LEGEND OF ADLAJ VAV

The legend behind the origin of this step-well is as

interesting as its architecture and is shrouded in beauty, romance and
tragedy. In AD 1499, the area around Adlaj was known as Dandai Desh
and was ruled by Rana Veer Singh of the Vaghela dynasty. Around this
time, Mohammed Begda, a Muslim ruler of a neighboring state
attacked Dandai Desh and killed Rana Veer Singh. The beauty of the
slain king's widow, Rani Roopba, enamored Mohammed Begda who
sent her a proposal of marriage. The heartbroken but determined
queen agreed to the proposal on the condition that he complete a five-
storied step-well (vav) for her. The Muslim ruler, enticed by the charm
of the queen, readily agreed.
The construction of this well had begun years ago under Rana
Veer Singh but had to be stopped later. Begda resumed this project
with great enthusiasm and got the well completed in record time.
When this five-storied edifice was completed but for the dome, Begda
renewed his proposal. The next day, Roopba took a round of the well
and saying a final prayer, flung herself into the water and drowned.
 Adalaj is a very small town and is mainly famous for this step well
only. The population of Adalaj is hardly around 10000 people. The famous
Adalaj step well was built by the queen Rudabai before around 500 years
during the time of Vaghela rulers. There was an acute draft here and this
step well was made to save people from such drafts by supplying water all
through the year. Such step wells also provide a good, cool place for the
people to rest during summer. The Adalaj step well is on the North side and
the entrance to this well is on the south side. This has been the general
practice while making such step wells. The total length of this step well is
around 240 feet. It has 3 entrances with three separate gates for each
entrance. There are five stories to this well. The entire platform of the well
rests on total 16 pillars. The eight pillars are situated on the four corners and
two pillars are located in front of each main gate.

There are four built in shrines at the four corners of the well.
The well has 344 steps in all. The water can be reached easily by getting
down through these steps. The level of water inside the well can vary based
upon the season and the rains. Normally, Adalaj step well level of water
remains at 2 stories level.
The entire corridor is surrounded by 3 feet tall parapet wall for safety
reasons. This step well can serve as a wonderful picnic spot in the village
of Adalaj. When you get down in the step well, you will feel as if you are
getting down under the soil in the most mysterious land. Be extremely
careful while getting down as some people may feel dizzy due to height
phobia and may slip due to the steps condition. If you shout from the
bottom of the well, there will be 5 repetitive echoes of your own sound.
This is a real engineering wonder. There are various shloks written in
Sanskrit on all the walls of the step well. The step well is also full of artistic
sculptures of the renowned kings of Gujarat of that time. The stone
structures are also engraved with artistic designs of flowers and other
natural elements like sky, clouds and the rain. There is a Samadhi of queen
Rudabai just at the step well entrance.
The Vav is positioned in the north-south
direction. The length of the step well is
75.3 meters. It is the only best
architectural wonder of its kind which has
three entrance stairs which leads the
visitors to the stepped corridor. The
platform of the Adalaj Vav rests on 16
pillars. The corners of the platforms
comprises of four shrines, with doors,
windows and balconies. The corridor is
also completely bounded by a one-meter
high parapet wall. The walls of the Vav or
the step well are absolute showcases of
sculptures from ancient past.
SKETCH OF PLAN, SECTION & COLUMN DETAIL
MAIN PLAN & SECTION VIEW OF
ADALAJ STEP WELL
 Built entirely of sandstone, one can enter into this step-well from
three sides, which consist of octagonal landings with huge carved
colonnades and intricately carved niches. The architecture of this well also
shows the influence of the earlier Solanki rulers of Gujarat. Carvings of
leafy creepers-typical adornment of Islamic architecture-co-exist with
Hindu symbolism. Among the other carvings on the panels are a king
sitting on a stool with two bearers, a scene depicting women churning
buttermilk, musicians accompanying dancing women apart from abstract
representations of various Hindu Gods and Goddesses. One can also see a
few Buddhist and Jain influences on some of the pillars and walls.

This stupendous structure with its elaborate and heavily

ornamented temple-like finish and surrounding structures is a synthesis of
various elements-earth, rock and water. On one story is a little Hindu
shrine secretly hidden in an obscure corner. The step-well served both
ritualistic as well as utilitarian needs. People from the nearby villages used
to take water from the well and considered it holy. In the semi arid climate
of Gujarat, the cool water from the vav provided a welcome break,
particularly in the harsh summer months. Water from the vav was also
used for irrigation.
 Openings in the ceilings above the landing enable light and air to
enter the well. However, direct sunlight never reaches the flight of steps or
landings except for a brief period at noon as the inner ceilings are arranged
to receive the sunlight through these openings. According to a research,
there was a total difference of six degrees between the outside and inside of
the well, thus making it a veritable air-conditioner.
Innumerable strong and exquisitely carved pillars support each story
of the vav and each available stone surface is profusely covered with
carvings. Each landing has wide space suggesting that people, especially
travelers, rested there while on journey. The main attraction of this step-well
is the pool of water at the lowest level. Besides this, there is a niche here
that houses an ami khumb or a pot that contains the water of life and a kalpa
vriksha or a tree of life made out of a single stone slab. These sites attract
the villagers on religious and auspicious occasions like marriages, sacred
thread ceremonies (a ritual performed by Hindus) etc.
In the vicinity of the well are graves of the six masons who were
instrumental in erecting it. It is believed when Mohammed Begda asked
them if another vav was possible, they replied in the affirmative. This proved
to be their undoing and they were instantly put to death. Perhaps that is why
the Adlaj step-well stands unrivalled till today.