Ruins of Bakariya Kund

These ruins of Bakariya Kund are situated at the North West corner of the city of Varanasi. It is in the Alipore Mahalla, and can be seen from the Raj Ghat road leading from the cantonments to the Ganges. The tank of Bakariya Kund is situated about three hundred yards distant from the main road. The ruins can be seen upon the summit of its banks in the main. During the hot season very little water remains in the Kund; but, during the rainy season it holds a huge amount of water. The Kund is about five hundred and fifty feet in length, and two hundred and seventy-five in breadth.

Upon reaching the tank, one can see the foot of a high mound on the northern side. Several blocks of stone can be seen lying on top of it. On the western bank a massive breastwork formed by large stones is visible. Various mason marks have appeared upon them. A terrace can be seen at a great distance running by the side of the Kund. This terrace is twenty feet above the tank, and supports two other terraces of smaller dimensions. These are constructed one above the other, each of which is formed by a breast work of huge stones. The lower terrace is two hundred and seventy feet long and one hundred and thirty feet broad on its western face. It is three hundred and thirty on its eastern face, overlooking the tank. These terraces were earlier held up by the wall of heavy stones but this wall is, in many places, much broken down, especially towards the Kund. On the northern side about seventy feet are visible. The western wall extends two hundred and sixty-seven feet. The height of the terrace is uniform; but the height of the wall varies greatly. The reason behind this is that it is in a ruined state. Bakariya Kund has been formed in one place with a height of at least thirty feet, measured from the ground. Two small windows or doorways open through this part of the wall. Over each of these a single stone projects forming its eaves. A building can be seen upon ascending the terrace. The beams and slabs that make up the roof are almost nine feet in length. The roof is supported by three rows of immensely thick stone columns. The building is divided into two distinct sections. There are spaces between the pillars that are filled up with a mud wall.