Navghan Kuvo is a
stepwell in
Uparkot Fort,
Junagadh,
Gujarat, India.
History
Navghan Kuvo is named after the
Chudasama king Ra
Navaghana
Navaghana was a Chudasama king of Saurashtra region of western India who reigned from 1306 CE to 1308 CE ( VS 1362 to VS 1364). His capital was at Junagadh.
Reign
Navaghana was of middle age when he succeeded his father Mandalika I. He is a ...
. The forecourt to reach the well was probably built during his reign in 11th century. It is believed to have been completed by his son
Khengara.
The well is considered older than the forecourt. It is an oldest example of the
stepwell according to some scholars. It is near the
Uparkot Caves. The well might have been built in
Kshatrapa period (2nd-4th century) or in
Maitraka period (6th-7th century).
It is a state protected monument (S-GJ-116).
Architecture
A small staircase entered through an arched doorway leads to the forecourt. The well is located at the far end of the forecourt. The water in the well is reached by a circular staircase which is cut in the soft rock behind thin stone wall of the shaft of well. The flight of the steps, first straight and then transverse, turns right around the shaft. The array of square holes in the stone wall of the shaft illuminate and cool the inside.
Gallery
File:Navghan Kuvo(well)-1.jpg, Entrance of the stepwell
File:Navghan Kuvo1.JPG, Forecourt
File:Navghan_Kuvo(well)-2.jpg, Forecourt
File:Dark Door (54748614).jpeg, Forecourt from steps
File:Navghan Kuvo(well)-3(Bird Home).jpg, Soft rock hewn to make niches for birds
File:Navghan Kuvo 01.jpg, Information board
See also
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Adi Kadi Vav
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Rani ki vav
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History of stepwells in Gujarat
*
Stepwell
References
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Stepwells in Gujarat
Junagadh
Tourist attractions in Junagadh district
Monuments and memorials in Gujarat