Amritavarshini Vav, Stepwell near Panchkuva Darwaja, Ahmedabad, India
Amritavarshini Vav is a stepwell that descends more than 50 feet (15 meters) into the ground, with three levels showcasing architectural elements from both Hindu and Islamic traditions. The structure features different arch designs on each of its two main stories, preceded by a pavilion tower that leads to the central water shaft.
Raja Raghunathdas, who served as diwan under governor Haidar Quli Khan, commissioned this stepwell which was completed in 1723. The structure dates to a period when such water-collecting works were vital for urban water supply across Gujarat.
The inscription plates in Devanagari and Persian scripts show how different communities coexisted in 18th-century Ahmedabad. Walking down into the stepwell, you can observe how Hindu and Islamic design elements blend together in the stonework and arches.
Access to the stepwell is through a local temple family who maintains the keys and opens the gate upon request. It is helpful to establish contact beforehand to ensure entry and to allow yourself enough time to explore the interior levels at a comfortable pace.
The L-shaped plan of this stepwell is unusual, since most stepwells are rectangular or square. This asymmetrical design was adapted to fit the urban constraints of the time, making it architecturally distinctive in its approach to water collection.
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