It is one of the oldest baolis in Delhi, lying about 100 m south
of Adham Khan’s Tomb (Emperor Akbar’s wet nurse Maham
Angah’s son) in the Mehrauli village. It was built by Iltutmish
for Sufi saint Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki. The baoli is known as
Gandhak ki Baoli because of its water which smells like gandhak,
meaning sulphur. This baoli once supplied water to the area and
was considered sacred. The water in the well was
reserved only for the purpose of cooking and drinking. The area is surrounded by a lush, green forest. The entry arch of the baoli has
a staircase enclosed within the walls as staircases were considered
to be an unaesthetic component in a building.
The baoli has a rectangular plan surrounded on three sides
with arcaded verandahs with rooms on the higher levels. These
rooms served as guesthouses for the travellers and provided
respite from the scorching heat of Delhi. This baoli also served as
a congregational space for recreation and discussion for travellers
and local people. <<Back to Monument List
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