Structural repairs
Many would have considered the collapse at Badi Baoli permanent especially when the friable condition of the rock face was taken into consideration. On the strength of Indian building craft tradition coupled with advanced scientific analysis the repair commenced with rebuilding of the collapsed masonry in traditional lime mortar.

Reconstruction of masonry

An RCC raft footing of 75 cubic meters was laid on the existing rock-bed. In order to allow water flow into the Baoli without exerting pressure on the masonry, several weep holes were retained in the masonry. It took all of 2014 to rebuild the 600 cum of masonry – allowing adequate time for the lime mortar to set and gain strength prior to adding additional layers.

Construction of water channel and steps

An alternate channel was built to the west of the Badi Baoli with an exaggerated slope up to the corridor level following which an open channel was built to direct water into the Baoli, to negate the enormous pressure of rainwater from the large catchment area.

10 collapsed steps out of 17 in the western staircase were reinstated with dressed granite blocks.

Aga Khan Trust for Culture

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  • Baoli through the ages In Qutb Shahi Heritage Park: Conservation and Landscape Restoration. Aga Khan Trust for Culture, 2016.