150-Year-Old Stepwell Unearthed In UP's Sambhal

Big news from Uttar Pradesh! A Shiv-Hanuman temple in Sambhal district has reopened after 46 long years. But that’s not all—something even more exciting has come to light. During an excavation in the Chandausi area, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) team discovered an ancient stepwell, also known as a baoli.  

(Photo Credit: PTI) 150-Year-Old Stepwell Unearthed In UP's Sambhal

Read More: Great News For Indian Travelers: Malaysia Extends Visa-Free Entry Until 2026

A Hidden Treasure Uncovered  

#WATCH | Uttar Pradesh | Visuals from the Chandausi area of Sambhal where excavation work was carried out yesterday at an age-old Baori by the Sambhal administration pic.twitter.com/ILqA8t3WPW

— ANI (@ANI) December 23, 2024

Sambhal’s District Magistrate, Rajendra Pensiya, shared the details on Sunday. The baoli covers an area of 400 square meters and features four chambers with floors made of marble and bricks. Isn’t that fascinating? He explained, “The baoli was likely built during the time of Bilari’s king’s grandfather. The second and third floors are marble, while the upper ones are brick. So far, we’ve uncovered about four chambers.”  

Community Effort Leads to Action  

Interestingly, this discovery started with a public meeting on Saturday, where locals brought the matter to the authorities. The excavation work began right after. Currently, only 210 square meters of the structure are visible. The rest is still hidden under mud and encroachments, but the Nagar Palika team is hard at work removing the topsoil.  

The District Magistrate also believes this structure is over 150 years old! Isn’t it incredible to think about all the history it holds?  

Dedicated Restoration Efforts  

Krishna Kumar Sonkar, an officer from the local Municipal Corporation, said they acted quickly after learning about the buried structure. He stated, “As soon as we got the news, we started excavation. We’ll continue our work to uncover and restore this baoli.”  

Another Exciting Survey  

Meanwhile, the ASI team is also busy elsewhere in Sambhal. They recently conducted a detailed survey at the Kalki Vishnu temple and inspected five ancient shrines and 19 wells in the district. This inspection lasted 8–10 hours and covered about 24 sites, including the newly reopened temple.  

The ASI will soon submit its report, but one thing’s for sure—these discoveries are a window into India’s rich history.  

This fascinating journey of uncovering history truly feels like opening a time capsule, doesn’t it? Keep an eye out for updates, as there’s definitely more to come from Sambhal!