Bansilalpet Stepwell
| Bansilalpet Stepwell | |
|---|---|
 Bansilalpet stepwell, post restoration, in 2023 | |
| Type | Stepwell |
| Location | Secunderabad, India |
| Coordinates | 17°25′50.2068″N 78°29′35.3515″E / 17.430613000°N 78.493153194°E |
| Built | 17th-century |
| Restored | December 5, 2022 |
  Location of Bansilalpet Stepwell in Hyderabad  Bansilalpet Stepwell (Telangana)  Bansilalpet Stepwell (India) | |
Bansilalpet Stepwell also known as Nagannakunta[1] is a 17th-century stepwell in Hyderabad, India.[2][3]
History
[edit]The exact date when the well was built is not exactly known. It is assumed that the well was built around 17th century during the Asif-Jahi period.[4] The stepwell remained in use well into the 20th century,[3] acting as one of the sources of water for the Gandhi Hospital.[4] The stepwell was earlier known as Naganah Kunta as per a map published in 1954. It also noted that there was a garden of tamarind and palmyra trees surrounding the stepwell.[3] In 1933, the area surrounding the well was developed into a residential area. The development of this project was funded by a local businessman, Seth Bansilal, after which Naganah Kunta was renamed as Bansilalpet Baori.[3] The stepwell fell into disuse in the 1980s after a few suicides at the well.[2]
Restoration
[edit]The well was restored in 2022 by the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation and The Rainwater Project. More than 2000 tons of debris was removed during the restoration process.[3][5] The restoration uncovered a six-stage stepwell that was 50 feet (15 m) below ground.[3] The restored stepwell was inaugurated by K. T. Rama Rao on 5 December, 2022.[6]
Facilities
[edit]A cafe, three galleries, and amphitheater are located within the premises. The galleries have information about the history of the stepwell and its restoration project.[3]
References
[edit]- ^ Singh S, Bachan Jeet (3 December 2022). "Revived Bansilalpet stepwell in Secunderabad to open on Dec 5". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 28 December 2024.
- ^ a b "Bansilalpet stepwell on path of resurrection". The Hindu. 14 September 2021. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g Datta, Rangan (13 March 2023). "Hyderabad's Bansilalpet stepwell: Ravaged, reimagined, then revived". The Telegraph. My Kolkata. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
- ^ a b Sharma, Utpal; Parthasarathy, R.; Aparna, Dr (26 May 2023). Future is Urban: Livability, Resilience & Resource Conservation: Proceedings of the International Conference on FUTURE IS URBAN: Livability, Resilience and Resource Conservation (ICFU 2021), December 16–18, 2021. Taylor & Francis. p. 289. ISBN 978-1-000-90625-7.
- ^ "Hyderabad's Bansilalpet stepwell restoration wins UAE government award". The Indian Express. 6 December 2022. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
- ^ "Renovated Bansilalpet stepwell inaugurated amid fanfare". The Hindu. 5 December 2022. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 15 August 2023.