STEPWELLS OF GUJARAT

Besides mosques and tombs, the other most notable monuments consist of tanks and step-wells (vavs). A must on Ahmedabad visitor's itinerary is the hydraulic monuments of Ahmedabad. Foremost is the Adalaj Step-well built in 1499 AD by Ruda Rani, wife of Raja Virsing, a Vaghela Rajput. It has an entrance from three sides with open colonnades of increasing height and complexity rise over the staircase landings. Before the main well is reached, there is open octagonal surrounded by galleries on four levels with circular well at the bottom. The decoration of the columns, curved brackets and lintels is highly elaborate with repeated friezes and ornamentation of animal motifs and deities.

Two other step-wells of Ahmedabad are Mata Bhavani's step-well and Bai Hari's step-well at Asarva. The former belongs to Solanki period and the later is of Islamic period, built by "illustrious and pious lady Shri Harira, the chief advisor of king Mahmud Begda. "Like step-wells the tanks (reservoirs) also form an integral part of city's architecture. The great tank at kankaria, Hauj-e-Qutb, was constructed by Sultan Qutb-ud-din in 1451 AD is a vast polygon with thirty-four sides. Stone steps with landings line the periphery. Its inlet sluice is the finest example of its kind with triple circular openings and buttresses on two ends similar to mosque minars of mid-fifteenth century. In the centre of the tank is an island with garden known as Nagina Wadi. There is a zoo, aquarium and Chidren's Park (Bal Vatika) nearby. Mention must also be made of the Dutch Tombs on the left bank of the tank, some of which are beautified, with domes and pillars. Dated to be of seventeenth century, notable is the tomb of Aldworth who established the English Company's factory at Ahmedabad and died in 1615 AD.

Of the Royal Residences, the finest is Shahi-Bagh Palace, built in 1622 AD by Shah Jahan, then Viceroy of Ahmedabad. It was essentially a relief work for famine stricken populace. Now converted into Sardar Memorial, the saloon is spacious and lofty, and the substructures form a cool retreat under the saloon. The palace is also associated with Shri Ravindranath Tagore who had stayed here for some time. It now houses the pictures/portraits and some personal effects of Sardar Vallbhbhai Patel, the Iron Man of India. As the greatest public project of modern time, Narmada Project is christened Sardar Sarovar Project, the space is also allotted to the models and description of this project depicting the progress of this gigantic project considered to be the lifeline of Gujarat.