The Vav -An Aesthetic Innovation of Gujarat

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Abstract

This thesis proposes that the stepwell or Vav of Gujarat was a regional innovation driven by environmental and geological conditions, but also by the aesthetic sophistication supported by its patrons. The distinguishing factos of the Vav set it apart from other water buildings in India.

Figures (18)

Figure 1: The vavs of Gujarat, such as the Dada Harir vav above, display a unique and impressive style of stone art and underground architecture. Image: Ranjit Pawar mesmerized with the unique display of subterranean architecture and stone art. The

These were undoubtedly water storage tanks, and surprisingly they were

Figure 3: Later wells like this 16th century well in Champaner also continue to use the technique of building steps within the cylinder itself. Image: Victoria Lautman the well or added later using stone blocks. dug wells in India are fitted with such staircases that are either cut into the sidewall of

Figure 5: Narrow corridors of early vavs like the Majushri vav at Dhank. Image: Dharman Donge such examples from the early period in the Western parts of Gujarat.

Figure 6: The L-shaped design of the Manjushri vav helped with the geological forces acting on its sidewalls. Image: Morna Livingston an L-shaped, with intersecting axes is the key feature of these vavs. of the well, much below the ground level. The arrangement of short corridors, arranged in Archaeologists and researchers believe this L-shaped architecture was a deliberate choice made to avoid a single long corridor whose walls would have buckled

Figure 7: Rani ki vav, Patan. The projecting buttresses formed by the baulks can be seen in the above image. Image: Ranjit Pawar achieved a far more extensive length and breadth for the stepwells (Mankodi 236). Measuring sixty-five metres in length and twenty metres in width, this vav can

Figure 8: Rudabai ki vav, Adalaj. View from upper pavilions. Image: Wikimedia Commons shrines built at different levels in the sidewalls. The horizontal platform of the upper level

Figure 9: The Rataba vav is distinguished by the Shikhara like domes that cap its pavilion towers. Image: Victoria Lautman Similarly, other wells such as the Rataba stepwell or the Madha vav that belong to

Figure 10: The octagonal balconies of the Rudabai ki vav at Adalaj. Image: Ayush Varma since the vav’s mesmerizing effect would not be possible without the beautiful interiors

Figure 11: Sculptures inside the vav were often inspired by mythical ideas. Image: Ranjit Pawar The concept of the Patala Loka is relevant to the vav because this may be one

Figure 12: Vaishnava imagery such as this Sheshashayin posture of Vishnu dominate the interiors of the Rani ki vav. Image: Ranjit Pawar fertile region for the development of civilization in Northern India. Similarly, the monsoon. fed rivers such as the Godavari or Krishna enabled the development of societies and were responsible for bringing rich alluvial silt from the Himalayan valleys and creating a

Figure 13: Lively images of animals and celestial beings bring alive the interiors of the vav. Image: Ranjit Pawar the Puranas. The patrons of the vav must have believed that they were not merely donating to experience of entering a spiritual space that was made as splendid as the Patala Loka of

Figure 14: The vav would have been a space for daily social interactions. Image: Ranjit Pawar village urchins taking a dive into the cooling water. The echoes of chatter and laughter of women awaiting their turn to draw water

Figure 16: Baolis such as the Agrasen ki Baoli above have wide pathways with no pavilion towers or closed roofs. Image: Wikimedia Commons Rajasthan all the way down south to Karnataka is dotted with various water buildings, In Rajasthan, Haryana and Delhi water buildings are known as Baolis. These are