Evidence of stepwells in India dates to the Indus-Saraswati Valley Civilisation between 2500-1700 BC. Initially constructed as trenches, they slowly evolved between 11th -15th centuries as an ecological and comprehensive water management and storage system. Stepwells are an engineering marvel - multi-storied subterranean structures with distinct four-square shape - one has a shaft of water and cascading galleries with terracotta pipes for water to flow and fill the pond in the centre, cascading galleries on one side with niches and open arches and two sides have orchestrated steps for people to climb deep down into the well. Of the 3000 or more step wells (of which Delhi itself has around 30) that are documented in India, only around 400 are in a somewhat usable condition today
Agrasen was a king who was thought to have founded Agroha, a kingdom of traders located close to Delhi. As the story goes, he likely built the stepwell in the 10th century, and it was later reconstructed in the 14th century during the reign of the Lodis or the Sultanate rulers. Historians are unable to confirm its age. The structure finds a reference in the 12th century Sanskrit poem Pasanahakarin by Vibhudsridhara who lived in Delhi during the rule of the Tomar king Anangpal III (CE 1151-80). Yet another later reference is in an old map dated 1868 at the National Archives of India, New Delhi.
The stepwell is a large stone cavernous multi-level structure that leads to a pool of water about 60 ft below. This stepwell, built in brick masonry is 60 ft deep and 15 m wide, with around 108 steps on three levels (each with niched arches), that eventually lead to the water storage area, steps descending at an angle of 30 degrees. The ornate arches are of the Tughlaq period, with niches and a single, long sweeping stairway with ancient stone steps handcrafted to perfection.