An open well is a simple hole dug into the ground to access groundwater at shallow depths. These wells are either lined with materials like bricks or left unlined and draw water from shallow water-bearing layers of soil or rock. Open wells were one of the first tools people invented to access groundwater, allowing communities to settle away from rivers by tapping into underground water sources. Originally, open wells were mostly used for farming. Later, they came to be applied as an easy source of water for all other household requirements also. In India, these open wells have been good contributors in water conservation, especially during drought periods or water scarcity. Besides the utility, many ancient Indian wells were constructed so aesthetically that they became pieces of art. India’s history with open wells goes back thousands of years, with some wells dating to the Indus Valley Civilization (3300–1700 BCE). During medieval times, many civilizations incorporated artistic ...