Baoli
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A baoli is an Indian stone step well. It can be multi-storied. A bullock turns the water wheel ("Rehant") to raise the water in the well to the first or second floor.
The great mughal emperor Babur recorded in his memoirs that he built a baoli in Agra Fort, India. The baoli was completed after the battle of Khanua in 1527 and Babur placed an inscription there to this effect.
Babur actually used two "Rehant's" to carry the water to a higher level. This was altered when Akbar built his palaces (1565-1573). It was necessary to use a third Rehant to raise water. Therefore a three-storeyed water pavilion was erected at the mouth of the second well and three overhead tanks were built on its roof. Water from Babur's baoli was conducted into these tanks.
This plan was again altered when Shah Jahani Mahal was built. Massive walls were raised in the middle of Babur's baoli and the rooms were closed up. Alternative arrangements of water supply to the overhead tanks was made. Babur's baoli is now buried in the basement apartments is only partially accessible. The overhead tanks with inscribed tablets have survived intact.
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