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Rani Ki Vav (Queen's stepwell) at Patan, In Gujarat, India



Rani Ki Vav (Queen's stepwell) at Patan, In Gujarat, India

  • Rani Ki Vav (Queen's stepwell) in Patan, Gujarat, India.
  • Rani ki Vav is an intricately constructed stepwell situated in the town of Patan in Gujarat, India. It is located on the banks of Saraswati River. 
  • Rani ki Vav was built as a memorial to an 11th-century king Bhimdev Solanki by his beloved wife Queen Udayamati.


Rani Ki Vav (Queen's stepwell) at Patan, In Gujarat, India

Rani-ki-Vav, on the banks of the Saraswati River, was initially built as a memorial to a king in the 11th century AD. Stepwells are a distinctive form of subterranean water resource and storage systems on the Indian subcontinent and have been constructed since the 3rd millennium BC. They evolved over time from what was basically a pit in sandy soil towards elaborate multi-storey works of art and architecture. Rani-ki-Vav was built at the height of craftsmen’ ability in stepwell construction and the Maru-Gurjara architectural style, reflecting mastery of this complex technique and great beauty of detail and proportions. Designed as an inverted temple highlighting the sanctity of water, it is divided into seven levels of stairs with sculptural panels of high artistic quality; more than 500 principle sculptures and over a thousand minor ones combine religious, mythological and secular imagery, often referencing literary works. The fourth level is the deepest and leads into a rectangular tank 9.5 m by 9.4 m, at a depth of 23 m. The well is located at the westernmost end of the property and consists of a shaft 10 m in diameter and 30 m deep.


Rani Ki Vav (Queen's stepwell) at Patan, In Gujarat, India

Rani-ki-Vav is an exceptional example of a distinctive form of subterranean water architecture of the Indian subcontinent, the stepwell, which is located on the banks of the Saraswati River in Patan. Initially built as a memorial in the 11th century CE, the stepwell was constructed as a religious as well as functional structure and designed as an inverted temple highlighting the sanctity of water. Rani-ki-Vav is a single-component, water management system divided into seven levels of stairs and sculptural panels of high artistic and aesthetic quality. It is oriented in an east-west direction and combines all of the principle components of a stepwell, including a stepped corridor beginning at ground level, a series of four pavilions with an increasing amount of storeys towards the west, the tank, and the well in tunnel shaft form. More than five hundred principle sculptures and over a thousand minor ones combine religious, mythological and secular imagery, often referencing literary works.



Rani Ki Vav (Queen's stepwell) at Patan, In Gujarat, India

Rani-ki-Vav impresses not only with its architectural structure and technological achievements in water sourcing and structural stability, but also in particular with its sculptural decoration, of true artistic mastery. The figurative motifs and sculptures, and the proportion of filled and empty spaces, provide the stepwell’s interior with its unique aesthetic character. The setting enhances these attributes in the way in which the well descends suddenly from a plain plateau, which strengthens the perception of this space.


Rani Ki Vav (Queen's stepwell) at Patan, In Gujarat, India

Rani-ki-Vav has a high level of authenticity in material, substance, design, workmanship and, to a certain extent, atmosphere, location and setting. While it maintained its authentic material and substance, it also required some punctual reconstructions for structural stability. In all instances reconstructed elements were only added where structurally required to protect remaining sculpture, and they are indicated by smooth surfaces and a lack of decoration which can be easily distinguished from the historic elements. Around the outer terrace at ground level, slopes of smooth descent, a so-called sacrificial terrace, were created to prevent soil erosion following stronger rain falls. Unfortunately the Rani-ki-Vav cannot retain authenticity in use and function as a result of the altered ground water levels following the relocation of Saraswati River.


Rani Ki Vav (Queen's stepwell) at Patan, In Gujarat, India



Rani Ki Vav (Queen's stepwell) at Patan, In Gujarat, India



Rani Ki Vav (Queen's stepwell) at Patan, In Gujarat, India



Rani Ki Vav (Queen's stepwell) at Patan, In Gujarat, India



Rani Ki Vav (Queen's stepwell) at Patan, In Gujarat, India



Rani Ki Vav (Queen's stepwell) at Patan, In Gujarat, India



Rani Ki Vav (Queen's stepwell) at Patan, In Gujarat, India


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Rani Ki Vav (Queen's stepwell) at Patan, In Gujarat, India


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Rani Ki Vav (Queen's stepwell) at Patan, In Gujarat, India


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Rani Ki Vav (Queen's stepwell) at Patan, In Gujarat, India