An excavation team from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has recently uncovered an old stepwell in the Chandausi area of Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal district.
This discovery follows the reopening of a Shiv-Hanuman temple in the district after 46 years of closure. The unearthing of the stepwell, known locally as a ‘baoli,’ is a significant archaeological find, adding to the rich history of the region.
Sambhal’s District Magistrate, Rajendra Pensiya, confirmed on Sunday that the excavation revealed a baoli spanning an area of approximately 400 square meters.
The structure, which consists of around four chambers, is noted for its marble floors on the second and third levels, with the upper floors constructed from bricks. The baoli is believed to have been built during the reign of the grandfather of Bilari’s king, suggesting its historical importance.
District Magistrate Pensiya provided further details to reporters at the excavation site. He explained that the baoli was recorded in historical records under the name Ah-Baoli Talab. The excavation process began following a public meeting held on Saturday, which drew attention to the site.
The excavation team is continuing its work, and the authorities have pledged to take further action to uncover the full structure, which is currently covered by mud.
At present, only around 210 square meters of the baoli are visible, with the rest still hidden beneath the soil. To aid the excavation, the local Nagar Palika team has been removing the topsoil, and efforts will soon be made to address encroachments on the site.
The District Magistrate has estimated that the structure could be more than 150 years old, further underlining its historical significance.
In response to the discovery, Krishna Kumar Sonkar, the Executive Officer of the Municipal Corporation, explained that they had initiated the excavation work immediately upon learning about the potential existence of the baoli underground.
As the work progresses, the team hopes to uncover more details about the structure. Sonkar assured that every effort would be made to restore and preserve the baoli for future generations.
This discovery is part of a broader effort to explore the historical and cultural heritage of Sambhal. In addition to the stepwell, the ASI team also conducted a survey at the Kalki Vishnu temple in the area, which was followed by an inspection of five shrines (‘teerths’) and 19 wells in Sambhal.
District Magistrate Pensiya mentioned that the ASI’s survey, which lasted between eight to ten hours, covered a total of approximately 24 sites in the region. He added that the ASI would be submitting a report on their findings.
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