Losar Baoli is an old brick stepwell at the foot of the Margalla Hills, near Shah Allah Ditta on Islamabad's western edge, reached from the sector D-13 side along the Kenthla road towards Haripur. It stands on the old east to west route used by caravans and armies, and in its present form it is generally dated to the Sher Shah Suri period of the 16th century, though a well may have existed here far earlier. It is protected by the federal archaeology department and, unusually, still gives water to the people of the village.
This guide covers the baoli's history, what you will see, how to find it, and how to combine it with the Shah Allah Ditta caves in one outing.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Location | Losar, near Shah Allah Ditta, below the Margalla Hills, west Islamabad |
| Approach | From Shah Allah Ditta and D-13 along the Kenthla to Haripur road |
| Period | Present structure dated to the Suri period (16th century) |
| Built of | Dressed brick |
| Protection | Antiquities Act 1975; owned by the federal government |
| Still in use | Yes, by local residents |
| Time needed | 20 to 30 minutes, longer with the caves |
What is Losar Baoli?
A baoli is a stepwell: a well with a flight of steps leading down to the water, so that people could reach it at whatever level it stood. Losar's is built of dressed brick. The federal Department of Archaeology and Museums (DOAM) describes a staircase "with landings at intervals under four-centred arches carrying battlemented cresting", an arched and domed gateway flanked by small chambers at the entrance, and a trough for watering animals. The well shaft itself is about six feet across.
That trough tells you what the baoli was for. This was not a private well but a public stop on a road, where travellers could drink, rest in the shade of the gateway, and water horses and pack animals.
How old is it?
The structure is dated to the Mughal and Suri era. DOAM files it under 1526 to 1857 CE, and in a 2014 Dawn report the anthropologist Nadeem Omar Tarar, then director of the National College of Arts' Rawalpindi campus, put it this way: "The well has existed since ancient times, as far back as the Gandhara period, but the well in its current shape was constructed in the Sher Shah Suri period."
No inscription names a builder. What is clear is the location. Losar lies on the old route that ran along the foot of the Margallas between the Punjab plains and Taxila. Dawn notes that a mosque once stood nearby, and its remains can still be seen.
Is it still used?
Yes, which is the most striking thing about it. Both Dawn and Wikipedia report that villagers still draw water from the baoli for their daily needs, and Dawn noted in 2014 that it was well kept by the community. That makes it a working well as much as a monument.
Treat it accordingly. Do not throw anything into the water, do not climb on the walls or the gateway, and give way to anyone who has come to fetch water. If people are using it when you arrive, wait or ask before taking photographs.
How do you get to Losar Baoli?
Start from Shah Allah Ditta, the village beside sectors D-12 and D-13 at the western end of Islamabad. The baoli is reached by the Kenthla road towards Haripur, which Wikipedia notes was built in 2007, and lies a short way along it in the village of Losar. The most reliable way to find it is a map pin: DOAM gives its position as about 33.7300 N, 72.9265 E.
- Go by car or motorbike. We could not confirm any public transport to Losar.
- Park considerately in the village and walk the last part.
- Visit in daylight. We found no fixed opening hours or fee; it is an open village site.
- Dress modestly. You are in a village, beside a working water source and the remains of a mosque.
Our guide to getting around Islamabad covers ride-hailing and driving in the city if you do not have your own car.
Pair it with the Shah Allah Ditta caves
The baoli is the natural add-on to the Shah Allah Ditta caves, the rock shelters used by Buddhist monks, Hindu sadhus and later Muslim ascetics, with their old banyan trees and spring. Together they make a good late-afternoon outing: the caves first, then the baoli, with the light going gold on the Margallas behind.
If you want more history on the western side of the city, add Golra Sharif or the old caravanserai at Sarai Kharbuza. Our guide to hidden places in Islamabad has other quiet spots worth a detour.
When is the best time to go?
October to March is the most comfortable season for walking around Shah Allah Ditta. Summer afternoons in Islamabad are hot, though the trees around the caves and the baoli give some shade, and the monsoon months of July and August bring heavy showers. Our Islamabad weather by month guide has the detail.
Is Losar Baoli worth visiting?
It is worth it as part of a Shah Allah Ditta outing, not as a trip on its own. You will see a well-built Suri-era stepwell, still doing the job it was made for nearly five centuries ago, in a village setting under the hills, and it gives the caves a context: this was a road, not just a retreat.
If you are expecting a large monument like the stepwells of Rajasthan, it will feel small, and there are no facilities or signboards. For families, it works best as a short stop on the way back from the caves. Our experiences page has more ideas for Islamabad and around.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Losar Baoli?
In Losar village, near Shah Allah Ditta at the foot of the Margalla Hills, on the western edge of Islamabad, reached from the D-13 side along the Kenthla road towards Haripur.
How old is Losar Baoli?
Its present brick structure is dated to the Sher Shah Suri period in the 16th century, though experts quoted by Dawn say a well existed on the site much earlier.
Is Losar Baoli still used?
Yes. Local residents still draw water from it for daily use.
Is there an entry fee for Losar Baoli?
We found no fee or set timings. It is an open, protected village site.
Can I visit Losar Baoli and the Shah Allah Ditta caves together?
Yes. They are close to each other and make a good short outing, ideally in the late afternoon.