Conservation & Landscape Restoration Baoli through the ages · An RCC raft footing of 75 cubic meters was laid on the existing rock-bed. In order to allow water flow into the Baoli

Qutb ShahiHeritage Park

Conservation & Landscape Restoration

The Badi Baoli is one amongst six large water reservoirs within the Qutb Shahi Heritage Park. These were no doubt built by the Qutb Shahi rulers to store water for irrigating the orchards planted at the tombs. In the 19th century, this ‘tank’ was provided with a formal structure including the arcade and in the proicess blocked natural water drainage into the structure. Under the immense pressure exerted by collected rainwater, the 19th century

masonry collapsed in the summer of 2013.

Baoli through the ages

c. 1860

Same view with 19th century arcade

In the 19th century, the arcade was built.

Aga Khan Trust for Culture

department of archaeology & museum, govt. of Telangana

Conservation Works Supported by:

Tata TrustsPhoto credit: Captain Allan Newton Scott; ‘Tombs of the Ancient Kings of Golconda’ from Sketches in India taken at Hyderabad and Secunderabad, in the Madras PresidencySource: Alkazi Foundation

c. 1860

Though the Badi Baoli had small portions of collapse even during the architectural documentation carried out in 2011, it was the most structurally well preserved of all the step-wells found with the complex. By 2013, the masonry below the arcade, had caved-in and the structure required urgent repairs and under-pinning. However soon after the MoU to commence conservation works was signed in January 2013 between the Department of Archaeology & Museums and the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, vested interests approached the Wakf Tribunal and works were put on hold as a result of the Tribunal’s orders.

The western façade of the baoli could not withstand the heavy rainfall experienced in Hyderabad in 2013 and in two successive storms, the entire western façade caved in. Following the complete collapse, the Wakf Tribunal permitted the Department of Archaeology & Museums to commence conservation works.

Structural assessment of the baoli was carried out by Stand Engineers, a UK based firm familiar with historic structures-before restoration.

March 2013 collapse September 2013 collapse

2012 collapse

Collapse






Tata Trusts

1. Removing water to adjacent baoli

2. Lifting collapsed stones and debris

3. Building a stable foundation

Preparing for Conservation



Following the collapse of the west side wall, over 20 lakh litres of water were pumped out and fed into adjoining step-wells. Then, water was continuously pumped out to allow the well to dry. The collapsed structure presented a major challenge with over 600 cum (equivalent to 100 truckloads) of masonry having collapsed. There was also significant risk of further collapse - onto craftsmen employed in the conservation effort. This process required over 4000 man days of work. At the first instance the water contained in the well was draining to adjoining baolis and following which, over several months, the collapsed stone blocks were removed from the bed of the baoli to be re-used in the repairs. Heavy stone blocks required mechanical equipment to lift out. The removal of the stone blocks revealed the friable condition of the rock and necessitated the laying of a concrete base on which the masonry could be built. This base was required to be built deep into the baoli base and resulted in a buttressed base to the western arcade.




Tata Trusts



Structural repairs




Tata Trusts

An alternate channel was built to the west of the Badi Baoli with an exaggerated slope up to the corridor level following which an open channel was built to direct water into the Baoli, to negate the enormous pressure of rainwater from the large catchment area.10 collapsed steps out of 17 in the western staircase were reinstated with dressed granite blocks.

Many would have considered the collapse at Badi Baoli permanent especially when the friable condition of the rock face was taken into consideration. On the strength of Indian building craft tradition coupled with advanced scientific analysis the repair commenced with rebuilding of the collapsed masonry in traditional lime mortar.

An RCC raft footing of 75 cubic meters was laid on the existing rock-bed. In order to allow water flow into the Baoli without exerting pressure on the masonry, several weep holes were retained in the masonry. It took all of 2014 to rebuild the 600 cum of masonry – allowing adequate time for the lime mortar to set and gain strength prior to adding additional layers.

Reconstruction of masonry

Construction of water channel and steps

Reconstructing the Arcade



The arcade, though built only in the 19th century, provides the identity of the Badi Baoli and as such is the most culturally significant architectural element. Its reconstruction was thus a major objective of the conservation effort undertaken at the Badi Baoli by the Department of Archaeology – Aga Khan Trust for Culture team. Architectural and photographic documentation carried out prior to the collapse had provided required details to reconstruct the collapsed portions. Craftsmen – used standing portions of the structure – to understand and faithfully reconstruct the masonry details. The plaster patterns found on the parapet were also restored. On completing the reconstruction of the collapsed portion, the cement pointing on the eastern, northern and southern wall surfaces of the baoli was also removed and replaced with lime mortar – to allow any water ingress into the Baoli.




Tata Trusts



Rainwater HarvestingQutb ShahiHeritage Park


December 24th, 2016September 24th, 2016September 1st, 2016

9 lakh litres-June 2016

33 lakh litres- December 2016

In one monsoon season, over 33 lakh litres of water was collected in the baoli, which now also holds a large fish population. This resulted in the mapping of water flow within the Qutb Shahi Heritage Park, regarding earth where required and providing underground drains where required. A collection chamber created to the west of the baoli was drained into the baoli from beneath the arcade in order to ensure rainwater does not exert stress on the masonry. The collected water will be used for irrigation and conservation works for the duration of the year.

To ensure water does not drown the newly reconstructed water, pumps were used to shift collected water to another baoli after the 33 lakh litres holding capacity was exhausted. Teracotta pipes discovered during archaeological investigations have revealed that a similar system was in place in the 16th century when the various baolis in the complex were interconnected.

Increasing water level




Tata Trusts

Documents

Conservation & Landscape Restoration Baoli through the ages · An RCC raft footing of 75 cubic meters was laid on the existing rock-bed. In order to allow water flow into the Baoli