Where Was Ring Well Found?

Ring wells have been discovered in several parts of India, primarily in archaeological sites dating back to the Mauryan period (4th–2nd century BCE) and later historical phases. These structures were cylindrical wells made using terracotta rings stacked on top of one another and were primarily used for water management, sanitation, and possibly ritualistic purposes.

Major Locations Where Ring Wells Have Been Found

Location	State	Historical Period	Significance
Sancharnati	Uttar Pradesh	Mauryan Period (4th BCE)	Early usage for sanitation and water drainage
Nalanda	Bihar	Gupta & Pala Periods	Found near monastic complexes; used for waste
Sarnath	Uttar Pradesh	Mauryan to Gupta Period	Found near monasteries and dwellings
Arikamedu	Tamil Nadu	1st century BCE to 2nd CE	Trade port; ring wells found near houses
Sopara (Nala Sopara)	Maharashtra	3rd century BCE onwards	Ancient port city; ring wells used domestically
Amaravati	Andhra Pradesh	Satavahana Period	Found near Buddhist stupas and habitations
Kausambi	Uttar Pradesh	Mauryan Period	Ring wells linked to urban infrastructure

Why Were Ring Wells Used?

Ring wells were used for multiple purposes:

Ventilation or Pit Toilets: In certain interpretations.

Drainage and Waste Disposal: Especially in densely populated monastic or urban areas.

Water Drawing: For domestic use.

Ritual Use: In some Buddhist and Jain complexes.

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