Site Name: Asarwa
Date: 1499 CE according to the Sanskrit inscription on the stepwell
Subject: General view of Dada Harir Vav
CENTER FOR ART AND ARCHAEOLOGY
The construction of the Dada Harir Stepwell fell in the reign of Sultan Mahmud Begada. This stepwell derived its name from the patroness Dada Hariri. In an early account, this stepwell was called ‘Nurse’s Well’ by literal translation of patroness’ title given in the inscription.
This stepwell bears two inscriptions, one in Sanskrit and the other in Arabic. The stepwell has five storeys and five pavilion-towers. In the inside world of the world at each story, one small niche is introduced at the center of the back wall. Inside the niches, there are intricately designed scroll-motifs. At the top most storey, and arch supports a platform, were formerly the device for hauling by buckets had been installed.
The stepwell displays various elements of the prevailing Hindu tradition and Islamic elements of decoration. Animals appear on the horizontal bands inside the back word of the well in between the floral scroll. Islamic decorative elements are rosette-medallions, the ‘tree of life’ or a huge lotus-rosette in a vase which seems to be an alteration of the classical motif of purnaghata, the vase of plenty.
Reference: Jain-Neubauer, Jutta. The Stepwells of Gujarat: In Art-historical Perspective, 2003.