R
UNESCO World Heritage
ASI Protected
Rani ki Vav
Also known as: Queen's Stepwell
Patan, Gujarat
11th Century CE
Built by Queen Udayamati in memory of her husband Bhimdev I, this is one of the finest stepwells in India. The seven-story structure descends 30 meters and features over 1500 sculptures depicting religious, mythological, and secular imagery.
Source: Aitihasik heritage database. Use this as a field guide and verify sensitive historical claims before citation.
Details
- Dynasty
- Solanki
- Style
- Maru-Gurjara
- Primary Deity
- Various (primarily Vishnu avatars)
- Languages
- Gujarati, Sanskrit
- Scripts
- Devanagari, Sanskrit
Historical Significance
Most ornate stepwell in India. Features over 1500 sculptures. Represents the stages of life and death. Featured on India's ₹100 note
Architectural Features
Seven levels of stairsOver 500 principal sculpturesPavilions at each levelVishnu dashavatara panelsApsara and nagakanya figures