Stepwell architecture and community water governance in medieval western India (800–1700 CE): an Indigenous knowledge systems approach to SDG-6

Water scarcity remains a critical global challenge, with over two billion people lacking access to safely managed drinking water, threatening progress toward the United Nations’ sixth Sustainable Development Goal for universal access to water and sanitation. While contemporary water governance predominantly relies on centralized technological solutions, increasing attention is being directed toward indigenous knowledge systems as sustainable, decentralized, and context-specific alternatives. This study examines stepwell architecture (vav/baoli) in medieval western India (800–1700 CE) as an integrated socio-technical system combining hydraulic engineering, community-based governance, and cultural practices. Adopting a mixed-methods approach, the study draws upon architectural analysis, historical records, and comparative case studies of Rani ki Vav, Adalaj Vav, and Chand Baori. It applies Elinor Ostrom's Common Pool Resource framework alongside indigenous knowledge theory to analyze institutional and ecological dimensions. The findings indicate that stepwells functioned as decentralized water governance systems characterized by participatory management and ecological sustainability, with governance structures at all three sites persisting across dynastic transitions and political change. The study's contributions include advanced hydro-engineering techniques, governance structures that satisfy Ostrom's design principles across centuries, and strong alignment with global water and sanitation targets, particularly water efficiency and community participation.