Agrasen ki Baoli in New Delhi: What modern architects can learn from the ASI protected Indian stepwell

Agrasen ki Baoli in Delhi. The arches and the stairwells are abundantly popular among contemporary designers, many of whom have drawn inspiration from the ancient structure for modern buildings. (Image credit: Dwarika via Wikimedia Commons 4.0)

Located in the heart of Delhi, near Connaught Place is an ASI designated protected monument that often misses the attention of most people. This is the Agrasen Ki Baoli or Ugrasen Ki Baoli, a stepwell that is an architectural marvel.

The building situated at the heart of Delhi near other historic structures like Jantar Mantar, often goes unnoticed. It is believed to have been commissioned by Maharaja Agrasen during the Mahabharata-era and thereafter rebuilt around the 14th century by the Agrawal community. The name literally translates to ‘Agrasen’s stepwell’ which readily encapsulates its structure and function. The subterranean structure is 60 meter long and 15 meter wide and features distinct Hindu architectural features like arched hallways along all three levels of the structure that runs down 108 flights of stairs to the heart of the reservoir.

For a subterranean structure, the Baoli is remarkably well-ventilated and open owing to the large stairwell at the centre of the building. “Agrasen ki Baoli is one of the very few surviving stepwells in the region and with good reason. The structure was crafted with rubble masonry and made entirely of natural rocks and stones. It is no secret that technological advancement in the building industry has gradually eradicated ancient practices... but the survival of the building stands testament to how strong stone structures can be and ought to be incorporated into contemporary structures in a certain capacity,” says architect Suraj Mittal, founder and principal architect, Future Concepts.

Since the building is largely associated with mythology and Hindu architecture as seen from features like long stairways and arches, it can be noted that the building resembles many known monuments of the time. “Departing from the conventional round stepwells, Agrasen ki Baoli is constructed as a long and rectangular structure which made it easier and more accessible for people to collect water comfortably. A look at the history notes reveals that similar structures were in use all around the subcontinent for years,” says Mittal.

Agrasen ki Baoli was primarily built for the purpose of acting as a water reservoir as assistance during northern India’s harsh summers. The structure takes direct inspiration from prehistoric India’s water reservoir stepwells and repositories. “It bears proof of acting as a community space for women of the time to take sanctuary from the scorching heat. It is also believed that the arched cubicles served as pedestals for various ancient rituals and customs. Contrary to modern building materials like cement and concrete, ancient India was immaculately versed in natural and sustainable building materials,” says Mittal.

The entire construction of the building is done with rubble, rocks, and stone. Moreover, the structure was constructed to make water accessibility easier for people of the time which interestingly continued till recent years. “As a modern designer there may be some limitations to the extent of verbose inspiration one can take from the ancient magnificence of the structure or the ready availability of the number of natural materials, however, few elements like the arches and the stairwells are abundantly popular amidst contemporary designers. I have incorporated the intrigue of majestic staircases in some of my designs and they never disappoint as the accent of the entire space,” says Mittal.

The structure of old buildings has several lessons for modern day construction as the built architecture of the past have many lessons for new buildings of today. The fact that the Agrasen ki Baoli has stood the test of time is why its construction methodologies holds so much significance for modern day architects and designers.