SARASWATI BAWADI

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 18/05/2016

A man-made stepwell dedicated to Saraswati is situated at the level of the Amberkot at the base of Devagiri (Deogiri, Deoghir, Duwagir) hill at Daulatabad (compare: Daulatabad Undergrounds). SITUATION: DESHPANDE & SAWANT (2005: 17 location map) show an hexagonal »Saraswati Well« opposite the Jain temple just beyond the gate of the second outer wall of the fortified town.DESCRIPTION 1818: »Saraswati Bavadi … plentifully supplied with water« (DOWLUTABAD 1818: 342). DESCRIPTION 1992: »Passing through the Delhi Darwaza, to the left that is the south, partially hidden by a later day tomb, is a large stepwell locally known as 'Saraswati Well' or Saraswati Bawadi. It is a pre-Islamic structure« (MATHE & PATHI 1992: 20-21). DESCRIPTION 2005: »There are some wells in and around the fort. The wells having steps [are] called Bawadi. The wells and their steps are well-built in stones. Saraswati & Kacheri Bawadi are in the fort. Shakkar Bawadi and Kada Bawadi are near Amberkot. All the wells have water throughout the year« (DESHPANDE & SAWANT 2005: 6 with photograph).