A weathered stone stepwell descending in geometric tiers, warm ochre and sandstone tones, soft afternoon light casting long shadows across the steps

About Indian Stepwells

Documenting India's ancient water architecture, one stepwell at a time

Our Mission

Stepwells were built for water conservation and can be reached through descending series of steps, constructed in varied architectural designs across the subcontinent. Known by many names — Bawdi, Baoli, Baori, Kund, Jhalra, Vav, Barav, Vihir, and more — these structures are a testament to India's ingenuity in harvesting and preserving water.

We are on a journey of stepwell explorations across India, driven by a passion to spread awareness about these remarkable heritage sites and to inculcate interest amongst the youth about our shared architectural past. Every photograph on this site is captured by our team, and all copyrights are reserved.

A symmetrical stepwell interior with colonnaded galleries receding into shadow, muted earth tones and cool grey stone
Architectural Documentation
An aerial view of a stepwell revealing its intricate geometric layout, sandy beige and deep brown against surrounding terrain
Drone Photography
A hand-drawn architectural sketch of a stepwell cross-section on cream paper, graphite lines capturing the stepped descent
Field Sketches

What We Do

Our work spans architectural documentation, original photography, drone shots, and hand-drawn sketches that capture the structural beauty and historical significance of stepwells. We collaborate with architectural colleges for documentation projects and deliver presentations in colleges and organizations to bring stepwell heritage into academic and public discourse.

The Maharashtra Stepwells campaign forms a major focus of our current efforts, encompassing exhibitions, preservation advocacy, and news coverage that highlights the urgent need to protect these fading monuments.

Have information about a stepwell in your area that is not yet mapped?

We would love to hear from you. Our team will map it and give you credit for your contribution.

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Explore the Maharashtra Campaign

Dive deeper into our focused documentation work across Maharashtra — exhibitions, college collaborations, drone surveys, and preservation efforts.

View Maharashtra Campaign