Exploring Sher Khan Baoli built in 1542

I have visited this Baoli many times, but I was never aware that these structures are very much historical and of great significance.

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It was 16th February 2025 when I visited this Stepped Well (In local language known as Baoli). I think the term stepped well really loses the charm of the real term Baoli. Actually, Baoli is more than just a well. It is form of architecture and there are many structures that are attached to this well.

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There used to be Persian calligraphy that used to hang on the site but later on it was moved to Lahore museum for safe keeping in 1971. That Persian calligraphy is demonstrated with translation and along with original text.

This plague is translated into English for the ease of readers. I found this English translation from Asian Historical Architecture.

In the reign of Emperor Akbar, the successful king, from the blessed genealogy.
on the precept of Syed Ghaznavi the prestigious and distinguished Khan.
Sher Khan the embodiment of generosity, from whose open hands the sky got its glow.
From his philanthropy, constructed a step-well, from which the Chashma-e-Aftab (Spring of the Sun) also stood envious.
Seeing the bucket of this step-well, the bucket of the sky (the Sun) is embarrassed and facing its pulley, the sky, is distressed.
If the Mah-e-Nakhshab (Legendary moon of Persia which rises from a well called Nakhshab) sees this step-well in the night, due to hesitation, would not try to come out of its well.
If wisdom would discover its Tareekh, then say in response ”Beh az Cha-i-Nakhshab" (Better than Nakhshab).

(Tareekh refers to a date using Abjad numerals, which corresponds to the year 976 A.H., or 1564 in the Gregorian calendar)".

Let's Enter into the Baoli with heightened gateway whose beauty is fading away.

Architecture Of Stepped Well

The architecture of step well is quite similar to other monuments from Mughal emperor Akbar. Similar to all other monuments this monumental well is also built with red thin bricks in a very geometrical and managed way.

There is one Central domed chamber that is surrounded by eight smaller adjacent rooms. These eight rooms are identical to Mughal architecture and this special type of Mughal architecture is known as "Hasht Bihisht(Eight paradises)".

Here we reached into the grounded well. We covered all the steps and witnessed the beauty of architecture and here's the water well.

Now, there is just sun rays that are finding home inside this well but no water and no birds, humans, animals who used to come to quench thirst.

It is now barren and bared. Only few tourists like us, who are aware come here to see the old and historical monumental structure.

For locals, it is merely a red brick structure.
Believe me, when I visited it in past, it was merely trash but now it is changed and it's thanks to local government and to those humans who know the worth of heritage.

As I mentioned earlier, it is much more than merely a stepped well. Walk with me and explore with me then I will unfold each and every layer of this monumental well.
We went upstairs and peaked into the well. We also gazed at the domed chamber and looked down at steps that used to lead people towards well.

More than just a well? Right?

Yes, Sher Khan also built a caravanserai like structures over the stairs to the well. CaranvanSerai structures means where travelers can come and rest and they can buy food items or other necessary things of life.
On the top of the well, these structures are still standing but no traveler is coming.

Perhaps this particular tree is also waiting for travelers to come, stay and then resume their journey.

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What do you think? Travelers will come? Water will spring in this Stepped Well or not?

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See you in comment section.

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