WAV OF BAI HARIR
Bai Harir, a female considered to be
the founder of this wav, is also known as "Dada Hari".
It is assumed that she was an important figure in the Harem in
the reign of the 7th sultan. As seen in the photograph taken,
this wav is a long and narrow Baori, a distinctive architectural
feature of the Gjarat region. When we surveyed in 1960, it was
one of the important source of water supply for residents of this
area.
Many of the wavs remainig in Gjarat region have been
known as "Baori". Unlike step-well, which structure can
be seen from the ground level, a well, a waterway, and a step
constructed underground cannot be seen from the ground in Baori.
With the exception of a low structure surrounding the well, all
are covered by a ceiling. Some wavs have a kiosk-like
construction in the ceiling part. This wav is no exception.
The underground part foms a few tires, on which
slender constructions are situated. As well as its main part, the
well, pillars, parapets and walls are finely constructed. Some of
them have sculaptured patterns. I remember when I went down to
underground part of these wells in Ahmadabad for the first time,
I was so amazed by their elaborate constructions. In this wav,
splendid inscriptions remain in a part of the wall, from which we
can assume the background of the fondation of this well.
In this site, there is a mosque, assumed to have
been built by the same founder of the well, and a mausoleum,
considered to entomb her. On the central mihrab of the mosque,
there is an inscription suggesting that it was built under the
reign of the Sultan Mahmud Begarha. The structure and style of
the mosque seem to be similar to those of Mosque of Bibi Achut
Kuki. Th upper part of the big minars on either side of the great
arch at the east central entrance is collapsed. The feature of
this mosque seems to be certainly in Gjarati style. Two minars on
both sides of the front and the basement of the Oriel decorating
either side of the front of the mosque are richly decorated with
sculaptured patterns. These patterns, with the delicate
sculaptured patterns of the mihrab at the centre of the prayer
room and the upper part of the walls of the central room, seem to
fully show the feature of the Gjarati architecture.
The mausoleum built to the northeast of the mosque
is assumed to entomb the founder of the wav and the mosque, a
female called Bai Harir. The mausoleum consists of the tomb
chamber on a square plan with a hugh semi-circular dome, which is
surrounded by low corridors with four small domes. For a
mausoleum entombing a female, it shows majestic structure and
style. The entrance to the tomb chamber is on the south. The
walls of the other three sides have only windows. The openwork
sculptures employed on the basement of the corridors and the
bottom of the mausolem are those of plants and gyometric
patterns. These are also precious heritage showing the feature of
the Gjarati art. (Matsuo Ara)