Agam Kuan, Ancient water well in Patna, India
Agam Kuan is an ancient well in the heart of Patna that reaches over 100 feet into the earth and is lined with brick. Eight arched openings interrupt the well wall and give the structure a distinctive form, while wooden rings support the walls in the deeper section.
The well was built in the third century before the common era under the Maurya Empire, when Patna was still called Pataliputra. Emperor Ashoka had water drawn here for the royal household, and later the structure became a site of local legends and religious stories.
The name means bottomless well, and visitors immediately sense why this structure has sparked curiosity for centuries. People still toss coins into it today and listen to how long they fall before reaching the bottom.
The well lies about five kilometers from the city center and is freely accessible during daylight hours. A low fence surrounds the opening for safety, and visitors can step up to the edge from all sides and look down.
In the upper 43 feet the lining is entirely brick, while the lower 62 feet are secured with wooden rings. This double technique shows how the builders dealt with different soil layers and groundwater movements without risking stability.
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