The concept of stepwells is known from inscriptions to date back as far as 423 AD, and it may even have its genesis from the time of Indus Valley civilization. However, most stepwells appear to have flourished during the 8th to 18th centuries. They were an essential rain harvesting, groundwater recharge and storage system. Stepwells also express an aesthetic sense of Indian and are examples of what water, art and architecture meant for simple folk. The stepwells of Rajasthan have different decorative designs and symbolize the refined taste of the people of the time. They also reflect the deep rooted religious attachment and faith in this type of stepwell.
This multi-storied also in which a bullock turns the water wheel ("Rehant") to raise the water in the well to the first or second floor.
The stepwell is an unique construction of a well with steps either on one side, two, three or on all the four sides leading to the water surface (Savalia 2009: 88). These steps provide direct access to people who descend the steps to reach the water of the well (Hegwald 2002: 155). Single-faced stepwell is also known as Nanda Baori, two-faced is Bhadra Baori, three-faced is Jaya Baori (Rohit Kumar 2008: 399) and four-faced is known as Vijaya Baori (Hegwald 2002: 160). Stepped construction of a well is known as Vapi (in Sanskrit) (Savlia 2009: 88) and Vapya (Prasad 1998: 71). There are at least fifteen different names for stepwells. In Gujarat, they are commonly known as Vav or Bav, where as in Rajasthan they are usually known as Baori or Kund (Cox 2008: 14). The main function of stepwells is to supply water, but because stepwells frequently have galleries built along the long corridor of steps and around the storage basins, integrating stone benches with sloping backrests into their design, they are also used as cool retreats from the summer heat by villagers and travelers (Hegwald 2002: 155). Moreover in Rajasthan and Gujarat the stepwell was converted into an architectural monument of great beauty. It combined the utilitarian aspect with pleasure resort (Mate 1998: 102).