Ancient Gandhak ki baoli, step well in Delhi!
WildFilmsIndia
2014-08-13
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An ancient baoli or step well in Delhi!
Seen here is a Mughal era tomb in dilapidated state even though it is a monument that is supposed to be protected by Archeological Survey of India. Greatly wanting for attention of the authorities is this monument, with a great need to restore this historic tomb of Adham Khan located just north to Qutub Minar in Mehrauli, Delhi.
Adham Khan Tomb, also commonly known as the rest house is a Mughal era tomb located near Qutub Minar, Delhi. It is also referred to as Bhul-bhulaiyan, due to a labyrinthine maze inside and this is also the tomb of Adham Khan's mother, Maham Anga.
According to a write-up by Alokparna Das in The Indian Express:
Tourists almost always miss these two medieval stepwells, which once served as cool retreats in Delhi's scorching summer but now lie dried up
Its name suggests a strong smell of sulphur. But as one approaches Gandhak ki baoli from Mehrauli bus depot and past Adham Khan's tomb, the only strong smell one gets is that of freshly baked tandoori rotis from the adjacent Pehelwan Dhaba. The stepwell built by 13th-century Slave dynasty ruler Iltutmish is, in all probability, Delhi's oldest surviving baoli. Simple in its design, with slim pillars and narrow walkways at each of its five tiers that lead to the well and back, it has no trace of water. Local residents, however, say that till some years ago, this was also known as the 'diving well'.
Ironically, the baoli is hardly 250 metres away from South district's water emergency service station. The structure, though not dilapidated, does need repair and conservation, and, most importantly, a prominent signage. Located at walking distance from the Qutab Minar and on the road that leads to the dargah of Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki and Gurdwara Banda Bahadur, it's definitely due to lack of awareness that tourists skip this medieval monument.
Behind Gandhak ki baoli is yet another step well - bigger and much more ornate. The 16th-century Rajon ki baoli is so named because it was meant to be used by the rajmistries or masons. Located at one end of the Archaeological Park, the greenery and solitude gives the stepwell and the adjoining 12-pillared mosque a perfect ambience. The inscription on the mosque says that these monuments were built by Daulat Khan in 1506 during the reign of Sikandar Lodhi. Obviously, Daulat Khan had built this stepwell keeping in mind the welfare of local people and the mosque for his own spiritual well-being.
This footage is part of the professionally-shot broadcast stock footage archive of Wilderness Films India Ltd., the largest collection of imagery from South Asia. The Wilderness Films India collection comprises of thousands of hours of high quality broadcast imagery, mostly shot on HDCAM 1080i High Definition, HDV and XDCAM. Write to us for licensing this footage on a broadcast format, for use in your production! We are happy to be commissioned to film for you or else provide you with broadcast crewing and production solutions across South Asia. We pride ourselves in bringing the best of India and South Asia to the world... Reach us at wfi @ vsnl.com and [email protected].
Adham Khan tomb in Delhi, India
Seen here is a Mughal era tomb in dilapidated state even though it is a monument that is supposed to be protected by Archeological Survey of India. Greatly wanting for attention of the authorities is this monument, with a great need to restore this historic tomb of Adham Khan located just north to Qutub Minar in Mehrauli, Delhi.
Adham Khan Tomb, also commonly known as the rest house is a Mughal era tomb located near Qutub Minar, Delhi. It is also referred to as Bhul-bhulaiyan, due to a labyrinthine maze inside and this is also the tomb of Adham Khan's mother, Maham Anga.
According to a write-up by Alokparna Das in The Indian Express:
Tourists almost always miss these two medieval stepwells, which once served as cool retreats in Delhi's scorching summer but now lie dried up
Its name suggests a strong smell of sulphur. But as one approaches Gandhak ki baoli from Mehrauli bus depot and past Adham Khan's tomb, the only strong smell one gets is that of freshly baked tandoori rotis from the adjacent Pehelwan Dhaba. The stepwell built by 13th-century Slave dynasty ruler Iltutmish is, in all probability, Delhi's oldest surviving baoli. Simple in its design, with slim pillars and narrow walkways at each of its five tiers that lead to the well and back, it has no trace of water. Local residents, however, say that till some years ago, this was also known as the 'diving well'.
Ironically, the baoli is hardly 250 metres away from South district's water emergency service station. The structure, though not dilapidated, does need repair and conservation, and, most importantly, a prominent signage. Located at walking distance from the Qutab Minar and on the road that leads to the dargah of Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki and Gurdwara Banda Bahadur, it's definitely due to lack of awareness that tourists skip this medieval monument.
Behind Gandhak ki baoli is yet another step well - bigger and much more ornate. The 16th-century Rajon ki baoli is so named because it was meant to be used by the rajmistries or masons. Located at one end of the Archaeological Park, the greenery and solitude gives the stepwell and the adjoining 12-pillared mosque a perfect ambience. The inscription on the mosque says that these monuments were built by Daulat Khan in 1506 during the reign of Sikandar Lodhi. Obviously, Daulat Khan had built this stepwell keeping in mind the welfare of local people and the mosque for his own spiritual well-being.
This footage is part of the professionally-shot broadcast stock footage archive of Wilderness Films India Ltd., the largest collection of imagery from South Asia. The Wilderness Films India collection comprises of thousands of hours of high quality broadcast imagery, mostly shot on HDCAM 1080i High Definition, HDV and XDCAM. Write to us for licensing this footage on a broadcast format, for use in your production! We are happy to be commissioned to film for you or else provide you with broadcast crewing and production solutions across South Asia. We pride ourselves in bringing the best of India and South Asia to the world... Reach us at wfi @ vsnl.com and [email protected].
Adham Khan tomb in Delhi, India
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