Shahi Baoli, Machchhi Bhavan, Hussainabad Lucknow

Shahi Bauli (Royal Stepwell) Lucknow

History of Shahi Baoli Or Bauli, A Stepwell in Machchhi Bhavan

Shahi (Royal) Baoli Stepwell is an ancient water reservoir constructed between 1784 and 1794 under the reign of Nawab Asif-ud-Daula. It was built adjacent to Bara Imambara as a means to provide food and water to common people of Awadh during the severe famine. Shahi Baoli was also used as a Royal Guest House on many occasions when Warren Hastings, the Governor General of East India Company, stayed here.

One of the famous stories linked with this historical structure is that the treasurer of Nawab, who had the key of the treasure and map to where treasure was hidden, committed suicide so as to stay loyal to his master and not give any clues of treasure to greedy British army. It is said that the ghost of the treasurer still haunts the place.
 

Architectural style of Shahi Baoli Stepwell

The Indo-Islamic architectural design of this ancient stepwell was drafted by Kifayat-ullah who was renowned for his skillful architects. The entrance to Shahi Bauli is through a double arched gateway besides which a flight of stairs leads to the stepwell. Surrounding the stepwell is a multistoried structure comprising a number of open-arched windows and inter-connected galleries. The material used to build this strong and beautiful monument is local Lakhori bricks and local plastering material.

The unique feature of Shahi Bauli Stepwell is the alignment of one window of the building and entrance pathway which lets the visitors to experience a secret view. The visitors can see their colorful shadows standing at the entrance of the building on the water of the well. Adding to it, it is said that the water channels of this stepwell are linked to River Gomti which is now one and a half kilometer away from this place.
 

Timings and Entry Fees for Shahi Baoli Stepwell

Shahi Bauli Stepwell is open to visitors all weekdays and weekends between 10 am to 6 pm, and the entry fees is INR 20.

Location of Shahi Baoli

Google Map link to Shahi Baoli Machchhi Bhavan, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226003, India