Stepwells as Climate Change Adaptation Strategy in Early Medieval India

Vipul Singh

• Doing Public History?January 8, 2026
  Public history brings the past into everyday life. It shows how history is made and understood beyond classrooms and archives, in cafe, on streets, in monuments, through YouTube podcast, through… Continue Reading →
• Faculty Guidelines HandbookOctober 14, 2025

Stepwells as Climate Change Adaptation Strategy in Early Medieval India

Vipul Singh

Abstract:

Stepwells are early medieval, multi-tiered water storage structures built to conserve rainwater in the arid regions of Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Delhi, functioning as both reservoirs and cool community spaces. Their architectural brilliance showcases early ingenuity in climate adaptation and sustainable water management.

Baolis, commonly referred to as stepwells, emerged during the early medieval period as a pioneering adaptation to climate change challenges, particularly those related to water scarcity and temperature regulation. These structures, prevalent in regions such as Gujarat and Rajasthan, multifaceted in their functions, embody contemporary strategies for climate change adaptation and mitigation.

Baolis were meticulously designed to harness climate-sensitive elements. They served as rainwater collection and storage systems, ensuring a reliable water source in arid and semi-arid environments. During periods of drought, they acted as vital reservoirs, bolstering communities’ resilience against water shortages and seasonal fluctuations in water availability.

The architectural design of baolis facilitated the infiltration of water into the ground, replenishing local aquifers. This process contributed to the maintenance of groundwater levels, which is paramount in regions with limited rainfall. Consequently, baolis represented an early initiative in groundwater management. Moreover, the architectural design of baolis created cooler microclimates surrounding them. Descending into the stepwell provided respite from the scorching temperatures, while the evaporation of stored water contributed to the cooling of the surrounding area—an ingenious form of passive cooling. Baolis were frequently constructed as communal gathering spaces, fostering social and religious interactions and bolstering community resilience during challenging times, such as droughts.

In essence, baolis exemplify how early societies harnessed architectural innovation to adapt to their environment. They serve as a precursor to contemporary sustainable infrastructure and demonstrate the enduring relevance of traditional knowledge in inspiring modern climate adaptation strategies.

Baolis, or stepwells, in medieval India served multifaceted purposes beyond their functional role as water storage solutions. They held profound spiritual and religious significance, deeply intertwined with cultural beliefs, practical utility, and the symbolic importance of water.

In Indian spiritual beliefs, water has long been revered as a purifying and sacred element. Rivers, wells, and other water bodies are often associated with deities or spiritual power. Baolis, as sources of water, naturally became focal points for rituals, offerings, and prayers, with numerous instances of consecration to specific gods or goddesses.

Similar to rivers of north and eastern India, baolis in western India were utilized for ritual purification. Individuals would descend into the baoli to take a bath before participating in religious ceremonies, embodying the cleansing rituals performed in rivers. This practice facilitated the establishment of baolis as pivotal points for pilgrimage and religious gatherings, particularly in arid regions where rivers were less accessible.

Many baolis were constructed or sponsored by affluent patrons or rulers, who often dedicated them to a deity. These dedications, manifesting in carvings and inscriptions depicting gods, goddesses, and sacred motifs, reinforced the notion of stepwells as religious spaces. The belief was that such dedications would bestow blessings upon the community.

Baolis frequently served as community hubs, where individuals gathered not only for water collection but also for religious festivals and prayers. Given their spacious and cool environments, baolis accommodated large gatherings and hosted festivals such as Holi or local deity worship ceremonies, fulfilling both a spiritual and social function.

People held the belief that maintaining and respecting these sacred spaces would confer divine protection upon their communities. In essence, this belief integrated daily water needs with religious obligations and reverence, creating a profound connection between the physical and spiritual aspects of baolis.

By integrating religious functions into the lives of baolis, medieval societies preserved these structures as sacred spaces, fostering a profound communal connection to water resources, spiritual well-being, and environmental stewardship.

Chand Baoli

Chand Baoli, situated in Abhaneri near Dausa in Rajasthan, stands as one of India’s most renowned and elaborate stepwells, embodying both the practical and spiritual significance of baolis within medieval society. Constructed during the 8th-9th centuries by King Chanda of the Chauhan dynasty, Chand Baoli serves as a paradigmatic example of how stepwells became integral to the daily lives of individuals, particularly in arid regions, and imbued with religious reverence.

Rajasthan’s arid climate, characterized by extreme heat and infrequent rainfall, necessitated the development of water storage and conservation measures. Chand Baoli, with its 3,500 symmetrical steps descending 13 stories, was designed to capture and store rainwater, ensuring a reliable supply of water even during periods of drought. The deep structure created a naturally cooling environment, providing respite from the region’s intense heat. The lower levels maintained a consistent and cooler temperature, rendering Chand Baoli not only a vital resource for water but also a passive cooling mechanism, an innovative climate adaptation strategy that predated its formal recognition.

Beyond its utilitarian purpose, Chand Baoli held a profound spiritual significance. Adjacent to the baoli stands the Harshat Mata temple, dedicated to the goddess of joy and happiness. This proximity underscores the profound connection between water and spirituality, with the baoli serving as a source of life-sustaining water and a sacred site revered for divine blessings. The water collected within the baoli was considered imbued with sanctity, and the act of descending into the stepwell was perceived as a form of ritual purification, symbolizing a journey into the spiritual realm and emerging cleansed.

As a prominent communal structure, Chand Baoli was naturally suited for social and religious gatherings. The stepwell’s architecture, with its spacious platforms and cool spaces, facilitated its function as a gathering place where individuals celebrated religious festivals, conducted rituals, and exchanged news. Festivals and ceremonies dedicated to Harshat Mata were likely celebrated here, further integrating Chand Baoli into the spiritual and social fabric of the community. The stepwell thus played a role akin to that of a temple courtyard, reinforcing communal and religious identities.

Preserving a structure like Chand Baoli was perceived as both a practical and spiritual obligation. The inhabitants of Dausa would have regarded the conservation of the baoli as essential not only for their physical well-being but also for maintaining favor with the divine. This belief in the baoli’s sanctity likely inspired greater community investment in its upkeep, symbolizing a reciprocal relationship between individuals, nature, and the divine.

Agrasen ki Baoli

Agrasen ki Baoli, like numerous other traditional stepwells, was constructed as a response to the climate conditions and water scarcity challenges prevalent in Delhi during the early medieval period. It also served as both practical and resilient solutions to manage water needs, particularly in semi-arid and arid regions where seasonal monsoons were the primary source of water.

Given the reliance on seasonal rains, Agrasen ki Baoli was designed to capture and store rainwater during the monsoon season, creating a reserve for the dry months. Its depth and layered structure enabled it to hold a substantial amount of water, ensuring the community’s sustenance throughout the year.

Stepwells like Agrasen ki Baoli naturally facilitated groundwater recharge. The stored water would gradually seep through the well’s walls, percolating into the ground and replenishing the aquifer, thereby maintaining groundwater levels and ensuring water availability even during periods of drought.

The deep, tiered structure of the baoli was ingeniously designed to keep water cool and protected from evaporation under Delhi’s arid climate. The temperature within the stepwell was often significantly lower than outside, providing a refuge during intense heatwaves.

Beyond its role as a water reservoir, the baoli offered a shaded and cool space where individuals could gather, rest, and socialize during the scorching summers.

Agrasen ki Baoli was constructed using locally sourced stones, which are highly durable and capable of withstanding Delhi’s arid climate. The materials utilized were chosen to withstand erosion, ensuring the baoli’s resilience over centuries.

The stepwell’s unique layered structure, with steps leading down to the water level, facilitated easy access as the water level fluctuated. This adaptive feature made it usable year-round, regardless of water availability or scarcity.

During heavy rainfall, the baoli would fill up, establishing a sustainable cycle where water could be stored and drawn upon gradually. The design ensured efficient rainwater harvesting, maximizing the capture of a scarce resource in a hot and arid climate.

By capturing excess monsoon rains, stepwells like Agrasen ki Baoli also contributed to reducing runoff and preventing local flooding, thereby fostering a more stable and self-sustaining urban environment.

Agrasen ki Baoli serves as a testament to how early communities adapted to climate challenges with limited technological resources. Its design incorporated sustainable water management practices that modern urban spaces can draw inspiration from, particularly as climate change exacerbates water scarcity and extreme weather patterns worldwide.

Conclusion

Stepwells in early medieval India thus exemplify the harmonious fusion of utility and spirituality, transcending their architectural significance to become enduring symbols of communal resilience, environmental wisdom, and cultural heritage.

• • •