| Boter Kothani Vav | |
|---|---|
 Stepwell interior with exposed bricks | |
 Interactive map of Boter Kothani Vav | |
| Alternative names | Mehsana Vav |
| General information | |
| Architectural style | Indian architecture |
| Location | Mehsana, India |
| Coordinates | 23°36′12″N72°24′05″E / 23.603431°N 72.401489°E /23.603431; 72.401489 |
| Completed | 1674 |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | Eleven storied stepwell |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Local |
Boter Kothani Vav, also known asMehsana Vav[1] orInteri Vav,[2] is astepwell located inMehsana,Gujarat, India.
The stepwell was constructed during the reign ofMughal emperorAurangzeb. An inscription datedSamvat 1731 (1674 CE) inPersian andDevnagari scripts states that it was commissioned by Shah Gokaldas from Laghu Shakha ofShrimali caste, and his mother Manabai for public welfare.[1][3] Gokaldas is a son of Virji who is a son of Vaka and grandson of Tejpal, as mentioned in the inscription.[4]
Repaired and renovated during theGaekwad rule,[5][6] it became neglected and polluted. It was cleaned by the Mehsana Municipality in 2013.[6][7][8] It was cleaned again and its water was approved for use in gardens in 2020.[9] There is a proposal to renovate and develop it as a tourist destination by Mehsana Municipal Corporation.[10]
It is located near Bhimnath Mahadev temple in Para area.[11] It is constructed of bricks and sandstone.[6] It is 14 to 15 metres (45 to 50 ft) long[citation needed] and eleven floors deep, and has unique twin wells.[6] It is known as Boter Kothani Vav, literally the stepwell with 72 cells.[3][12]
