Forgotten Architectural Marvels · Ancient Water Harvesting Systems
The Mirage That Is Real
A grand stepwell at Kichanapally, Sangareddy
Imagine being in an arid, parched part of the youngest State of India. You badly want water, but all you see is miles of nothingness. And suddenly you find several flights of stairs leading to water.
No, it's not a mirage! These are stepwells — wonderful structures that are now virtually forgotten.
The Hyderabad Design Forum Survey
According to official records, there are just 41 stepwells in Telangana. However, a team from the Hyderabad Design Forum (HDF) — a guild of architects with an archaeological bent of mind, headed by architect A.R. Yeshwant — undertook extensive surveys and found over 110 such stepwells across the State, with the exception of the twin cities and Mahabubnagar district.
Ramamurthy, a member of the HDF team, says he came across a beautiful stepwell by accident at Kichenapalli in Sangareddy district. “I was astounded by its scale and brilliance of its architecture. There are pavilions and the construction is very robust,” he said.
The team aims to identify and document 100+ stepwells and record the period in which they were constructed.
All Documented Stepwells of Telangana
List compiled from government records, Hyderabad Design Forum surveys, and archaeological reports.
History: Also known as Nagannakunta, it was built during the Asaf Jahi period. It served as a water source for Gandhi Hospital. The area was developed by Seth Bansilal in 1933, after whom the stepwell was renamed. It fell into disuse in the 1980s after several suicides.
Restoration: Restored in 2022 by the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation and The Rainwater Project. Over 2,000 tonnes of debris were removed. The restoration, which took over 500 days, involved 100 professionals and 1,000 workers and has become a model for reviving other stepwells.
Description: The largest of the six stepwells in the complex, it is a massive quadrangle structure.
Restoration: Restored in 2016 after its western wall collapsed in 2013. It now has a capacity of 3.5 million litres and collects rainwater for irrigation and construction.
History: Named 'Hathi Baoli' because elephants were used to draw water from it. It was a three-floored building with a staircase from the bottom to the top reservoir. The water was used for the mosque's ablution pond and for the beasts of burden of travellers on the Surat-Masulipatnam trade route.
Condition: Currently in a dilapidated condition, partially filled with earth and debris.
Description: The temple complex was once home to seven stepwells. One, 'Dakshina Pushkarani', is currently being restored. The architecture is a blend of Rajasthani, Mughal, and European styles.
Restoration: Work is underway to revive the stepwells, with 32 feet of silt removed from one well. The plan is to use the restored wells for temple rituals.
One of the few stepwells in the city that is still functional and maintained. It is an example of a well-preserved temple tank.
Features a long flight of wide stairs, jharokas, and disc medallions reminiscent of Qutb Shahi decorative motifs. Crocodile motifs on the pulley platform add a unique touch.
History: Built along the east-west trade route connecting Masulipatnam with western port towns. It was likely used by business travellers, with shallow channels for irrigation water distribution.
History: Referred to as the 'aristocratic bagh', it was a summer pleasure garden where families gathered for picnics. The water was used for flowering and fruit trees. Its architecture is a blend of Rajasthani and Mughal styles.
One of the stepwells within the Sitarambagh Temple complex.
De-silted and revived, this is one of the rare stepwells still functional. It reflects a regimented style of cantonment architecture with semi-circular arches and granite courses.
History: The area 'Gachibowli' is named after this stepwell. 'Gachi' means lime mortar and 'bowli' means stepwell, referring to a well plastered with limestone.
Restoration: Revived and inaugurated in November 2021.
Unique Feature: The well gives water that looks, smells, and is treasured like milk. Water from this well was transported daily to Hyderabad during the Nizam's era. It is known for not drying up even in summer.
The name indicates that the well had more sand content. It is one of several Hyderabad areas named after the type of well present there.
Unique Feature: One of the oldest and most interesting stepwells, dedicated to the Nakshatras (constellations). It had 23 pavilions, each likely housing an idol, which were destroyed during the Razakar period.
History: Believed to be a multi-storied well used by Queen Rudramadevi. A secret passageway from the Warangal Fort is said to lead to this stepwell. It is believed that the queen used it for bathing and beauty treatments.
Architecture: Built across three levels: the bottom for bathing, the middle with rooms for changing, and the top for rituals.
Several other stepwells have been identified in the Warangal area, including:
- Shiva Nagar metla bavi
- Esanna bavi
- Akka chellelu bavi
- Savathula bavi
- Kodi Kuthala bavi
- Gadiyaram bavi
- Shrungara bavi (already listed)
- Jangamaiah bavi
- Gopala Swamy bavi
- Konda masjid bavi
- Hanuman gudi bavi
- Durga Devi bavi
Historians estimate that the Kakatiya kings built over 300 wells in Warangal.
Significance: Located in a famous Jain centre, this stepwell is part of the region's rich heritage. It is one of the key sites documented by the Hyderabad Design Forum.
Significance: Located near the historic Rachakonda Fort, which was the capital of the Recherla chiefs from 1325 to 1474 AD. It was one of the sites closely analyzed by the Hyderabad Design Forum.
Significance: Another key site documented by the Hyderabad Design Forum, highlighting its architectural and historical importance.
Description: A grand stepwell discovered by the Hyderabad Design Forum. The team was astounded by its scale, robust construction, and beautiful pavilions.
Significance: An ancient stepwell located within the fort premises. Archaeology enthusiasts have urged the government to restore it along with the historic temples in the fort.
A stepwell constructed during the 11th century.
One of the stepwells identified and documented by the Hyderabad Design Forum.
Cultural & Scientific Significance
“There is a scientific angle too. During Bathukamma, women play with floral decorations and they finally immerse them in the nearest water source — in this case, these wells. Natural beauty agents in these flowers dissolve in the water and purify it, giving them medicinal properties,” explained a team member.
The HDF heard other interesting tales during their survey:
- Dongala Baavi (Well of Thieves) – Located in Medak district, where robbers would split their loot at night.
- Sringara Baavi – Which the legendary Rani Rudrama Devi would visit at night for her beauty bath, disguised as a boy!
Restoration & The Road Ahead
Once restored, these stepwells could be integrated with the Telangana government's Mission Kakatiya programme of restoring tanks and wells in the State to ensure they could store water during the monsoon. It is still too early to talk about the extent of land they could irrigate, but the immediate benefits are clear.
- Each stepwell holds an average of 24 lakh litres of water.
- This water can be used for drinking purposes after proper treatment.
- Revival will help recharge groundwater and support local agriculture.
- Preservation of these heritage structures will boost cultural tourism.
The documentation and restoration of these stepwells is not just about water conservation — it's about preserving the architectural genius, cultural traditions, and historical narratives of the Deccan region.
Legacy – A Call to Remember
The stepwells of Telangana are a testament to the advanced water management systems of our ancestors. They are not just utilitarian structures but are intricately designed architectural marvels that served as community gathering spaces, religious sites, and symbols of royal patronage. The efforts of the Hyderabad Design Forum and other heritage enthusiasts are crucial in bringing these forgotten gems back into the limelight, ensuring they are not lost to time and neglect.
- Architectural Marvels: Robust construction with pavilions, staircases, and intricate carvings.
- Historical Significance: Supplied water during sieges, supported agriculture, and were political power centres.
- Cultural Heritage: Associated with festivals (Bathukamma) and folklore (Dongala Baavi, Sringara Baavi).
- Current Status: In shambles and disuse; unprotected and undocumented.
- Survey Findings: 75+ stepwells found beyond the official count of 41.
- Future Plans: Integration with Mission Kakatiya for storage, drinking water, and irrigation.
- Deccan Chronicle – Hyderabad Architects Race to Save Ancient Stepwells
- The Hindu – The Forgotten Step-wells of Telangana
- Hyderabad Design Forum (HDF) – Survey findings and documentation.
- Government of Telangana – Mission Kakatiya programme.
These ancient water bodies are more than just wells — they are the silent guardians of Telangana's history, waiting to be rediscovered and revitalized.