Rudabai Stepwell, Adalaj

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.