Within the Purana Quila or the Old Fort in Delhi and not far from the Baodi stepwell lies the ruins of a brick structure of a hammam or bathhouse. I was excited upon seeing this in the fort map but on reaching the monument all that could be found was the remains of terracotta pipes and a ribbed water chute with several rooms measuring about 3 square meters each.
Such bathhouses, with provision for hot and cold water and even steam rooms, were popular in medieval times. A unique thing that I had always known about these baths was the gradual increase or decrease n temperature of the water in each chamber so as to tone up the body temperature gradually until a person reached the innermost or the main bath chamber as opposed to sudden entry into a hot or cold water pool according to the season of the year.
Caption: Collage of the Hammam Bathhouse in Old Fort in Delhi made by local guide @Tushar_Suradkar
According to the tourist guide, various empires ruled from this fort for several centuries and the public bath was built over several times. But eventually, this structure was forgotten. In the years after the abandonment of the fort as capital, it was lost within the tiny town of Indraprasth and was only revealed when the conservation of the site was undertaken by the Archaeological Survey of India or ASI.
Have you been to a public utility that also has some historic importance?IтАЩd be interested in knowing your experiences.
Until thenтАж Happy Guiding ?
Accessibility Features
The Hammam Bathhouse has an accessible pathway that can easily accommodate a wheelchair to be able to enjoy the views from the outside and most parts of the monument.
Ramp Access.
A wheelchair-accessible Entrance.
A wheelchair-accessible Parking.
A wheelchair-accessible Restroom/Toilet.
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Accessibility Features
Ramp Access.