Stepwells
A Sheetlet consisting of 16 nos. of postage stamp on the Stepwells :
Issued by India
Issued on Dec 29, 2017
Issued for : Department of Posts is pleased to issue a set of 16 Commemorative Postage Stamps on Stepwells.
Credits :
Stamps/Sheetlets/First Day Cover/Brochure/Cancellation Cachet : Shri Brahm Prakash
Type : Miniature Sheet, Mint Condition
Colour : Multi Colour
Denomination : 500 Paise (8), 1500 Paise (8)
Sheetlets Printed :
1 Lakh each of 5 types
3125 each of 16 types
Printing Process : Wet Offset
Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad
About :
- Stepwells are the hallmark of India’s architectural brilliance. The simple, utilitarian wells have been taken to another level so that they become architectural master pieces. Most of the stepwells in India are found in the western states like Gujarat, Rajasthan, some part of North Karnataka and Delhi. They are known by different names. In Gujarat they are known as ‘vav’ or ‘vavdi’, where as in Rajasthan they are called Baori or Bawdi. In Karnataka, they are known as ‘Pushkarini’.
- Department of Posts is bringing 16 stamps on Stepwells of different parts of the country to commemorate the architectural heritage of India.
- 1. Chand Baori, Abhaneri: This is an enormous stepwell located in the Abhaneri village of Rajasthan. It is believed to be built between AD 800 and 900. There are many balconies of Pavilion around the Chand Baoli, and also the reminiscent of a temple around it. Chand Baori stepwell consists of 3,500 narrow steps over 13 storeys.
- 2. Raniji Ki Baori, Bundi: Raniji ki Baori, also “Queen’s stepwell” is a noted stepwell situated in Bundi town in Rajasthan state in India. It was built in 1699 by Rani Nathavati Ji who was the younger queen of the ruling Rao Raja Anirudh Singh of Bundi. It is a 46 m deep stepped well with some superb carvings on its pillars and a high arched gate. It is a multistoreyed structure with places of worship on each floor. The stepwell has a narrow entrance marked by four pillars. Stone elephant statues that face each other stand in the corners.
- 3. Nagar Sagar Kund, Bundi: The Nagar Sagar twin stepwells are identical stepwells crafted in pristine masonry next to each other quite close to Chogan Gate in the centre of Bundi. The stepwells were originally called Jamna Sagar and Ganga Sagar – but are now jointly named as Nagar Sagar Kund. The stepwells were constructed by Maharani Chandrabhanu Kumari between 1871 and 1875 during the reign of Maharao Raja Ram Singh.
- 4. Neemrana Stepwell, Alwar: Neemrana stepwell in Alwar district of Rajasthan was constructed in 18th Century and it is as deep as 9 storey building. In the arid planes of Rajasthan, finding ground water was more difficult than finding gold. Therefore, it was built for famine relief by the local Rajas.
- 5. Toor Ji Ka Jhalra, Jodhpur: Toor Ji Ka Jhalra was built in 1740s by Maharaja Abhay Singh’s Queen Consort in keeping with the old age tradition of ladies of the Royal family building public water works. Submerged in stagnant water for decades, its recent drainage, clean-up and restoration has uncovered over 200 feet of hand-carved treasures in Jodhpur’s famous rose red sandstones – including intricate carvings of dancing elephants, medieval Lion and Cow-shaped water spouts and water deities.
- 6. Panna Mian ki Baori, Jaipur: Panna Mina Ki Baori is located near the fort in the ancient city of Amber in Jaipur, Rajasthan. It was built in the 16th Century. The symmetry of the stairs makes this Baori picturesque. It has criss-cross stairs and a raised central platform. It was built as a sort of community gathering area.
- 7. Pushkarini Stepwell, Hampi: Pushkarini Stepwell was built during the Vijayanagara period in the 15th Century. In Karnataka, the stepwells are known as “Pushkarini”. This beautiful stepwell with five diminishing stages was found during an excavation in 1980. It is located quite close to the colossal structure named Mahanavami Dibba. The stepwell is perfectly geometrical, devoid of any elaborate carvings.
- 8. Muskin Bhanvi Stepwell, Lakkundi: Muskin Bhanvi Stepwell is situated in Lakkundi, a tiny town located near the Hubballi city in Karnataka. Muskin Bhanvi is a deep stepwell near the Manikesvara Temple in Lakkundi. Bhanvi is word used to denote the stepwells in this region of Karnataka. This stepwell is believed to be from 12th century AD.
- 9. Rani ki Vav, Patan: Rani ki Vav (Queen’s stepwell) is situated at the town of Patan in Gujarat. This intricate stepwell was built around 1050 AD by the Queen of Bhimdev I of Solanki dynasty. It is 27m deep well with an intricate construction and beautiful carving featuring the Hindu Gods. This stepwell is constructed in Maru-Gurjara architectural style. It is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage site.
- 10. Dada Harir Stepwell, Ahmedabad: Dada Harir stepwell is situated in Asarwa area of Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Dada Harir stepwell is an enormous stepwell constructed in 1485, by a woman named Dada Harir. She was a dependent of Sultan Mahmud Begada of Muzaffarid dynasty. This stepwell is built in the Solanki architectural style. From the top, it looks like an octagon and has five floors. The galleries around the well are adorned with beautiful carvings and there are stairs leading to the bottom of the well.
- 11. Adalaj Stepwell, Adalaj: This stepwell is one of the most intricately carved stepwells from Gujarat. It was made in 15th century by the Sultan Mahmud Begada of Muzaffarid dynasty. It is a unique water building situated in the village of Adalaj near Ahmedabad.
- 12. Surya Kund, Modhera: This beautiful stepwell is situated near the Sun temple complex in Modhera which is a small city located in the Mehsana district of Gujarat. The temple is quite ancient, built during the 1026-27 AD by the King Bhimdev of Solanki dynasty. It is a large rectangular stepped water tank known as a finest example of geometry. Leading to the stepwell, there is a beautifully carved domed door frame known as ‘Kirti-Torana’.
- 13. Shahi Baori, Lucknow: Shahi Baori was built by fourth Nawab of Awadh. When the Bara Imambara was built a huge reservoir was created to store water. It was around this large water storage that the Shahi Baori was built by Nawab Asaf-ud-Daulah. The floors of Shahi Baori was specially designed by an expert designer from England.
- 14. Ghaus Ali Shah Baori, Farrukh Nagar: It is an octagonal shaped stepwell located in Farrukh Nagar close to Gurgaon, Haryana. It was built by a local ruler named Ghaus Ali Shah who was under the patronage of Mughal king Farrukh Siyar. It was built during the 18th Century. This stepwell is built out of stone, lime plaster and bricks. The water tank in the centre is surrounded by a verandah with well-framed arches on all sides.
- 15. Agrasen Ki Baori, Delhi: Agrasen ki Baori (also known as Ugrasen ki Baori), designated as a protected monument by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act of 1958, is a 60-meter long and 15-meter wide historical stepwell on Hailey Road near Connaught Place, Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. It is believed that it was originally built by the legendary King Agrasen, and rebuilt in the 14th Century by the Agrawal community which traces its origin to Maharaja Agrasen. This stepwell is built in 3 levels or 103 steps made of red stone and each level has surrounding walls with carved niches.
- 16. Rajon ki Baori, Delhi: This ancient stepwell is located in the Mehrauli Archaeological Park in Delhi. It is believed to be built in 1506 by Daulat Khan under the patronage of Sikandar Lodhi. It is named as Rajon Ki Baori, as it was used by the royal masons or Raj Mistries. All three sides of this stepwell are covered with colonnaded arcades. This stepwell has four diminishing levels.
- Text : Based on the material available on internet.
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