m̌ ḫ's photos with the keyword: baoli

A lively glimpse of Delhi street life, with people commuting by rickshaw and on foot in the busy city centre. Despite the limitations of a less-than-ideal camera and a few technical imperfections, the image captures the authentic atmosphere of the street and the everyday rhythm of the city.

A closer look at Ugrasen-ki Baoli in the heart of New Delhi, where repeating arches, worn stone, and soft light shape a quiet study in geometry and depth. This historic stepwell, rebuilt during the Delhi Sultanate era and traditionally linked to the legendary king Agrasen, once served as a vital water reservoir and a refuge from the summer heat. Today it stands as a protected monument surrounded by modern office blocks, a fragment of old Delhi’s architecture still holding its own in the contemporary city. The stepwells (locally known as baolis) like this worked by capturing and storing rainwater and groundwater in a deep, stepped tank, so that people could reach the water level as it rose and fell with the seasons. The descending flights of steps allowed access even in dry months, turning the entire structure into a vertical gauge of scarcity and abundance. Architecturally, the long corridors, side chambers, and shaded landings created cooler microclimates, offering a place to rest, meet, and escape the sun while collecting water. The thick masonry and partially subterranean design helped regulate temperature, making the baoli as much a social and cultural space as a piece of hydraulic infrastructure.

I took this photo during my return to Delhi after five years — a city that always feels both familiar and new. One of my first stops was Agrasen ki Baoli (also transcribed as Ugrasen), the ancient stepwell that had been among the very first sites I explored when I first came to India. So much has changed since then: its quiet, almost hidden charm has given way to curious crowds and photographers drawn by its fame. I had to see it again, especially for the reopening. Despite the popularity, this baoli remains a remarkable place — still echoing with history, geometry, and stories that linger in its stone steps. Revisiting it felt like closing a circle, reconnecting with the beginnings of my photographic journey in India .