A 20-km detour from the city of Ahmedabad took me to Adalaj, a village reputed for an architectural wonder: a marvellous stepwell or vav built in 1499 to hold water, offer spiritual sustenance and be a refuge for travellers and local people.
As soon as I stepped into the ornate five-storied structure, I was bowled over by its striking beauty. What makes Adalaj distinct from other stepwells is its spectacular mix of Indo-Islamic architecture and design. The legend behind its genesis is as intriguing as its. . .
