Agrasen Ki Baoli


Agrasen ki Baoli, designated a protected monument by the Archaeological Survey of India under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act of 1958, is a 60-meter long and 15-meter wide historical step well on Hailey Road, near Connaught Place, Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, India. Although there are no known historical records to prove who built Agrasen ki Baoli, it is believed that it was originally built by the legendary king Agrasen, and the present architecture hints at it being rebuilt in the 14th century during the Tughlag period of Delhi Sultanate. The Baoli is open daily from 9 AM to 5:30 PM.

Origin of the word Baoli

Baoli or bawdi, also referred to as baori or bauri, is a Hindi word. In Rajasthan and Gujarat the words for step well include baoli, bavadi, vav, vavdi and vavadi. Water temples and temple step wells were built in ancient India. The earliest forms of step well and reservoir were also built in India in places like Dholavira as far back as the Indus Valley Civilisation.

Architecture

This Baoli, with 108 steps, is among a few of its kind in Delhi. The visible parts of this historical step well consist of three levels. Each level is lined with arched niches on both sides.

In popular culture

The location has been used to shoot scenes from various Bollywood films such as the blockbuster film PK starring Aamir Khan and Sultan starring Salman Khan. It was also featured in the 2017 Sridevi thriller Mom. There have also been reports of the Baoli being haunted. In 2012, a photo-shoot of Formula One models also took place here. The step well also appeared on the second episode of The Amazing Race Australia 2 in 2012.