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A narrow lane off Atul Grove Road (formerly Hailey Road)
cutting across Kasturba Gandhi road (formerly Curzon road) and Sikandra
Road, leads the visitor to Ugrasen's Baoli. Measuring 60m long north south
and 15m wide at ground level, and built with rubble and dressed stones it
is one of the finest baolis in Delhi.
A
long flight of steps flanked by a thick wall with two series of arched
niches, the lower ones deep and remaining partly under water, and the
upper ones merely recessed from the surface, makes it an impressive sight.
There is a circular well at the northern extremity, but between the flight
of steps and the well is a covered landing with a terrace or platform at
ground level. Between the flanking walls steps lead down to the water
level.
Above the flight of steps on the west is a small mosque faced by three
openings. With a 'whale-back' roof, but its undersides meeting at an
angular apex, four pillared columns of red sandstone carved with
chaitya-motif and stucco medallions in spandrels, it is a unique
structure. The mosque is raised on a solid filling with underground dalans
on the sides.
Perhaps parts of the entrance complex of the baoli have disappeared. The
architectural features of the baoli bespeak a late Tughluq or Lodi age,
although traditionally it is said to have been built by Raja Ugrasen,
believed to be the progenitor of the Agrawal community. With its deep
waters the baoli serves as a swimming pool in summer.
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