The Forgotten Stepwells of Hyderabad: Unearthing the City’s Ancient Water Wonders

Hyderabad, the City of Pearls, has long been a melting pot of cultures, architecture, and historical significance. Established in 1591 by Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah of the Qutb Shahi dynasty, Hyderabad was built along the banks of the Musi River. The city flourished as a centre of trade, culture, and architecture, blending Persian, Mughal, and indigenous Deccan influences.

For centuries, Hyderabad thrived under the Qutb Shahis, followed by the Mughals and the Asaf Jahis (Nizams). The city’s architectural marvels, including the Charminar, Golconda Fort, and Chowmohalla Palace, stand as testaments to its glorious past. However, beneath the grandeur of palaces and forts, an often-overlooked element of Hyderabad’s architectural heritage remains—the stepwells.

The Importance of Stepwells: Lifelines of the Past

Stepwells, known as baolis or vavs, are ancient water conservation structures that date back to at least 200 CE. These subterranean wells were designed to store rainwater and groundwater, ensuring a reliable water supply in arid and semi-arid regions. Built with elaborate staircases leading down to the water, stepwells not only served practical purposes but also functioned as social, religious, and cultural hubs.

The concept of stepwells originated in the Indian subcontinent, with some of the earliest examples found in Gujarat and Rajasthan. These structures were more than mere water reservoirs; they were intricately designed with carvings, corridors, and pavilions, often doubling as temples, resting places for travellers, and venues for community gatherings.

In Deccan regions like Telangana, where long summers and erratic rainfall patterns made water conservation crucial, stepwells played a vital role in sustaining settlements.

Hyderabad’s Stepwells: A Neglected Legacy

Despite their historical importance, Hyderabad’s stepwells have largely been forgotten, overshadowed by modern water infrastructure such as borewells, reservoirs, and piped water supplies. The city once had numerous stepwells, built during the Qutb Shahi and Nizam eras, but urbanisation, neglect, and encroachments have led to their gradual disappearance.

The Hyderabad Design Forum (HDF) has identified 110 stepwells across Telangana, including several in Hyderabad and Secunderabad, many of which are in dire need of restoration. Unlike Rajasthan and Gujarat, where stepwells have been restored and repurposed for tourism, Hyderabad’s stepwells remain buried under layers of history, debris, and neglect.

The transition to modern water systems, such as borewells and piped supplies, diminished the reliance on traditional structures like stepwells, leading to their obsolescence. As the city expanded, many stepwells were encroached upon or repurposed as dumping grounds, further contributing to their decline. Unfortunately, Hyderabad’s stepwells have not received attention as a historic site like the ones in states like Rajasthan and Gujarat, resulting in a lack of awareness and documentation. This neglect, coupled with structural damage from years of disuse, has left many of these architectural marvels partially buried and forgotten.

Notable examples include the Bansilalpet Stepwell, also known as Naganna Kunta, which was buried under decades of garbage and neglect before its recent restoration. The Goshala Baoli, located near the Goshala in Upperpally, was built by the Nizams but has fallen into disrepair. Similarly, the Dargah Baoli near Golconda Fort remains largely unknown to the public, and the Shaikpet Baoli, once part of a larger network of water systems, is now encroached upon and in need of conservation.

Despite these challenges, efforts are underway to restore and preserve these historic structures, recognising their cultural and historical significance to Hyderabad’s heritage. 

Bridging Heritage and Sustainability

Hyderabad’s stepwells, once integral to the city’s water management and social fabric, have suffered neglect due to modernisation and urban expansion. The advent of borewells and piped water systems rendered these traditional structures obsolete, leading to their abandonment and, in many cases, misuse as dumping grounds. Unlike the celebrated stepwells of Rajasthan and Gujarat, which have been actively preserved and promoted as heritage sites, Hyderabad’s stepwells have not received similar attention, resulting in a lack of awareness and documentation. This neglect, coupled with structural deterioration over time, has left many of these architectural marvels in a state of disrepair.

Despite these challenges, efforts are underway to restore and preserve these historic structures, recognising their cultural and historical significance to Hyderabad’s heritage. By reviving these stepwells, Hyderabad not only honors its rich cultural legacy but also addresses contemporary water management challenges, paving the way for a sustainable future.