Not far from the frenetic streets surrounding Connaught Place in Delhi, an ancient subterranean marvel possessing a fascinating history remained in an almost Zen-like condition. For the believers of mystical tales and legends, this was also where strange occurrences happened and ghostly demons plotted curses. The Agrasen Ki Baoli was an ancient water reservoir common all over India of the olden times. Descending to a total of one hundred eight stone steps, it had three levels all lined up with arched niches on both sides.
Up and Down the Ancient Step Well of Agrasen Ki Baoli | Delhi, India
The name was derived from the Hindi word "bawdi", which in the regions of Gujarat and Rajasthan, became the word “baoli”, referring to water temples. Historians who studied the type of architecture of Agrasen Ki Baoli hinted that the structure was built sometime around the fourteenth century during the reign of the Islamic empire of the Delhi Sultanate.
Channeling out its reputation of being one of the most haunted places in Delhi, I found the stepwell a stimulant of a calming sense. Watching the flocks of pigeons fly in waves over its niched corridors on both sides, while taking refuge in the shade from surrounding tall trees, I found marveling at the aged steps slowly took me back in time.
Photogenic from every angle you looked at it, it came as no surprise to find the place teeming with people carrying cameras. I was joined by another traveler (a Filipina solo traveler) I met in Zostel Hostel in Delhi. She was also the one who had recommended that I visit this place.
There were around fourteen of these ancient stepwells in Delhi, and the Agrasen Ki Baoli—being the biggest and most intact—was designated as a protected monument by the Archaeological Survey of India under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act of nineteen fifty-eight.
In a country dotted with historical ancient landmarks—and I had been fortunate to visit many of them before—being in this throwback gem of a historic spot in the middle of Delhi still afforded me yet another wonderful memory of India.
After almost an hour, and already nearing sunset, Jane and I decided to get going and headed back to our hostel on foot, but not before stopping by a street famous for Delhi sweets.
