The Rajon ki Baoli in Mehrauli Archeological Park is a three-story step well that was meant for cooking and drinking purposes, built in 1506 during the Lodhi Dynasty. Now, a carpet of algae on the surface suffocates the three levels beneath.

The crushed plastic bottles floating on the baoli’s surface stand in stark contrast to how Delhi’s December sun runs with shadows through the arches holding detailed limestone plasterwork. A musician playing his guitar by the mosque brought some life back to the stillness that occupies the water splashes and chatter that might have existed 500 years ago.

India’s earliest baolis were rock-cut stepwells dug into landscapes to provide and store water for communities, dating back to 200-400 AD. The steps gave access to the water stored underground, especially when levels dipped during summers.

As time progressed, these rainwater harvesting structures evolved to represent local communities’ art and architecture, and were often built near mosques and temples for people who washed and bathed before prayers. Some also provided shelter to travelers, with rooms on higher floors and dalans, or verandas, to hold social gatherings.

There was a sharp decline in the use of baolis in the 19th century as the British found stepwells unhygienic, and filled them up with Earth, using pipelines instead. Delhi had about 100 baolis at one point, but only 30 survive — others have either dried up or been covered.