"Adalaj Stepwell or Rudabai Stepwell"
Once upon a Time
in Adalaj
This story is around 14th-15th centuries at place of Adalaj in Gujarat (the Vaghela dynasty of Dandai Des).
Gujarat and it's neighbouring state Rajasthan are dry and arid regions. So, The people faced Water issue and walked miles for Water. At a time, Rana Veer Singh Vaghela who was a king of the Adalaj. He promised to build up the well for his people.
Sometime after, They commissioned to build up the well Which was famous after Adalaj Stepwell or Rudabai Stepwell.
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| Adalaj Stepwell or Rudabai Stepwell |
Gujarati : અડાલજની વાવ
Hindi : अडालज बावड़ी
Town or city : Gandhinagar
State : Gujarat
Country : India
Completed : 1499, 15th centuries
Construction during : Vaghela dynasty or Muslim Ruler
Construction during : Vaghela dynasty or Muslim Ruler
Type : Hindu - Islamic architecture
"The devastated King Mehmud begada But his love for Rani Rudadevi ensued that the Stepwell become a symbol of love, - Rani Rudadevi's love for her king Rana Veer Singh and King Mehmud's love for Rani Rudadevi."
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| Adalaj ni Vav |
"It's amazing what People do for Love, But It's even more amazing what Love does to People."
There was a very interesting and dramatically tragic story behind it. When well had worked in progress during that time A neighbouring Muslim Ruler King Mehmud begada had attacked on Hindu Ruler King Rana Veer Singh Vaghela who lost his life in battlefield. As a Result, the construction work of Adalaj ni Vav was stopped.
When King Rana Veer Singh's wife Rani Rudadevi got this news, She took pledge to complete her husband's work. After Muslim king Mehmud begada fall in love with Rani Rudadevi and proposed to her for marriage. She accepted his proposal with one condition first, If King Mehmud begada complete her husband's work. Soon after, King Mehmud begada continued the work of Adalaj ni Vav as original style and also added a little bit of Islamic influence on the architecture with Hindu influence.
Finally, The Stepwell work was completed and king Mehmud begada asked her to get married. Rani Rudadevi arrived at place of Stepwell and saw the complete her husband's dream. After She jumped into the well and committed suicide.
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| End of the stair steps near the Well |
"The devastated King Mehmud begada But his love for Rani Rudadevi ensued that the Stepwell become a symbol of love, - Rani Rudadevi's love for her king Rana Veer Singh and King Mehmud's love for Rani Rudadevi."
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| Hindu - Islamic Architecture |
These caverns space are called Stepwell and also Vav in Gujarat and Bavdi in Rajasthan. A Stepwell is very unique form of underground well architecture which is used for conserving or harvesting of Water for household needs, Irrigation of the land for agriculture, shades or resting place of travellers, Itinerant traders and March of the troops.
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| Influence of Architecture |
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| Balconies and Zarukhas |
In Adalaj Stepwell, The three entrance stairway meet at the first storey step at a large square platform which was surrounded by four fabulous curved is called balconies or Zarukhas. These corridor goes down to fifth storey steps and the end of this stair steps to find the deepest level of water storage in circular of well which has an Octagonal opening at the top with the curves of pillars.
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| Octagonal shape of the Stepwell |
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| Ceilings and Pillars |
The flowers, Birds, Animals, Spiritual or Mythological images, war or battlefield images and Beautiful amazing fabulous Various types of designs and architecture show on the walls of the Stepwell. The ceilings and pillars allows the light and air to enter the well, but the sunlight reaches in the well only for a short time of period in the afternoon. The temperature in the well almost 6 degrees cooler than the outer atmospher.
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| Inner side of the Stepwell |
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| Plan and Section (Built along a North-South axis) |
The three staircases are from the South, West and East direction leading to the landing on the Northern side of well and Main Entrance from the South direction. The top part of well, Four small rooms with Oriel windows decorated and curved brackets are provided at the landing level, at the four corners. It's Octagonal plan open at the top with curves pillars.
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| Historical landmark in Adalaj, Gujarat |
Adalaj Stepwell is located in the Village of Adalaj in Gandhinagar the capital of Gujarat and close to the Ahmedabad city in the Indian state of Gujarat.
Please noted here, Opening hours of this place in between 6 am to 6 pm only. I suggest to you visit of this place early in the morning. I have not word for describing that morning moment.
I feel good and Thank You for reading and liking. I hope that It will be help you and useful before visiting Adalaj Stepwell.
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