Hyderabad has seen a resurgence in promoting and celebrating Telangana’s unique culture and identity since it became a separate state in 2014. The Hyderabad Designer Forum, led by President Yeshwant Ramamurthy, has undertaken a significant initiative to study and document the lost glory of step wells in Telangana. This initiative involved comprehensive research and documentation of these historical step wells, which will be released in the next six to eight weeks.
Yeshwant Ramamurthy embarked on this journey after visiting Kichannapalle village in Sangareddy district, where he learned about a hidden step well. Intrigued by this discovery, he delved deeper into its history and significance. Prior to this documentation, there was a lack of awareness and records about these step wells.
Yeshwant Ramamurthy had the opportunity to present his research and findings on Telangana’s rural architecture to Minister for Urban Development, K T Rama Rao. The support from the Kakatiya Heritage Trust and JNFAU allowed for extensive research into Telangana’s rural architectural heritage, with a focus on step wells.
During the process of documenting these step wells, professional surveyors were engaged to ensure the authenticity of the information gathered. Oral narratives shared by the villagers served as valuable insights into the past, which had to be carefully verified and cross-referenced due to the absence of written historical records.
In February 2023, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) and Hyderabad Design Forum (HDF) for further research and collaboration on ‘The Forgotten Stepwells of Telangana’. A team of nine architects has been studying various aspects of these step wells, including their role in society, religion, agriculture, and history.
The architects are conducting comprehensive research in disciplines such as hydrology, geology, Vastu and Agama building codes, gender behavior, historical contexts, folklore, and iconography. Their aim is to unravel the intricate layers of significance woven into this unique architectural form.
Kalpana Ramesh, founder of RainWater Project and one of the architects involved in the documentation, describes the past five years as a tapestry of adventure and fulfillment. She emphasizes the allure of these water systems and hopes for more step wells to be discovered and celebrated.
These step wells are not just a part of standard history or conventional architectural wonders. They represent a timeless dance of water through the corridors of time, and their preservation is a celebration of Telangana’s heritage.
