The tales of Delhi’s rich historic heritage can be heard way-way back. The capital holds a long history of Baolis or water bodies, which still are an integral part of Delhi’s rich historic heritage. Within a span of time, the heritages of Delhi, especially Baolis, have become engulfed in rapid urbanisation and has lost its sheen. However, in a recent initiative, the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage, in collaboration with Google, has digitised all the seven Baolis surrounding the vicinity.
The project, ‘Baolis of Delhi-stepping into step walls’, offers a virtual tour of these water bodies. It provides specially curated photographs for the online visitors, which will further help them to discover interactive experiences. All the seven Baolis, with a detailed insight into their structure, are covered. The ultra-high pictures capture bizarre details of the architecture, historical significance and other information, which is one of the speciality of this initiative.
Read more: Delhi HC forms committee to work on regularisation of unauthorised colonies
The seven digitised Baolis include Gandhak Ki Baoli in Mehrauli, the oldest water reservoir in Delhi, Agrasen Ki Baoli in Lutyen’s Delhi, the Baoli at Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah and Rajaon Ki Baoli situated in Mehrauli Archaeological Park. The project also provides an opportunity to visit reservoirs that no longer have public access. These include the Baoli at Feroz Shah Kotla which became off limits for visitors have few incidents of people falling into the deep well, the Hindu Rao Baoli ahead of Pir Ghaib which has been fenced but the structure can still be seen from above and the Baoli at Purana Qila.
The photographs of the reservoirs are available on the website of Google Art and Culture (GAC) and also on the mobile applications.
Programme Manager, Simon Rein, said, “Delhi holds a unique reputation with the sheer wealth of heritage and iconic historical monuments, and it has been our privilege to work with partners like INTACH, Archaeological Survey of India etc. Through this endeavour, we aim to make India’s rich heritage and culture including the century-old Baolis more accessible to people at home and abroad”.
