7 Ancient Stepwells in Delhi That Once Helped Locals Survive Brutal Summers

Long before Delhi knew air conditioning and modern plumbing, it survived its ruthless summers with the ingenuity of baolis—stepwells carved into stone to provide water and respite. These subterranean structures weren’t merely utilitarian; they were architectural marvels, community gathering spaces, and lifelines during drought. While many lie hidden behind bustling roads and urban sprawl today, their stories continue to ripple through time. 

Here’s a look at Delhi’s most fascinating baolis and how they helped residents beat the heat—then and now.

1. Agrasen ki Baoli: A Tughlaq-Era Labyrinth Built to Breathe in Summer’s Fury

Tucked between Connaught Place’s colonial corridors, Agrasen ki Baoli is among Delhi’s most iconic yet enigmatic stepwells. Despite popular myths linking it to the legendary king Agrasen of the Mahabharata era, historical evidence suggests the current structure dates back to the 14th century, during the Tughlaq dynasty, and was later rebuilt by the Agrawal community in the 19th century.

With 108 steps leading 15 metres below ground, this stepwell was designed to trap cool air and provide water storage through the searing summer months. The deeper one descends, the cooler the environment—a natural air conditioning system centuries ahead of its time. Even today, visitors find respite from the city’s chaos in its symmetrical stone arches, eerie silence, and descending chill. Despite drying up, it continues to serve as a heritage haven during Delhi’s blistering heatwaves.

Where: Hailey Road, Hamdard Nagar, Vakil Lane, Mandi House

2. Rajon ki Baoli: A Mehrauli Stepwell Fit for Architects and the Scorching Sun

Located within Mehrauli Archaeological Park, Rajon ki Baoli was constructed in 1516 during the reign of Sikandar Lodi of the Delhi Sultanate. The name “Rajon” refers to masons—not kings—highlighting the community that once used it for daily rituals and washing.

This three-tiered stepwell, with ornate pillars and arched alcoves, doubles as both a water reservoir and a retreat from Delhi’s fierce summer sun. Its shaded galleries and cool corridors maintain a surprising chill even when the surrounding air scorches. The baoli reflects Indo-Islamic architectural finesse, cleverly designed to harvest rainwater and ensure year-round access. During the Lodi period, such stepwells were critical for survival in arid months, doubling as meeting spots and community centres.

Today, it remains one of Delhi’s best-preserved baolis, offering a cool oasis to locals, walkers, and heritage enthusiasts exploring Mehrauli’s quieter corners.

Where: Mehrauli Archeological Park, Mehrauli Village, Mehrauli

3. Gandhak ki Baoli: Sulphur Springs and Sultry Summers in Mehrauli’s Forgotten Layers

Also in the heart of Mehrauli, just a stone’s throw from the Qutub complex, lies Gandhak ki Baoli—named after the faint smell of sulphur that once rose from its waters. Commissioned by Sultan Iltutmish around 1230 CE during the Delhi Sultanate era, it remains one of the oldest surviving baolis in the city.

This five-tiered stepwell served not only as a water source but also as a therapeutic bath, thanks to its sulphur-rich waters believed to have healing properties. During scorching summers, it provided the perfect combination of relief and ritual. Designed with ventilation shafts and deep chambers, it regulated temperature naturally, offering sanctuary from the sun.

Though the water table has receded over centuries, its architectural layout still invites explorers to descend into its stone belly and feel the ancient wisdom of sustainable water management.

Where: Ward No 8, Mehrauli Village, Mehrauli

4. Feroz Shah Kotla Baoli: A Sultanate Sanctuary Beneath the Cricket Stadium’s Shadow

Hidden within the ruins of Feroz Shah Kotla Fort, just behind the modern-day stadium, lies a lesser-known gem—Feroz Shah Kotla Baoli, built in the 1350s by Sultan Feroz Shah Tughlaq. While most visit the site to marvel at the Ashokan pillar or whisper secrets to djinns, the baoli remains a silent witness to Delhi’s climatic past.

The circular well is connected to underground channels that once fed water into the fort complex. Though not grand in design like Agrasen or Rajon ki Baoli, its importance in surviving Delhi’s dry spells cannot be overstated. Its deep, cool chambers and the surrounding garden served as a retreat for the royal household during summer’s peak.

Even today, a dip in temperature greets anyone who ventures near its edge—proof that ancient Delhi knew how to stay cool without electricity.

Where: Balmiki Basti, Vikram Nagar

5. Red Fort Baoli: A Mughal Reservoir Tucked Beneath a Colonial Barrack’s Memory

Unseen by most Red Fort visitors, this baoli lies concealed behind thick brick walls, having once served Mughal emperors and later British soldiers. Constructed by Emperor Shah Jahan in the 17th century, the Red Fort Baoli is among the few Mughal-era stepwells in Delhi.

Its L-shaped design is unique, with Persian-style arches and inscriptions that hint at its original elegance. During the British Raj, it was co-opted into colonial barracks, which unfortunately led to some damage. Nevertheless, it retained its function as a water reservoir and cooling refuge.

While it is not open to general public visits today, conservation efforts have revealed the baoli’s integral role in regulating temperature within the sprawling fort. The Mughal understanding of how to blend aesthetics with climate-conscious architecture shines through, making it a quiet but vital reminder of how history tackled heatwaves.

Where: Netaji Subhash Marg, Chandni Chowk

6. Baoli at Purana Qila: Stepwell Secrets Beneath the Old Fort’s Royal Past

Within the compound of Purana Qila, built by Humayun and Sher Shah Suri in the 16th century, lies a lesser-known baoli that whispers of forgotten dynasties and ancient summers. While the fort boasts grand gates and Mughal embellishments, the stepwell remains understated yet essential.

Its long, narrow corridor and well-crafted stone stairs descend into a space that once stored rainwater, ensuring supply even during Delhi’s driest months. Unlike ornamental fountains popular in Mughal gardens, this baoli was functional and vital. Soldiers, servants, and possibly the royal family used it for both utility and escape from the baking sun.

Although less frequented than other baolis, its structure demonstrates the Mughal commitment to sustainable architecture and climate adaptation—a philosophy we could learn from today.

Where: Pragati Maidan

7. Baoli at Hindu Rao Hospital: A Colonial-Era Echo of Ancient Water Wisdom

Atop Delhi Ridge near the chaotic Kamla Nehru Ridge area lies a stepwell few know exists—the baoli within the Hindu Rao Hospital complex. Believed to date back to the 14th or 15th century, this baoli was absorbed into the British-era bungalow-turned-hospital that sits on the grounds today.

Likely built by Feroz Shah Tughlaq or his successors, the baoli exemplified how hilltop locations still relied on smart water harvesting. The baoli collected rain and groundwater, providing a dependable water source for residents long before piped systems existed. Cool and shaded, it helped ease heatstroke risks in a pre-industrial world.

Now languishing in disrepair, this baoli calls for restoration—not just for heritage, but to remind Delhi of its long relationship with climate-conscious urban planning.

Where: West Of Hindu Rao, Civil Lines, Near Pir Ghaib, Kamla Nehru Ridge

Delhi’s baolis were more than just architectural oddities—they were brilliant, functional responses to the city’s parching summers. With stone geometry that traps cool air, rainwater harvesting that stretches into the dry season, and communal spaces carved into earth and time, these stepwells remain relevant even today. As climate change sharpens India’s heatwaves, revisiting such ancestral wisdom isn’t just nostalgic—it’s necessary.