Rudabai Stepwell in Adalaj is one of the magnificent Step-well that is truly a architectural marvel. King Mahmud Begada had built this step-well in 1499 for his queen Rudabai. Once upon a time it provided water for drinking, washing and bathing.
It is an fine masterpiece of Indo-Islamic fusion. It was dug deep to access ground water at that level and it is five stories deep. The sandstone structure built on intricately carved large number of pillars is octagonal in plan at the top.
The air and light vents in the roofs at various floors and at the landing level are in the form of large openings. 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.
Four small rooms with oriel windows decorated with minutely carved brackets are provided at the landing level, at the four corners.
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.
It is an fine masterpiece of Indo-Islamic fusion. It was dug deep to access ground water at that level and it is five stories deep. The sandstone structure built on intricately carved large number of pillars is octagonal in plan at the top.
The air and light vents in the roofs at various floors and at the landing level are in the form of large openings. 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.
Four small rooms with oriel windows decorated with minutely carved brackets are provided at the landing level, at the four corners.
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.
25 comments:
Wonderful pics.
Lovely pictures... Happy New year Rajesh...
The building is so large. I never imagined there would be such ornate wells. The fusion of the different religious decorations perhaps shows a more tolerant society than we have today.
Beautiful carvings and intricate details cover every surface, a true work of art. Thanks for sharing with us at Mosaic Monday.
A beautiful and fascinating building. I'm always interested to see what was going in different countries at the same time. Probably because of the climate ,Indian stonework has stood the test of time better than in Europe.
So much fine works.. beautiful photographs..
Superbly captured!
Wow - that is really beautiful!
What a magnificent place! The carvings are so intricate and beautiful!
I really like the carvings in the last group of photos Rajesh. They are so intricate.
Incredible indeed! Excellent capture on the fascinating details of the well
Amazing architecture and artwork !
So beautifully carved. I have read the word 'oriel' before and knew it was a kind of window, but never really knew what one looked like before. Thank you for showing me.
O what beautiful carvings...such a magnificent structure..happy Ruby
Admirable!
Leslie
abcw team
Great architecture..
Wonderful images of beautiful ornate architecture ~
Wishing you a Happy Week ahead ~ ^_^
I love these architectural marvels.
Worth a Thousand Words
This is amazing - even a well has so much intricate workmanship.
astonishing architecture
ROG, ABCW
looks magnificient
what lovely carvings
Amazing architecture. Always look forward to viewing your photos on your blog.
I am always amazed when I see pictures of these beautiful wells.
KatieBankerchick
Gorgeous indeed... those intricate carvings, amazing, and what a lot of work is put into it.
Have a nice ABC-Wednesday / _ Week
♫ M e l ☺ d y ♫ (abc=w=team)
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I like the slightly pink color in this place :)
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