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Functions of Stewells (Periods (1947 - Present - Post Independence, 1250s …

- - - - Malav Talav lake, near Ambaji Mata Vav is being restored by AMC
      - People living around stepwells refrain to have conversatitions in fear of the stepwells might become heritage sites -that they will loose their houses then
      - AMC have so far successfully revived Step well of Bapunagar, stepwell of Uttamnagar, Vadajstepwell. https://ahmedabadcity.gov.in/portal/jsp/Static_pages/heritage_dept.jsp#Role
      - 2014- Delhi Officials - De-silt - to revitalize the stepwells -
    - - By the Locals
        
        The ritual items like fruits, flowers are dumped into the well
        
        The stepwells lost their original function
        
        The water level reduced due to too much pumping
        
        Soon the stepwells were converted into workship places, rather than for water
        
        Even though there is still water in Malav Talav stepwell, the Mandir people claim its not drinkable bcz of the silt and uses the water for plants and washing purposes
        
        The localities are defined by the temple rather than by the stepwell
      - Modern water system
        
        Unregulated tapping - the culprit in India's current water crisis
        
        Houses get water from the AMC tanks
        
        In those days, people lived by rivers, or dependent on wells to take water. Any water used needed arduous( needed huge effort) work to collect it. But later when people got their water in their doorsteps, they became relaxed in the usage and when population exploded, the impacts started showing its face.
        
        Water level dropped 80m in 30 years
      - Vandalism by visitors
        
        Couples writing, scribbling
        
        Littering
      - Advent of British
        
        Deemed unhygienic by British
        
        Introduction of Pump systems (early 20th century)
        
        Step wells lost their significance
        
        Water level decreased, Silt formation
        
        Dumping of Garbage
        
        Water as a commodity
        
        Green revolution agrarian technology - high yielding hybrid crop varieties - insatiable demand for water
        
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        Guinea worms - Due to extensive contamination of stagnant water by human interaction
        
        India have eradicated Guinea worm in 1996
        
        Levied tax on land and water
        
        Industrial activities
        
        January 20, 1863. First Railway route, Ahmadabad to Surat from the Kalupur station
    - - More than just for water(10th to 19th)
        
        Rituals, Practices,
        
        Modern scenario
        
        Speakers blaring, Garba songs
        
        Well decorated and taken care by locals
        
        Lesson in community engagement
        
        Malav Talav, Mata Bhavani
        
        Art
        
        Jasma Odan - Play on well diggers
        
        Women Factor
        
        In Rig Veda - Water is compared to Goddesses
        
        Anthromorphic forms - Apsaras
        
        Each village had its own version of Goddess around which local cults swarmed
        
        From Steps to water
        
        Mother Goddess- Symbol of curing
        
        Atleast one stepwell was named Sitala(Small pox) due to its curing abilities
        
        Women expecting a child, place a wooden arm at the belly of lord Ganesh. --matris stepwell, kankavati.
        
        stiff, unpainted, roughly carved
        
        Tie bangles, a piece of their sari in the bush near the well in hope for a son
        
        Steps to water
        
        Stepwells might be called Women's buildings, but..
        
        Not designed for women's needs.
        
        Public places in Rural villages were traditionally been for males only
        
        Women may visit the stepwells only in early mornings or late afternoons after the males have finished their midday rest
        
        Myths/beleifs
        
        Rasakupika vav, Mt. Girnar - Body of person bathing becomes as hard as marble.
        
        A piece of stone or iron dipped becomes Gold
        
        The vav only visible to saints and sages gifted with super powers
        
        Supernatural
        
        Puja(Workship)
        
        Uncover the eyes of the deity
        
        Wake the Goddess up by clapping or ringing bell
        
        Offer light from small lamps, Diyas
        
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      - Initial (4th to 10th century)
        
        Resting and rejuvenating place for travellers, animals
        
        The major activity in ancient Gujarat was animal husbandry, since the land and climatic condition didn't support agriculture much, which is otherwise the main occupation in the India