દાદા હરિર વાવ

Dada Harir Stepwell

Useful Information

Location:	Hanumansingh Rd, Haripura, Asarwa, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 380016. (23.040705, 72.606032)
Open:	All year daily 9-17. [2024]
Fee:	free. [2024]
Classification:	Stepwell
Light:	n/a
Dimension:	A=72 m asl.
Guided tours:	self guided
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Dada Harir Stepwell, Hanumansingh Rd, Haripura, Asarwa, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 380016, Tel: +91-1800-203-.
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

1485	built by Bai Harir Sultani.

Description

દાદા હરિર વાવ (Hazrat Bai Harir Vav, Dada Harir Stepwell) was named after Bai Harir Sultani, locally known as Dhai Harir, who built it. Her name later corrupted into Dada Hari. She was the superintendent of the royal harem of Sultan Mahmud Begada or Mahmud Shah who reigned 25-MAY-1458 to 23-NOV-1511 and was the most famous Sultan of the Gujarat Sultanate. During the Middle Ages, the wells were the responsibility of the sultan's wives.

This is a stepwell of the type with one staircase. It is oriented east-west, with a length of 57 m, a width of 12 m and a depth of m. On the western end is a shaft for irrigation, then a shaft for drinking water, both going down from the surface to the water level. The second is surrounded by seven levels of typical sculpted architecture with numerous sculptures of elephants, gods, and sexual intercourse. It has an octogonal shape and five levels, each level provided with finely sculptured pillars and volute capitals. The niches have balustrades made of kumbha or geometric friezes. The same applies to the long staircase, the steps open to the sky, the landings closed with stone slabs. North and south of the main shaft are smaller shafts with a spiral staircase inside, which allow faster but less spectacular access to the drinking water.