Kund vapi

about subterranean structures in India

1. Kund-vapi Subterranean Structures humanities – sem 5 Groupe members Akshay .A Sourabh .K Abhishek . P

2. Subterranean Structures It means the underground structures, both natural and man-made. Kunds / stepwells are one of the subterranean structures in India . Kunds are well in which we can reach to the bottom of well to fetch the water by using the steps . The majority of surviving stepwells originally also served a leisure purpose, as well as providing water. This was because the base of the well provided relief from daytime heat.

3. How Subterranean Structures Formed In India As water has served as an indispensable part of religious ritual and has most important role in shaping the settlement patterns and tradition of people . Consequently, every region in the sub continent developed traditional water conservation structures in tune with their geographical needs and architectural style . The earliest subterranean structures in India dates from the 7th century and are mostly found in Saurashtra (   Surat ) peninsular region of Gujarat. As the form developed, the rituals grew and the richness of the architectural expression increased.

4. Famous Kunds Of Their Centuries Modhera Kund Madhavav Adalaj stepwell Dhai Harir stepwell Sabali Kund Vav Jethabhai's stepwell

5. Modhera Kund ( 10 th century) Modhera Kund it is a part of sun temple located at modhera village of mehsana district, Gujrat. The sun temple was built during the reign of Bhima I of Chaulukya dynasty .   The  Kund  with its corner shrines was built earlier in the beginning of the 11th century. It measures 176 feet from north to south and 120 feet from east to west.  There are four terraces and recessed steps to descend to reach the bottom of the tank. The main entrance lies on west.  These steps are rectangular or square except the first step of each flight of steps which is semi-circular. Several miniature shrines and niches in front of terrace-wall have images of gods

6. Madhavav ( 13 th century ) Madhavav  or  Madhav Vav  is a stepwell located in Wadhwan town of Surendra nagar district, Gujarat, India The Sanskrit inscription states that it was built by Madhav and Keshav, the Nagar Brahmin minister brothers in the court of Karandev II of Vaghela dynasty in 1294  The stepwell is constructed in east-west direction; the entrance is in the west while the well is in the east. It is 55 metres long and the well is 5.3 metres in diameter. At the top of the round well-shaft, there are six double-bent struts in the last storey; four in back wall covered with stone lintel for drawing up water, in leathern bags for irrigation purposes.

7.   Adalaj Stepwell ( 14 th century ) Just north of Ahmedabad is the step-well of Adalaj, built by Rudabai, wife of the Vaghela chief Virasimha. It has three entrances which meet in a huge square platform, from which a stepped corridor descends, interrupted at intervals by four pavilion-towers. This step-well has an octagonal shaft, terminating in a square pond used for bathing. Beyond this is the round shaft of the well proper, decorated with carved ornamental bands and niches. Adalaj is noted for the quality of its sculptural ornamentation , ranging from floral relief panels to shrines to the various deities.

8. Dhai Harir Stepwell ( 15 th century) This step-well was built during Mahmud Begada’s rule, probably by his foster-mother Harir. Built in sand stone in Solanki architectural style, the Dada Harir stepwell is five stories deep. Built along a East-West axis, entrance is from the East, the two spiral staircases are in West, near the well.  At the bottom of the well is a square stepped floor in the shape of a funnel extending to the lowest plane.  The air and light vents in the roofs at various floors and at the landing level are in the form of large openings. 

9. Sabali Kund-Vav (16 th century) Built by Raja Bharmal in 1526, in memory of his queen Jivini. This Kund Vav represents a further evolution in subterranean structures, marking a shift not only toward the religious aspects of Islam, but also to its more secular functions. The steps descend on three sides only: the fourth is a multi- storeyed wall of rooms at different levels, opening onto the Kund . These rooms must have been a deliciously cool retreat in the heat of summer, and a wonderful place to while away the hot afternoons and evenings with poetry and music

10. Jethabhai's Stepwell ( 19 th century) Jethabhai's Stepwell  or  Jethabhai's ni Vav , is a stepwell in Isanpur area of Ahmedabad, Gujarat,   It was constructed little more than forty years ago by the late Jethabhai's Jivanlal Nagjibhai  This Vav is 210 feet (64 m) in length and from 21 to 22 feet (6.4 to 6.7 m) wide, with a dome raised on twelve pillars on the entrance at the west end. It has the usual descents from platform or gallery to gallery." The stepwell was built by Jethabhai's around 1860s. It has four pavilions and the entrance pavilion is canopied.