Sambhal: ASI Team Inspects Ancient Stepwell Found In Chandausi As Excavation Work Enters Fifth Day

The excavation of the stepwell in Sambhal began on began on December 21 and is being done under the supervision of executive officer of Chandausi municipality, Krishna Kumar Sonkar.

A team from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) visited the site of an age-old stepwell discovered in Chandausi in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal. The team visited to assess the progress in excavation work which has entered the fifth day.

The ASI officials are assessing the structure to determine the best approach to further continue the excavation work. The stepwell, which is said to be approximately 125 to 150 years old, was unearthed during an excavation in the Laxman Ganj area of Chandausi last week. It covers an area of 400 square metres.  

The executive officer of Chandausi municipality, Krishna Kumar Sonkar, spoke about the difficulties arising during the excavation exercise. The officer said that although the structure of the step was emerging clearly, there is uncertainty regarding the number of days it would take to complete the entire process. 

"Today marks the fifth day of excavation. Our ASI colleagues are here studying the site and evaluating the next steps. Given the complexity of the structure, JCB machinery cannot be used, so manual labour is being employed. So far, the step well's structure is emerging clearly, but it's hard to predict how long this process will take," Sonkar told reporters.

Excavation Incharge, Municipality, Priyanka Singh, who was also present at the excavation site, said: "Right now, the excavation of the first floor is being done and we can see the floor...The 'Baori' is an age-old thing. The Department of Archaeology will be able to tell the exact age of this well."

The excavation of the stepwell in Sambhal began on began on December 21 and it comes after the Bhasma Shankar temple was responed on December 13, after remaining closed for 46 years. The temple is a stone's throw away from the Shahi Jama Masjid where clashes erupted during the ASI survey last month.

According to Sambhal’s District Magistrate Rajendra Pensiya, the stepwell was reportedly constructed during the reign of the maternal grandfather of the king of Bilari.

Pensiya said the stepwell has four chambers and also has floors made of made of bricks and marble. "The second and third floors are made of marble, while the upper floors are built from bricks," news agency PTI quoted him as saying.