On Thursday, it was announced that the new lavender Rs 100 note would sport the motif of Rani ki Vav—a relatively unknown heritage site—on the flip side.
Situated in Patan, the erstwhile capital of Gujarat, and maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Rani Ki Vav (the Queen's stepwell) figures in the UNESCO World Heritage Site list. This motif on the new currency note recognises its rich architecture, and reiterates the message of water conservation.
According to UNESCO website, Rani ki Vav was constructed in the 11th century AD, as a memorial to a king, on the banks of Saraswati river. Stepwells have often worked as a mode of water storage in the Indian subcontinent since the 3rd millennium BC.
Rani ki Vav stepwells are an example of the artisanal mastery of the time—a masterpiece in Maru-Gurjara architectural style, minutely detailed. There are more than 500 principle sculptures, and over a thousand minor ones, referencing religious, mythological, secular and literary imageries. The UNESCO also mentions that 'Rani ki Vav' was an "outstanding example of a subterranean stepwell construction, representing a prime example of an architectural type of water resource and storage system which is widely distributed across the Indian subcontinent."
The dossier, which has been given to the UNESCO, was prepared by K.C. Nauriyal, who previously worked with the ASI. Debashish Nayak, a member of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation's Heritage Cell, said that Rani ki Vav gives the message of sustainability of water and craftmanship.
Pointing out that currency notes are an important medium of communication, Ahmedabad-based sociologist Gaurang Jani said that Rani ki Vav is a link between the past and present day Gujarat. The move, according to him, will enable lots of people to understand this rich heritage.
Welcoming the move, Jani says that it would be good if such a series was started, but, at the same time, it remains questionable if only Rani ki Vav, from PM Modi's home state, is projected.
One thing is certain. Once the new currency note is out, footfalls to the place would increase. After all, the Vav looks so magificant even in the motif.
Patan, about 125 kilometres from Ahmedabad, is famous for its handwoven patolas. And then there is a famous song in Gujarati: Chelaji Re Mare Hatu Patan Thi Patoda Mongha Lavjo... (Husband, get costly patolas for me from Patan).