Navghan Kuvo

Navghan Kuvo is a stepwell in Uparkot Fort, Junagadh, Gujarat, India.[1]

Navghan Kuvo
Flight of steps leading to forecourt of the stepwell
Location within Gujarat
General information
TypeStepwell
Architectural styleIndian architecture
LocationUparkot Fort
Town or cityJunagadh
CountryIndia
Coordinates21.5238°N 70.4692°E / 21.5238; 70.4692
Construction started2nd-7th century
Completed11th-12th century
Design and construction
ArchitectLocal
DesignationsASI State Protected Monument No. S-GJ-116

History

Navghan Kuvo is named after the Chudasama king Ra Navaghana. The forecourt to reach the well was probably built during his reign in 11th century. It is believed to have been completed by his son Khengara.[1]

The well is considered older than the forecourt. It is an oldest example of the stepwell according to some scholars. It is near the Uparkot Caves. The well might have been built in Kshatrapa period (2nd-4th century) or in Maitraka period (6th-7th century).[1]

It is a state protected monument (S-GJ-116).

Architecture

A small staircase entered through an arched doorway leads to the forecourt. The well is located at the far end of the forecourt. The water in the well is reached by a circular staircase which is cut in the soft rock behind thin stone wall of the shaft of well. The flight of the steps, first straight and then transverse, turns right around the shaft. The array of square holes in the stone wall of the shaft illuminate and cool the inside.[1][2][3]

  • Entrance of the stepwell
  • Forecourt
  • Forecourt
  • Forecourt from steps
  • Soft rock hewn to make niches for birds
  • Information board

See also

References
  1. Jutta Jain-Neubauer (1981). The Stepwells of Gujarat: In Art-historical Perspective. Abhinav Publications. pp. 22, 27. ISBN 978-0-391-02284-3.
  2. Anjali H. Desai (2007). India Guide Gujarat. India Guide Publications. p. 254. ISBN 978-0-9789517-0-2.
  3. Morna Livingston; Milo Beach (April 2002). Steps to Water: The Ancient Stepwells of India. Princeton Architectural Press. p. 21. ISBN 978-1-56898-324-0.
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