I was at the Ugrasen Ki Baoli, which is an old – almost 700 years old – stepwell
A baoli is a stepwell, and Delhi has several that are left.
Water and step wells are one of my photographic projects that need to resume
Some, like Khari Baoli in the Walled City of Delhi have disappeared.
Sad, because the water management systems were sophisticated. They were also social gathering places.
The kid had asked me to photograph him
Where exactly is that, Rajiv?
Rajiv we do have baoris out here – quite a few, some have been renovated recently. I made a post on one of these. The structure in these baoris is different. open and wide unlike the one in your picture.
In Jaipur? Bundi, i know of. And intend to visit one day
Yes couple of them. I intended to make a post on them. There’s so much to write…. Always short of time! Someday… soon I hope.
BTW You’ll find baoris across Rajasthan.
There is something so intriguing about Baolis. The architecture, the precision of construction! Have never explored delhi as yet. This is on my list 🙂
Mine too… For a long time
Lovely architecture, Rajiv. Is it like a reservoir?
Leslie
The old step wells of india
So these wells would be sufficient for a town of city?
Leslie
Depends on the size of the town
Well Delhi is a large city and you did mention that there were a couple of these wells. We use reservoirs and towers.
Leslie
Ah! But you dont know the history of Delhi! Modern Delhi is made up of 7 old, and one new, cities. Many old villages have been consumed by the growth of Delhi. Some of the old rest houses have become names of colonies.. A Sarai was a rest house..
Sounds like our GTA (greater Toronto area) It just keeps growing.
Leslie
It does indeed… All these cities do.. And then you live and travel in a small part of that city
We hardly know the other part of the city.
Leslie
Same hete… I used to know all of Delhi. Not anymore
Awesome shot and very trendy-looking lad, there. Step-wells are an endless fascination for me (ha, anything to do with water har har) so I am avidly looking forward to seeing more of your shots in this project in the future. I find them incredibly beautiful and am staggered at their incredible sophistication, indeed. Sir recently said to me, “We haven’t been very advanced until recently, with the industrial revolution.” I immediately began rattling off examples of man’s incredible ingenuity to tame his environment, to exploit resources to the best of his ability in order to ensure survival, including creating such majestic and precise structures like the step-wells. Sir had to admit his blunder. 😉 Wonderful image. All the best,
Autumn Jade
Oh, I am fascinated by water, and rivers and lakes…. But tell me… do you have any Chinese heritage in you?
I wish I did, Rajiv! P.S. I would really like to hear more about your time in China, sometime.
Ah. China…. Some of the best years of my life…
In some ways, my second home, emotionally
I love to read books about China, or noir novels set in China translated into English- I am working on my Mandarin and Cantonese very slowly 😉 I can see how it is your second home. I can only imagine.
Ah! I am forgetting much of my Mandarin!
You have a splendid blog, sir!
Well, i like yours as well!
Thanks a lot.😊
This is a wonderful picture and seeing the boy next to the architecture really gives a sense of the grandeur and size of the structure-
Oh yes…. The Baolis are indeed somewhat grand in their architecture.