Out of the many repositories of architecture in Gujarat, I first & foremost choose to write about the stepwells or vaav as locally called . These wells are no ordinary wells. One of the least known and visited architectural wonders built in and around 15th Century. They are five to seven storey layered excavations deep into the bowels of earth. Designed to provide water and shelter from scorching heat, they became a common place for meetings and cultural exchanges for the pilgrims.
These pictures are of Adalaj ni vaav, situated 18km. north of city of Ahmedabad. The well was built in 1499 A.D. by Queen Rudabai. There is an interesting legend behing Adalaj vaav.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adalaj
The best one is in Patan. I happen to visit it while shooting for a documentary with the famous patola weavers there.
The Rani ni vaav is by far the biggest and most intricate out of the ones I have visited.
Morna Livingston has compiled a book on these wells called "steps to water" which has some beautiful pictures of vaavs and Baolis all over Gujarat and Rajasthan.
