by a wealthy agarwal family in 14th century. Another theory is that it was built by a wealthy and influential Agrawal merchant of Delhi named Nattal Sahu who was also a minister in the court of King Anang Pal III. The theory is based on inferences taken from Pasanahacariu, The work of Agrawal Poet named Vibudh Shridhar , who wrote it in 1132 AD.

Built over three visible stories,  with some parts completely submerged in the water, It is about 60 mts in length and about 15 mts wide and have around 103 steps.Each story or level is lined with the arched niches, Chambers and pasageways on the both sides. The arches shows a distinct influence of islamic architecture and hence it is believed to be rebuilt in 14th century Tughlaq Era.Tughlaq era influence can also be judged from the presence of a small mosque in the vicinity of the baoli. The walls of this step well is devoid of any sculpture work unlike its more famous cousins, Pipvav ki Baori or step well at Abhaneri. As you take steps down towards the water, the baoli or step  well shrinks in width, you will witness a distinct coolness of the temperature and calmness descending in you. You will hear gurgling sounds of hundred of pigeons and whooshing sounds of wind downstairs, in night the descent an atmosphere might scare you.

Agrasen ki Baoli or the stepwell is Situated on the Hailey road, a 10 minutes walk from the N block of Connaught Place, Delhi, Agrasen Ki baoli is open from morning 0900 hrs till evening 1700 hrs,and the entry to the baoli is free.

You can also visit  the oldest existing Baoli in Delhi, the Anangtal Baoli, located in Mehruli. The Anangtal Baoli is considered to be older than the present structure of Agrasen ki Baoli (stepwell).Also known as Yoginipura , Anangal stepwell is believed to built in the 10th century by the Rajput King Anang Pal II, belonging to the Tomar Dynasty.Anang Tal literally means reservoir of Anang.