The historical city of Kaithal has been revered for its spiritual and religious potency since the ancient days and has been mentioned in the Hindu scriptures, commentaries and Puranas. The city is dotted with temples, halls, dharmashalas and stepwells that are thousands of years old.
One of the finest examples of baoli construction is the Chajju Mal’s baoli or Bhai ki baoli in the heart of the city. The baoli though primarily designed to store water offers a glimpse into the religious and social practices, cultural traditions and customs and art and architecture of that period.
It is important to note that the baoli is based precisely on the tenets of the auspicious Shilpa Shastra with a harmonious infusion of decoration, simplicity and scientific calculation. Archaeologists claim that the original structure is actually much older and a part of it was rebuilt somewhere in the early part of the 17th century with locally sourced lakhauri bricks with lime surkhi.
The baoli measures 77.2 metres by 8.8 metres and is three – storeyed and open on two sides. The recessed semi – octagonal arches on the sidewalls appear to have been influenced by the Indo – Islamic style of architecture.
The main flight of steps leading to the well connects with a smaller flight of steps from the second storey and ultimately ends at the circular well shaft. The well is covered by a domical roof.
Locals say that the Rani of the ruling Sikh dynasty (possibly Bhai dynasty and hence, the name Bhai ki baoli) used to bathe at the well.
Written by Lakshmi Subramanian
sahasa.in 
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