The Adalaj Stepwell in Gujarat was built in the 15th century when the Muslim ruler Mohammed Begada agreed to complete the stepwell for the widow of the Hindu king. Once completed, the widow committed suicide by jumping in the well rather than marrying Begada. The stepwell features five stories carved with Hindu, Jain and Islamic motifs and was designed with multiple entrances and ventilation to remain cool inside.

1. Adalaj Stepwell, Gujarat
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Presented by:
Madhulika Sanyal
Mohd. Sarim

2. Adalaj Stepwell, Gujarat
LEGEND AND HISTORY
As per legend the 15th century, Rana Veer Singh of the
Vaghela dynasty, a Hindu ruler, reigned over this
territory, then known as Dandai Desh. His kingdom was
attacked by Mohammed Begada, the Muslim ruler of a
neighboring kingdom. The Rana king was killed and his
territory occupied by the invader. Rana Veer Singh’s
widow, a beautiful lady known by the name Rani
Roopba, though in deep grief at the death of her
husband, agreed to a marriage proposal made by
Mahmud Begada on the condition that he would first
complete the building of the Stepwell.
The Muslim king who was deeply enamored of the
queen’s beauty agreed to the proposal and built the
well in record time. Once the well was completed,
Begada reminded the queen of her promise to marry
him. instead the queen who had achieved her objective
of completing the Stepwell started by her husband,
decided to end her life, as mark of devotion to her
husband. She circumambulated the Stepwell with
prayers and jumped into the well, ending the saga of
building the well in tragedy. These events are depicted
on the walls of the well. Begada however allowed the

3. Adalaj Stepwell, Gujarat
Location:Adalaj,Gujarat Adalaj is a census town
in Gandhinagar district in
the Indian state of Gujara
t..
ADALAJ
STEP WELL
VEG.MARKET
SHOPPING
CENTRE

4. Adalaj Stepwell, Gujarat
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ACCESSIBILITYANMODEOF
TRANSPORT
BUS STOP: 10 METERS
ADALAJ CHOKDI RAILWAY
STATION: 1KM
MANEKBA RAILWAY SATION:
1.5KM apprx
HALTING POINT: 1.2METERS
1.BUS STOP
2.ROADS TOWARD GANDHINAGAR
HW
3. ROAD TOWARD NH71
4. ROAD TOWARD NH71
5. ROAD TOWARD NH71
6. ROADS TOWARD GANDHINAGAR
HW

5. Adalaj Stepwell, Gujarat
VEGETATION
PEEPAL
EUCALYPTUS
NEEM
ClimaticFactors
Adalaj Lake

6. Adalaj Stepwell, Gujarat
SOIL TYPE : SANDY
LOAM TO SANDY
Water Table
the ground water level in the city
was 63 meters in 1997.
The level kept deadening at
fluctuating rates to touch 105
meters underground in 2006.
In 2007, the water level rose to
around 94 meters.
However, the level has dropped
again to around 100 meters now.
Climatic Factors

7. Adalaj Stepwell, Gujarat
Built in sand stone in Solanki
architectural style, the Adlaj
stepwell is five stories deep.
Early stepwells were made of
stone, later step wells were
made of mortar, stucco, rubble
and laminar stones. over the
year.
The structural system is typically Indian
style with traditional trabeat with horizontal
beams and lintels. At the bottom of the well
is a square stepped floor in the shape of a
funnel extending to the lowest plane.
Each floor is spacious enough to provide
for people to congregate. It was dug deep to
access ground water at that level,
accounting for seasonal fluctuations in water
level due to rainfall.
Concept

8. Adalaj Stepwell, Gujarat
The motifs of flowers and
graphics of Islamic architecture
blend very well with the symbols
of Hindu and Jain gods carved at
various levels of the well. The
dominant carvings on the upper
floors are of elephants (3 inches
(76 mm) in size, each of different
design).
The Islamic architectural style could be
attributed to the Muslim king Begda who
built it. The walls are carved with women
performing daily chores such as churning
of buttermilk, adorning themselves,
scenes of performance of dancers and
musicians, and the King overlooking all
these activities
Elements

9. Adalaj Stepwell, Gujarat
From the first story level, three
staircases lead to the bottom
water level of the well, which is
considered a unique feature. Built
along a North-South axis,
entrance is from the South, the
three staircases are from the
South, West and East directions
leading to the landing, which is on
the northern side of the well
It is octagonal in plan at the top on
intricately carved pillars
 Four small rooms with
oriel windows decorated with
minutely carved brackets are
provided at the landing level, at the
four corners. The top part of the
well, however, is a vertical space
open to the sky.
Structure

10. Adalaj Stepwell, Gujarat
The air and light vents in the
roofs at various floors and at
the landing level are in the
form of large openings
leading to the octagonal well.
However direct sunlight do
not touch the flight of stairs or
the well except for a brief
period of time
The temperature inside is
said to be 6 degrees cooler
than the outside.
This encouraged the women who came to fetch water to spend more time
in the cool climes here. They stayed to worship the gods and goddesses and
gossip.
Above the square floor, columns, beams, wall and arched openings spiral
around; a feature that continues to the top. The top part of the well, however,
is a vertical space open to sky.
Climatic Response

11. Thank You