Delhi Heritage: Top 10 Baolis (H.B)

I’m someone who never liked History as a subject but loves exploring as an explorer/a traveler with a guide book.So, if you are someone who is an explorer, historian, traveler, teacher, student must read this amazing guide to understand Baolis.Carrying this book will be the best idea to explore Baolis of Delhi.This book has special features:1) The cover Illustration of the book gives a thoughtful presentation of the title Baoli so as you go deeper to know more about baoli, we need to get down steps ahead.2) It leaves us onto the Foreword by Sohail Hashmi ji who breathes history day and night with a larger perspective.3) There comes a detailed description of What is a Baoli/ Stepwell? It’s shapes, sizes, functioning, aspects of reviving, etc.4) Then comes a UNIQUE thing in this book is a list of 32 baolis in Delhi with its current location, condition and accessibility.5) This book has mesmerising pictures of the top 10 baolis with their detailed descriptions and then their location, coordinates , nearest station, etc.6) The author has a simple and lucid style of writing which is easily readable and understandable. I appreciate the unique thing about this book- the way the names of baolis are mentioned in 3 different languages.7) This book also gives reasons to many questions like — how 108 is connected to the number of steps in Ugrasen Ki Baoli...I feel it’s enough for a finder to go through this review and pick this treasure!And also don’t forget to carry this book when u go for an expedition to a Baoli😊I must say this book is a master piece of hardcore dedication, patience, research work, hard work and time. Best wishes to the author!

Information on Delhi's Baolis has always been a tricky affair. One had to scourge through different facebook pages of history interest groups, newspaper articles by heritage enthusiasts from time to time, participating in heritage explorations and so on. Thanks to Vikram, who leads illuminating heritage walks around lesser known monuments in Delhi, we now have a concise collection of all baolis of Delhi at one place. Apart from the very readable texts, the highlight of this small book are its illustrations and photos. It covers ten baolis with their history, interesting anecdotes and practical things on how to get there. The foreword by Suhail Hashmi, who also is a leading heritage activist in Delhi and writes regularly in print media, is a fitting acknowledgement to the efforts done by Vikram in bringing the information to all interested in a useful format. Hope it will encourage Vikram to write more such book, and more importantly, may it encourage many people - students, heritage enthusiasts and general readers - to get motivated in historical monuments and their conservation and relevance in today's fast changing world.

As an amateur history and heritage enthusiast, a couple of years ago I came across a list of books that were recommended by many learned people, these books painted a vibrant image of Delhi's past and the monuments that stand as a testimony of said times. While these books altogether exhaustively covered a large number of monuments we are familiar with today, there was something lacking in all of them.... which this book, by Vikramjit Singh Rooprai so eloquently fulfills.Delhi Heritage: Top 10 Baolis is a definitive guide to the Baolis (step-wells) currently surviving in whatever condition in and around Delhi. While there may be many more Baolis than the 10 mentioned (Read the book to find out) The book was enough for me to decide to explore (or at least try to) all the baolis mentioned.Wonderfully illustrated, well written and full of interesting factoids written such that it feels the author is right there, with us at the Baoli, narrating its history!I'd recommend it 10/10!

This book is truly a work of art. An art which has been been crafted painstakingly and skillfully. Right from the foreword by Sohail Hashmi sir to the preface and the introduction, it holds your hand and gently takes you the world of monuments dedicated to the life sustaining : water.The book has been thoroughly researched using multiple sources to avoid any misinformation and also the photographs are a joy to see. The author has compiled a list of Baolis (stepwells) and have selected them on the basis of various factors. I am pretty sure some of them you have not even heard of, even if you have lived your whole life in Delhi.The best thing that I found is that the author has not only incorporated structural drawings , directions and also nearest Metro Station but also GPS coordinates which makes it a whole lot easier to find them in this ever changing world.

This book tells you what, why and how of the top 10 Baolis in Delhi. From their structure, built, significance, it covers everything!I have always been fond of history, for it brings me closer to people, places, events. Closer in terms of knowing why what had happened had happened. I've always found myself sneaking in a few minutes of search before I visit any place. I've always found myself strolling through small write ups on stones and marbles, the 'about section' of a place of cultural and historic importance.It is a matter of not just pride that I live in a city so rich in heritage but also of guilt that despite having been born and brought up in the city, I have only heard of these places and not visited them. This book reminds me of the value they carry and motivates me to plan my next outing dedicated to one of these Baolis!Aesthetically pleasing, this book is an essential read for the traveller/historian/explorer in you!

The book is an excellent repository for step wells in Delhi. The architectural drawing, facts and nuggets make it a very interesting read. Excellent pictures and superb research.

Good book