Champa Baoli
22.366700,75.383300
Description
A man-made stepwell, which contains »vast undergrounds« (BROSSET 1962c: 623 text) and features »numerous ramifications« (BROSSET 1962c: 623 table) at various levels, complete with cool wells and bathrooms (note 1). Compare –>Ujala Baoli. Also reported from Mandu is –>Gagan Gufa and the »caves« (or so) at –>Jahangirpur Gate, –>Saat Kothadi, and –>Surajpura along with certain –>Mandu Caves and –>Mandu Undergrounds. ETYMOLOGY: Champa Baoli »… so named because its waters smelled like the Champak flower [note 2]. There are cool underground rooms or tykhanas [tahkhana] and bathroom which were obviously used as a retreat during the hot summer months« (indyahills.com/mp/mandu.html accessed 2008.03.18). SITUATION: At the town of Mandu (note 3), which lies at a distance 35 km along the road south of Dhar town (N22°36': E75°18'), north of the lake Muncha Talao and in the Royal Enclave west of the Jahaz Mahal and north-west of Hindola Mahal. DESCRIPTION 1961: BROSSET (1961: 426) just about mentions »… le Champa Baoli, un puits avec des retraits souterraines …« (a well with underground retreats). BROSSET (1962c: 623 table) noticed »subterranean retreats with numerous ramifications under the Champa Baoli, the old palace of the capital.« BROSSET (1962c: 623 text) adds: »The colony … in Mandu inhabits the vast undergrounds. These Hipposideros, more or less crowded, were hanging from the ceiling, or hooked themselves on the stones by their limbs in the deeper part of the cavity. A considerable quantity of guano lies on the ground.« DESCRIPTION 2001 (LONELY PLANET, North India 2001: 871): »To the west of the first two Royal Enclave structures is Champa Baodi, an interesting step-well on the north edge of the tank. Its subterranean levels featured cool wells and bathrooms and it was obviously a popular hot-weather retreat.« DESCRIPTION 2005 (LONELY PLANET, India 2005: 627): »Turkish Bath & Champa Baodi: North-west of Hindola Mahal is Champa Baodi (Baoli), an interesting step-well with subterranean cool rooms. Adjacent is a hammam with chambers equipped with channels supplying hot and cold water, and a steam sauna provided through hypocaust heating. Stars and octagons perforate the domed roof.« CULTURAL HISTORY - good bat superstitions: BROSSET (1962c: 623 text) had the impression »The chaukidars and villagers refuse to approach this enormous colony of big bats [Hipposideros lankadiva]. Superstitions are probably the reason of their fear which is a good thing for the tranquility of this very remarkable colony.« CAVE LIFE - bats (Chiroptera): BROSSET (1961: 426) observed Hipposideros lankadiva Kelaart 1850: »Au nombe de 5 à 6.000, ils occupaient le Champa Baoli, un puits avec des retraits souterraines, où se retirait autrefois le harem pendant les heures chaudes. La colonie comprenait deux groupes principaux et couvrait environ 200 m2 de plafond« (A number of 5,000 or 6,000 occupying the Champa Baoli, a well with underground retreats, to which they retire – just like the harem had done before – during the hot hours of the day. The colony is comprised of two main groups and covers about 200 square metres of ceiling). BROSSET (1962c: 623 text) adds: »These Hipposideros, more or less crowded, were hanging from the ceiling, or hooked themselves on the stones by their limbs in the deeper part of the cavity. A considerable quantity of guano lies on the ground.« BROSSET (1962c: 623 table) lists a colony of 5,000 or 7,000 H. lankadiva at Mandu in »subterranean retreats … under the Champa Baoli.« BROSSET (1962c: plate VII) gives a photograph showing »Colony of Hipposideros lankadiva at Mandu (1961).«
NOTE 1: »Champa Baoli« (BROSSET 1961: 426, 1962c: 623; LONELY PLANET, India 1993: 731; 1999: 842; 2001: 710) or »Champa Baodi« (LONELY PLANET, India 1997: 789; 2003: 727) and »Chamba Baodi (Baoli)« (LONELY PLANET, India 2005: 627). NOTE 2: Champak, »A tree with fragrant blossoms, Michelia champaca« (IMPERIAL GAZETTEER 1907-1909, 25: vi). NOTE 3: Mandu / Mandoo (*) or Mandogarh (IMPERIAL GAZETTEER 1907-1909, 17: 171), Mandow (HAMILTON 1828, 2: 204-205) at N22°22': E075°23' (nima.mil/geonames accessed 16.11.2003) or at N22°21': E075°26': 630 m (Everest 1830, IMPERIAL GAZETTEER 1907-1909, 17: 171) in Dhar district (Madhya Pradesh) is shown in the India Road Atlas (Eicher Goodearth 2006: 69 H3) at a travelling distance of 36 km along the road approximately south from Dhar town (N22°36': E075°18') and on the southern rim of the Vindhyan range north of the Narmada river. * Not to be confused with the other Mandu N23°48': E085°28' in Hazaribagh / Hazaribag district (Jharkhand) on AMS sheet NF45-01 Ranchi (1962 edition) and in the India Road Atlas (Eicher Goodearth 2006: 59 E4) about 25 km along the National Highway NH33 approximately south-east from Hazaribagh / Hazaribag (N23°59': E085°21') in the upper reaches of the Damodar valley.
Caves nearby
| Distance (km) | Name | Length (m) | Depth (m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | SAAT KOTHADI | ||
| 0.0 | MANDU CAVES (Caves of) | ||
| 0.0 | MANDU UNDERGROUNDS | ||
| 0.0 | UJJAIA BAOLI | ||
| 5.5 | GAGAN GUFA | ||
| 5.5 | JAHANGIRPUR GATE, Mandogarh (Cave at) | ||
| 5.5 | SURAJPURA (Cave at) | ||
| 46.0 | PATALPANI | ||
| 91.1 | KAJAL RANI CAVE |