History of stepwells in Gujarat

The origin of the stepwell may be traced to reservoirs of the cities of the Indus Valley civilization such as Dholavira and Mohenjo-daro.

[2][3] The earliest stepwells are found at Dhank in Rajkot district of Gujarat; they are dated to the pre-Chalukyan period.

[5] The Minal stepwell in Balej village in Sabarkantha district is ascribed to her and was built in 1095 AD (Samvat 1152).

Another Minaldevi Vav in Virpur in Rajkot district is also ascribed to her and has stylistic affinities to Chaulukya architecture.

The Chaumukhi stepwell of Chobari in Surendranagar district depicts religious figures similar to nearby temples.

The Vikia and Jetha stepwells near Navlakha Temple, Ghumli near the Barda hills belonged to the 13th century.

The Gyan stepwell near Visavada village in the Barda hills is ascribed to the time of Bhima II.

[8] The Ra Khengar stepwell between Vanthali and Junagadh is stated to be constructed by Tejapala of the Vastupala-Tejapala, the brother-ministers in Vaghela court.

[8][3] The Madhavav in Wadhwan was built in 1294 AD (Vikram Samvat 1350) by Nagar Brahmin Madha and Keshav, the ministers in court of the last Vaghela ruler Karna.

Sodhali stepwell in Mangrol was built in 1319 AD (V. S. 1375) by Vali Sodhala of Modha caste.

The stepwell of Roho (1560 AD) was built by Champa, the wife of Raja Shri Nanaji and her daughter.

[12] Several stepwells are plain in design without any ornamentation which makes it difficult to ascertain their period, but they may belong to the 16th or 17th century.

[12][3] The authorities during the British Raj found the hygiene of the stepwells less than desirable and installed pipe and pump systems to replace their purpose.

The stepwell of Wankaner palace was built by erstwhile rulers in the 1930s as a cool place of retreat for the royal family.