Navghan Kuvo

Stepwell in Junagadh, India

21°31′26″N 70°28′09″E / 21.5238°N 70.4692°E / 21.5238; 70.4692Construction started2nd-7th centuryCompleted11th-12th centuryDesign and constructionArchitect(s)LocalDesignationsASI State Protected Monument No. S-GJ-116

Navghan Kuvo is a stepwell in Uparkot Fort, Junagadh, Gujarat, India.^[1]

History

Navghan Kuvo is named after the Chudasama king Ra Navaghana. The forecourt to reach the well was probably built during his reign in 11th century. It is believed to have been completed by his son Khengara.^[1]

The well is considered older than the forecourt. It is an oldest example of the stepwell according to some scholars. It is near the Uparkot Caves. The well might have been built in Kshatrapa period (2nd-4th century) or in Maitraka period (6th-7th century).^[1]

It is a state protected monument (S-GJ-116).

Architecture

A small staircase entered through an arched doorway leads to the forecourt. The well is located at the far end of the forecourt. The water in the well is reached by a circular staircase which is cut in the soft rock behind thin stone wall of the shaft of well. The flight of the steps, first straight and then transverse, turns right around the shaft. The array of square holes in the stone wall of the shaft illuminate and cool the inside.^[1]^[2]^[3]

Gallery

Entrance of the stepwell
Forecourt
Forecourt
Forecourt from steps
Soft rock hewn to make niches for birds
Information board

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Jutta Jain-Neubauer (1981). The Stepwells of Gujarat: In Art-historical Perspective. Abhinav Publications. pp. 22, 27. ISBN 978-0-391-02284-3.
^ Anjali H. Desai (2007). India Guide Gujarat. India Guide Publications. p. 254. ISBN 978-0-9789517-0-2.
^ Morna Livingston; Milo Beach (April 2002). Steps to Water: The Ancient Stepwells of India. Princeton Architectural Press. p. 21. ISBN 978-1-56898-324-0.