Ahemdabad, 22 June, 2014

A 7-storey underground structure constructed in medieval time in Patan in north Gujarat by queen Udaymati has been today declared a world heritage at UNESCO meet at Doha.

Udaymati, queen of Gurjar desh king Bhimdev constructed this structure in memory of his late husband. The monument has a huge well and steps leading to it with presence of over 1500 sculptures on all sides. Patan was once a capital city of Gujarat. Patan remained capital of Gujarat for more years compared Ahmedabad or Gandhinagar.

The step-well is protected monument under Archaeology Survey of India.

At UNESCO meet in Doha

Ambassador of India to UNESCO Paris, Ruchira Kamboj tweeted: Congratulations to India flowing in from World Heritage Committee members for addition of Raniki Vav to World Heritage list. Philippines thanked India for this inspiring masterpiece of the world. Japan commended India for its ‘artistic mastery’. Croatian commented that Ranki Vav is a remarkable nomination. Other World Heritage Committee members who felicitated India were Finland, Germany, Senegal, ROK, Vietnam, Malaysia, Jamaica, Colombia and Algeria.

ASI description:

This magnificent stepwell is said to have been constructed by Udaymati, the queen of Bhimdeva (AD 1022-1063) in the last quarter of 11th century AD. Bhimdeva-1 was son of Mularaja, the founder of the Solanki dynasty of Anhilwada Patan.

The Vav measuring about 64 meters long, 20 meters wide and 27 meter deep is laid out in the east-west direction with well proper in the west. This well has a pillared multi-storeyed pavilion, a drawn well and a large tank for collecting surplus water. It must have been one of the largest and the most sumptuous structure of its kind.

The architectural brilliance and elegance of the vav is represented in its pristine glory in the ornamental work. The beautifully proportioned sculptures of gracefully carved Mahisasuramardini, Parvati and other Saiva sculptures, Vishnu in different forms, Bhairava, Ganesha, Surya, Kubera, Lakshminarayana, Ashtadikpalas and other forms adorn the walls. The female figures have been depicted in various poses of Apsaras, Nagakanyas, Yoginis etc.

Prime Minister welcomes the announcement

Rani Ki Vav in Patan, Gujarat has been added to the UNESCO #WorldHeritage list! A matter of great pride for us.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 22, 2014

Next time you visit Gujarat, you must visit Rani Ki Vav, an excellent symbol of our great art & culture http://t.co/0YM40385Hu

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 22, 2014

Official note by Government of India

Rani –ki –Vav has been approved for inscription on the World Heritage list. The recognition was granted by the UNESCO at the World Heritage Committee Session currently on at Doha, Qatar. UNESCO has recognized this masterpiece as an exceptional example of technological development in utilizing ground water resources in a single component, water management system and it illustrates the exceptional capacity to break large spaces into smaller volumes following ideal aesthetic proportions.

Rani-ki-Vav, a stepwell built in the 11th century is the most developed, elaborate and ornate example of a unique type of Indian subterranean architectural structure, and it marks the zenith in the evolution of stepwells in India. It is a particularly large and complex example of a stepwell, with seven storeys of ornamented panels of sculptures and relief representing the height of the Maru-Gurjara style. Following the flooding and disappearance of the Saraswati River due to geotectonic changes, the property was buried under layers of silt for almost seven centuries and has been preserved underneath in an exceptional state of conservation by the Archaeological Survey of India. The stepwell is digitally documented through collaboration between ASI, CyArk and the Scottish Ten.

It was nominated by ASI for the World Heritage List of UNESCO in Feb. 2013. The process of nomination of Rani ki Vav and the management strategy presented for the property and Buffer Zone as per Operational Guidelines of UNESCO can be credited to excellent teamwork between the Archaeological Survey of India and the State Government of Gujarat. The dossier was prepared by an in-house team of experts within the ASI and vetted by the Ministry of Culture through its Advisory Committee at various stages. The State Government of Gujarat supported the protection of Buffer Zone as a protected area in the Development Plan. They worked with ASI officials to mark the around the Rani ki Vav including the excavated area of the historic Sahastralinga Talao under ASI as well as the unexcavated areas of this Talao which falls under agricultural fields for future protection in the Development Plan. The initiative of additionally protecting surrounding area around Rani ki Vav with its inclusion in the Local Development Plan is an exemplary example of integrating heritage with planning and needs to be emulated for heritage sites across India.

The inscription of Rani ki Vav on the World Heritage List as the single most example of a step well is a testimony to the traditional water systems of India. The local residents of Patan who were engaged actively in the process and provided full support to ASI and State Government in the process including its field evaluation by ICOMOS (the Advisory Body to UNESCO) deserve a special mention in achieving this target to place this stepwell on India’s World Heritage List.