Surrounded by narrow lanes and centuries-old buildings, Toorji ka Jhalra lies hidden within Jodhpur’s bustling old quarter. It was submerged for decades but has been restored and now offers a glimpse into the water engineering of 18th-century Rajasthan.

Stepwells like this were designed not only to store water but to create cooler microclimates in the desert. The tiered steps allowed people to reach water at any level and doubled as shaded social spaces in the heat.