Stepping down the Stepped Well Photo

Photographer’s Note

Imagine discovering a 700 year old monument of historical significance ‘hidden’ right under our very nose in the heart of commercial centre of New Delhi!

A newspaper report about an incident caught my attention & I asked my colleagues where the place might be. When I heard that it was within 10 minutes walking distance from our office, I was thrilled.
Located on the narrow Hailey Lane on the Atul Grove Road (old Hailey Road) cutting across the Kasturba Gandhi Road, in the center of modern Delhi, is an ancient stepped well or Baoli. Agrasen's Baoli (stepped-well) is said to have been built by Raja Agrasen, the forefather of the Aggarwal community. Situated amidst the modern high rise buildings, the entrance of the baoli has almost vanished.

Boalis (the step wells) are ancient water reservoirs which were built by various dynasties that ruled Delhi. Today were engineering marvels and remarkable art forms that today lie in ruins. The step-well consists of two parts: a vertical shaft from which water is drawn and the surrounding inclined subterranean passageways, chambers and steps which provide access to the well. The galleries and chambers surrounding these wells were often carved profusely with elaborate detail and became cool, quiet retreats during the hot summers. The galleries and chambers in some of the baolis went eight levels below the ground level and provided the much needed relief from the north Indian summers.

From architectural perspective Agrasen's Baoli’s considered Tughlaq period. This complex might have been constructed by Agrawal community which traces its origin to Maharaja Agrasen. This 14th century structure is believed to be among the 'finest' baolis in Delhi because of its innovative designs. Built with rubble and dressed stone, it measures 60 meters long, from north to south and 15 meters wide at ground level. The main feature of the structure is the long flight of steps flanked by a thick wall with two series of arched structures, the lower ones submerged under water and the upper ones just above the surface of the water. These steps between the walls lead down to the water level. Some parts of well are permanently immersed in water. The visible parts of step well consists of three levels. Each level is lined with arched niches on both sides.

This Baoli, which is named after Raja Agrasen has a legend that any Aggarwal new to the area could call on his fellow Aggarwals for help. Every person of the community would help him by donating a brick and a small sum of rupees. Likewise he would help the next person of the community in need.

Agrasen's Baoli is a fascinating remnant of Delhi's history in the midst of the modern heart of the city.

This is a stitch of 6 photos. However, I had to crop & reduce the height of this picture (I miss the fringes of the steps which needed to be chopped off) in order to post the Large Version. The original version (uncut), which I would have liked to post can be seen here. Note the parts of the steps to the right & the green foliage at the top, which had to be cropped off. The Large Version, however is of this uncropped version in full size.

leo61, abulafia, ChrisJ, everlasting, riclopes, feather, bostankorkulugu, edytungkal, TopGeo, papagolf21, Atousa, jonathan_hart, pierrefonds, josepmarin, emjleclercq, yasoda-nandana, jafadabret, Didi, Felip, plimrn, Bluejeans, Mistral has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

ChrisJ (70443) 2008-12-09 1:45

Hi Angshuman

A good high pov, looking down into the structure, with excellent perspective & sharpness. Tfs!

jasmis (51257) 2008-12-09 1:59 [Comment]

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everlasting (10942) 2008-12-09 2:57

This is incredible Angshu, to have 'found' this is the heart of Delhi. You have to open the large version to obtain the full impact of this place. Very cleverly stitiched and taken with a good POV. Its on my list Angshu for Delhi:)

riclopes (33137) 2008-12-09 2:59

Spectacular, Angshu. It reminds me the vast reservoirs that exist in tunnels under the main center of Lisbon, Baixa Pombalina...The Large Version is amazing and it has great detail of image. A fascinating perspective with much of adventure mood. I can imagine your excitment in this hidden place, right in the heart of Delhi. Like me you always try to include a human figure which contributes much for both the scale and for the animation of the photo. In my opinion the diference to the uncropped isn't that much. Congratulations, once again.
Friendly regards,
ricardo

feather (50460) 2008-12-09 3:20

What an amazing construction to have just been discovered. The detail in the large version is incredible. The perspective is wonderful and we are carried right into the image with it. The amount you had to crop is insignificant, but you could have increased the width with a border just on the sides to achieve the correct ratio if you had wanted to, although of course it would have reduced the overall size of the whole image.
Kath

carper (66056) 2008-12-09 3:33

the big one is very nice Angshu,
orginal photo, good details and a fine composition, good photojob, have anice day.
regard Jaap

Gerrit (36513) 2008-12-09 4:21

Hi Angshu,
very impressive building and photo.
Excellent depth and sharpness and good colors.
Regards, gerrit

somak_g (463) 2008-12-09 7:42

hi angshu,

the subject is a special favourite of mine. inspite of being shot from a distance, all features are clear & all details are visible. i liked this one.

regards
somak

ps. there is another one in purana quila - but its not so much open to the sky - infact the lower portion is quite dark.

bostankorkulugu (34148) 2008-12-09 9:35

an image that pulles me deep in... so sharp and clear, looks almost 3D my friend... a real good job with a good note to go along with it... all the best... korkut

edytungkal (4521) 2008-12-09 20:56

Just admire how you have so many historical sites of India and the structures are very unique and interesting, just curious to know about the bottom side of this historic place and your note help me to understand this place. About the picture maybe just suggest if you added higher to include the green nature, just curoius...
Anyway this a very good documentary shot from India and of course we can learn more after saw your post. Thanks Angshu friend...

daniel

TopGeo (22457) 2008-12-09 23:31

Hi Angshu! Constitutes interest this manufacture so much as architectural what photographic spectacle. They is a picture with a note very instructively.Excellent depth and sharpness and good colors.
Regards
Georgios

Graal (59046) 2008-12-10 0:01

Hi Angshuman,
another interesting presentation and historical place. Nice perspective, good composition. Fine quality in large version. I like it.
Gr., Aleksander

papagolf21 (56977) 2008-12-10 0:58

Bonjour, mon ami Angshu,
La version large nous offre une superbe vue sur ce monument historique.
Votre choix de cadrage est excellent et valorise merveilleusement cet édifice.
Du beau et du très grand Angshu.
Félicitations.
Amitiés.
Philippe

Atousa (3504) 2008-12-10 3:16

Salam Angshu,

It is really interesting..you did a great job to show this magnificent baoli..the inclusion of the person has been a great idea for scale..very nice..TFS
Best regards, A

jonathan_hart (22737) 2008-12-10 4:37

not eye catching at first, then open the large one, and here, very fine !
seems that the stitch was not easy, there is a little area were it is strangely blurred
very interesting post
regards
jc

pierrefonds (26779) 2008-12-10 4:41

Hi Angshuman,

The stitch of six photos gave an inpressive view. The prsence of the person has an effect of scale. The point of view is allowing us to see with precision the details and colors of the architecture of the Baoli. The subject is well frame. The light has a good effect on the colors. Have a nice day.

Pierre

josepmarin (34223) 2008-12-10 11:08

Hi Angshuman,
Your POV obtains a great depth and a strong perspective in this historical architecture. The textures of the old stones have a good graphism.
Good idea the incorporation of the person in the framing, which gives us the reference on the scale of this place.
Good work in the stitch and in the composition of the LV.
Friendly regards,
Josep

bukitgolfb301 (5126) 2008-12-10 12:51

Hello Angshuman

I think this photo can be used good sample or text regarding how effective wide focus lens is. As usual I am knock down by your complete photo. Thanks for your good photo

Best regards

Takero

emjleclercq (14606) 2008-12-10 13:17

The stich makes an unusual format, but quite adapted to the wide angle of the perspective. I just regret ther is not a little more space at the tpo.

All the best,

Emmanuel

emilbo (9727) 2008-12-10 15:54

allô Angshuman!
Excellent point de vue et magnifique monument historique qui semble assez bien conservé. c'est beau à voir en grand. Bonne composition et le personnage donne de la vie à la photo. Très intéressante note historique.
Cordiales salutations,
Emilius

aadilj (17950) 2008-12-10 21:55

You have captured this place well! yes I have heard of it so many times but never ventured to find it. Great work

jafadabret (40601) 2008-12-11 9:20

Hi Angshu.
J'aime la version large qui donne à cet édifice toute son ampleur. Ces réservoirs démontrent l'ingéniosité des anciens.
Excellent travail !
Jacques

Didi (36654) 2008-12-12 3:24

Hello Angshu
I like very much large posts with a deep foreground.
Your point of view is great; I feel falling thru my screen into the decor.
Best regards.

Felip (3905) 2008-12-12 8:44

Hi Angshu,
I don't know very well if it's due to the POV you have used here, or the wide pano format, but tightened compo, but the fact is that your shot has an strange hipnotic power...or at least so is what it produces to me. Good work!

Have a nice weekend

Felip

plimrn (19832) 2008-12-15 6:28

Hi Angshu,
You're right, the uncropped version has a more three dimensional feel but the small crop is definitely worth the joy of being able to see the splendid detail in the large version.

What a great idea, to make a well into an oasis of cool. Thank you for once again teaching more about the world.
HLJ, Pat

marietom (32266) 2008-12-15 10:30

hello Angshu,

Jolie composition, avec de belles lignes. j'aime bien le choix de format panoramique.
Bonne soirée
Marie

abulafia (4802) 2008-12-17 22:18

Amazing structure, and also impressive that it was just 10 minutes walk from your office:)
Always hard to get a good picture of such a cramped place, but your stitched panorama offers a very good view over the place.
Very nice work and a good note.
Harry

leo61 (44080) 2008-12-18 23:28

Hi Angshu!
Great POV and excellent composition with this man in the neon green shirt.The image has a great depth and I like these red tones.
The large version looks fantastic.
Regards,leo

Bluejeans (33345) 2008-12-21 8:49

Oi amigo ,
Que lindo este monumento de 700 anos a colagem das 6 fotos ficou muito boa , ficou com uma profundidade magnifica , a pessoa dá uma noção de escala como o monumento e grande , gostei muito da textura das paredes , boa luz , parabéns!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

Bom Natal

Mistral (13846) 2008-12-31 10:00

Didn't know of this place Angshuman, thanks!
Excellent your composition and technic. Your note is very well done, as usual.
Happy New Year!
Luca

rajiv_077 (1355) 2009-01-14 22:04

Hello Dear

This is another very great image of yours, A top class panorama picture, i always love paranorma pictures and this is one of the fav. Excellent cropping, composing and colors with contrast. I think if you could show the building (behind) then it would have been better, because this place is really amazing and situated inside the building and looks different with other architecture place of Delhi's . But this is class shot.

My office is also situated on Janpath road and 5 minutes waling distance to this place, last week i also visited this place and captured some shots, i'll post them soon. This is really a very nice place, and now there is no water.

regards

rajiv