Adalaj Stepwell, also known as Rudabai Stepwell, is a 15th-century stepwell located in Adalaj, Gujarat.
It was built in memory of Queen Rudabai, the wife of Veersinh, the Vaghela chieftain. While stepwells are called vav in Gujarati, they are known as baoli in other Hindi-speaking regions of North India. These stepwells served as a source of drinking water, washing, and bathing for the people in the semi-arid regions of Gujarat. Stepwells were also venues for colorful festivals and sacred rituals.
The Adalaj stepwell is a spectacular piece of Indo-Islamic fusion architecture, percolated through many stepwells of that period. The intricate carvings on the pillars supporting the five-storey well are mostly intact, but the beams work as pit stops for pigeons flying in and out. The structure is so impressive that it still leaves jaws dropped for swarms of people.
What’s fascinating is that the opening in the ceilings above the landing allows light and air to enter the octagonal well, but direct sunlight never touches the steps except at noon. It’s believed that the temperature inside the well is six degrees cooler than outside.
The stepwell has three entrances, and the stairs lead to an underground storey that has an octagonal opening on top. The walls are covered in ornamental carvings with mythological and village scenes, including Ami khumbor (a pot that contains the water of life) and the Kalp vriksha (a tree of life) carved out of a single slab of stone. The small frieze of Navagraha (nine planets) towards the edge of the well is believed to protect the monument from bad omens.
According to legend, Rana Veer Singh of the Vaghela dynasty began constructing a large and deep stepwell to alleviate his people’s misery caused by water shortage. However, before the project could be completed, his kingdom was attacked by Mohammed Begda. Fortunately, the well was completed by Queen Rudabai, and it served both a utilitarian and spiritual purpose for the people around.
If you’re planning to visit the Adalaj Stepwell, make sure to wear comfortable shoes and carry a water bottle because exploring the well’s five storeys can be tiring.