Toorji Ka Jhalra (“the step of Toorji”) is a three-hundred-year-old stepwell standing beautifully in the heart of the city of Jodhpur in Rajasthan. This architectural wonder was built by a queen, Raani Tawarji, consort to Maharaja Abhaya Singh, at a time when royal women were in charge of overseeing the public water works. Stepwells like this one were traditionally built in drought-prone regions of India to provide water all year round, ensuring communities had access to vital water storage and irrigation systems. Clad in stone, they would offer respite from the desert sun and became a place for cultural gatherings for villagers. Yet, as modern running water systems eclipsed their importance, town planners largely ignored their value and centuries of neglect pushed these structures into oblivion. In recent years, many ancient stepwells have been restored and revived to help tackle India’s acute water problem while enabling people to reclaim their traditional resources and spaces of community life. Today, after major restoration works, the water in Toorji Ka Jhalra is so clean that you’ll see plenty of fish swimming, and locals enjoying a dip or a dive. Video of Toorji ka Jhalra, Jodhpur, Rajasthan by Conor Burke (@conorwburke)