Bhopal’s historic Bada Bagh Stepwell restored under Jal Ganga Samvardhan Abhiyan

Bhopal's historic ‘Bade Bagh ki Baoli’ – a 200-year-old architectural marvel has been successfully restored under a state government initiative for revival of traditional water structures.

 

The Bada Bagh Baoli – a stepwell, spanning half an acre – is the largest among the many in Bhopal built by the Nawabs.

 

This three-storey architectural masterpiece features intricate carvings of arches, vines, and leaves adorning its walls, stairs, and parapets. According to historians, its prolonged construction period allowed for diverse architectural influences, showcasing glimpses of the design traditions of various countries. The structure is 60-foot deep and positioned between two historic tombs. It is upheld as a testament of exceptional craftsmanship and engineering expertise of its time.

 

The stepwell is located within the 32-acre Bada Bagh complex, originally established by Nawab Kudriya Begum as a memorial to her father and formerly known as Wazir Bagh. This garden houses multiple tombs constructed from red sandstone following the traditional Charbagh system, with the tomb of sixth Nawab Wazir Mohammad Khan being the first structure built here.

 

Despite being a major tourist attraction drawing visitors from across the country, the site had suffered from neglect over the years. Many sections fell into disrepair, with vandalism and graffiti marring the ancient carvings. While restoration plans were frequently proposed, implementation remained inadequate until the recent initiative.

 

The district administration and Bhopal Municipal Corporation undertook focused restoration efforts, including comprehensive cleaning, desilting, weed removal, wall and stair repairs, painting, and safety net installation. Approximately 40 cubic metres of accumulated silt were removed, significantly enhancing the structure's functionality and increasing its water holding capacity to 2,000 litres per hour.

 

This restoration represents more than structural repair. It symbolises the revival of Bhopal’s water heritage and cultural tourism potential.

 

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has often called for turning the Jal Ganga Samvardhan Abhiyan, under which the stepwell was restored, into a mass movement for water conservation.

 

The historic stepwell will now be functional water source and a focal point of Bhopal’s heritage tourism.

Tourism