Everything changed for Victoria Lautman the day she was introduced to the haunting beauty of  Rudabai Vav in Adalaj, Gujarat, one of India’s many step wells. Recounting the experience, she said, “I was astounded by that 500-hundred-year-old subterranean structure. I’d never seen or heard of anything like it. The whole experience was extremely powerful, and the memory indelible”, according to a report by Hindustan Times.

The author of The Vanishing Stepwells of India, Victoria Lautman recollects her intimate interaction with the step wells of India in the book. An introduction to her book reads, “The Vanishing Stepwells of India presents seventy-five subterranean wonders, a fraction of those Victoria spent four years photographing throughout the country. Informative rather than scholarly, the book sheds light on a unique – if ignored – architectural typology, through several hundred color photographs and detailed entries. GPS coordinates are provided, in the hopes that readers will be inspired to see these elusive beauties with their own eyes.”

India’s step wells are ancient structures that were an integral part of the Indian cultural ages ago. They are a surviving testimony to traditional systems of water-harvesting and also a fine example of ancient Indian craftsmanship and architecture. Subjected to reckless oblivion with the passage of time, they were once considered to be sacred water bodies and were built by rich patrons. They also contributed to the local community’s socio-economic needs.

It has been 30 years since Lautman first visited India and fell for the architectural marvels. The lack of information and her “obsession” with them led her towards the development of her book, which eventually got published last year.

H/T: Hindustan Times