The Queen's Stepwell at Patan

DETAILS : 

• Author : Kirit Mankodi 
  
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Franco-Indian Research Pvt. Ltd.
  
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 1, 2021
  
• Edition ‏ : ‎ 2nd
  
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
  
• Hardcover : 239 pages
  
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 8195078109
  
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-8195078103
  
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2100 g

ABOUT THE BOOK

The Queen's Stepwell at Patan: Architecture, Art and Chronology, authored by the distinguished archaeologist Dr. Kirit Mankodi and published in 1991 by Project for Indian Cultural Studies, is a monumental, definitive monograph on the Rani ki Vav (The Queen's Stepwell) in Patan, Gujarat. This landmark architectural and subterranean study was published decades before the monument was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, serving as the primary academic foundation that brought this subterranean marvel to global attention.

The primary objective of the book is to provide an exhaustive, stone-by-stone documentation and artistic analysis of the stepwell, which was commissioned in the 11th century by Queen Udayamati in memory of her husband, King Bhimadeva I of the Chaulukya (Solanki) dynasty. For centuries, the entire seven-story structure lay buried under layers of silt from the shifting waters of the Saraswati River, preserving its sculptures in pristine condition until its systematic excavation by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Dr. Mankodi chronicles this transformation, analyzing the monument's architectural layout, engineering mechanics, and sophisticated water-management system.

A defining feature of the book is its meticulous cataloging of the stepwell's profuse iconography, which includes over five hundred principal sculptures. The author provides high-resolution photographic documentation and deep iconographic assessments of the primary avatars of Lord Vishnu, celestial maidens (Apsaras and Surasundaris), and complex geometric friezes. By cross-referencing stylistic evolutions and regional historical epigraphs, Dr. Mankodi solves critical chronological puzzles, establishing a precise timeline for the structure's construction. This volume remains an indispensable, master reference work for historians of Indian art, architectural engineers, and scholars of Indology.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Kirit Mankodi is a highly respected Indian archaeologist, art historian, and researcher specializing in classical western Indian temple architecture and epigraphy. Holding a doctorate in classical archaeology, his career is defined by an uncompromising commitment to preserving India's cultural heritage, documenting ancient monuments, and fighting against the illegal trafficking of antiquities.

Dr. Mankodi’s academic writing style is characterized by its strict philological precision, comprehensive descriptive catalogs, and objective historical analysis. He is widely celebrated for his investigative research into stolen artifacts, tracking down displaced sculptures from monuments like the Rani ki Vav and helping secure their repatriation to India. Through his research projects, publications, and collaborative academic ventures, he continues to be a leading voice in documenting the artistic heritage of the Indian subcontinent.