Not far from the frenetic streets surrounding Connaught Place in Delhi, an ancient subterranean marvel possessing a fascinating history remains in an almost Zen-like condition. For the believers of mystical tales and legends, this is also where strange occurrences happen and ghostly demons plot curses. The Agrasen Ki Baoli is an ancient water reservoir common all over India of the olden times. Descending to a total of 108 stone steps, it has three levels all lined-up with arched niches on both sides.
The name was derived from the Hindi word "bawdi", which in the regions of Gujarat and Rajasthan, becomes the word “baoli”, referring to water temples. Historians who studied the type of architecture of Agrasen Ki Baoli hinted that the structure was built sometime around 14th century during the reign of the Islamic empire of the Delhi Sultanate.
There are around 14 of these ancient step wells in Delhi and the Agrasen Ki Baoli—being the biggest and the most intact—was designated as a protected monument by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act of 1958.
In a country dotted with historical ancient landmarks—and I've been fortunate to have visited a lot of it before—being in this throwback gem of a historic spot in the middle of Delhi, still afforded me with yet another wonderful memory of India.
After almost an hour and already nearing sunset, me and Jane decided to get going and went back to our hostel on foot but not before stopping by a street famous for Delhi sweets.
