The structure is so far believed to have served as a mortuary bath on account of its being prominently sited within a necropolis. It has several chambers and is the finest Persian type Hamaam to survive in India. It contains the number of cisterns for hot and cold water, with running pipes for water supply. The platforms are decorated with mosaic works. Major alterations and inappropriate 20th century repairs to the structure and within its immediate setting have led to a poor understanding and appreciation of the grandeur and complexity.

Clearance of vegetation and study of archival photographs revealed a strong link with the Baoli and that the water lifting mechanism at the hamaam was much higher till the late 19th century. Removal of cement concrete layers on the roof also revealed a network of terracotta pipes supplying water to various cisterns on the ground level. Conservation works on hamam, required removal of lime wash layers and restoring plaster patterns would thus need to be coupled with continued archaeological investigations.

© Aga Khan Trust for Culture
© Aga Khan Trust for Culture