Ra Khengar Vav
Map
General information
TypeStepwell
Architectural styleIndian architecture
LocationKoyliphatak near Vanthali, Junagadh district, Gujarat
CountryIndia
Coordinates21°29′30″N 70°23′00″E / 21.4917454°N 70.3833079°E / 21.4917454; 70.3833079
Construction startedc. 1230 CE
Completedc. 1240 CE
Design and construction
Architect(s)Local
Main contractorTejapala
DesignationsASI State Protected Monument No. S-GJ-170

Ra Khengar Vav or Ra Khengar stepwell is a 13th-century stepwell located near Koyliphatak village between Vanthali and Junagadh in Gujarat, India.[1]

History

Tejapala, a minister in Vaghela court who is known along with his brother Vastupala, constructed the stepwell for the benefit of travellers. It is built in the first half of the 13th century CE, probably between 1230 and 1240. The construction of the stepwell between Tejalapura or Jirnadurga (modern Junagadh) and Vamanasthali (modern Vanthali) is mentioned in the Jinaharsha's Vastupala-Charita (dated Vikram Samvat 1497 or 1441 CE), a biography of Vastupala. So it is identified with Ra Khengar stepwell by Madhusudan Dhaky and dated between 1230 and 1240. The dating is also supported by the stylistic evidences.[2][3] The construction is mistakenly attributed to Chudasama ruler Khengara, who reigned from about 1098 to 1125 CE.[4][5]

It is a State Protected Monument (S-GJ-170) and is under management by the Agriculture Department of the Government of Gujarat.

Architecture

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The stepwell is built in north-south direction with steps in the north and shaft well in the south. The pillars and the walls of the stepwell is ornamented with carvings. There are balconies on the both sides at the first landing by the steps. The pavilion with tiled roof on the south end is later addition of 19th century during the reign of Babi dynasty in Junagadh.[1][6] There is a circumambulatory passage around the well shaft.[3][7]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Vanthali: The vav as a highway watering hole - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 2019-01-12.
  2. ^ Monica Juneja (2001). Architecture in Medieval India: Forms, Contexts, Histories. Permanent Black. p. 503. ISBN 978-81-7824-010-7.
  3. ^ a b Jain-Neubauer, Jutta (1981). The Stepwells of Gujarat: In Art-historical Perspective. Abhinav Publications. pp. 22, 64–66, 118. ISBN 978-0-391-02284-3.
  4. ^ India, Bombay (1884). Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency. Government Central Press. p. 444. ISBN 134049129X.
  5. ^ Shambhuprasad Harprasad, Desai (1968). Saurāshtr̥ano itihāsa. Soraṭha Śikshaṇa ane Saṃskr̥ti Saṅgha.
  6. ^ Anjali H. Desai (2007). India Guide Gujarat. India Guide Publications. pp. 261–262. ISBN 978-0-9789517-0-2.
  7. ^ Morna Livingston; Milo Beach (April 2002). Steps to Water: The Ancient Stepwells of India. Princeton Architectural Press. pp. 78–79. ISBN 978-1-56898-324-0.
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