Manchar (Pune): Historic ‘Pandava-Era’ Stepwell Removed from Waqf Records After Sustained Local Campaign and Hindutva Efforts.

Hridya Bharti | HENB | Mumbai | April 1, 2026:: In a significant administrative development in Manchar, a historic stepwell—locally known as a ‘Barav’ and widely believed by residents to trace its origins back to the Pandava era, before being reconstructed in the 12th century—has been officially removed from the records of the Waqf Board following sustained protests and representations by local citizens and Hindutva activists.

The Revenue Department annulled what was described as an “illegal entry” that had earlier brought the stepwell and its surrounding land under Waqf classification. The structure, located in Ambegaon taluka near Nighotwadi Gram Panchayat, is regarded by locals as an important symbol of the region’s ancient cultural and historical legacy.

Administrative Action After Mounting Pressure

The issue had gained momentum after claims emerged that nearly four acres of land around the stepwell had been encroached upon, with the Waqf Board’s name appearing in official land records. Local residents and community leaders consistently demanded that the classification be reviewed and the land restored to government ownership.

The matter drew political attention when Medha Kulkarni, the local BJP MP, visited the site and staged a protest, raising concerns about alleged encroachment and the need to protect the historically significant structure.

Following growing pressure, the Revenue Department conducted a review and ordered the removal of the Waqf entry. The land has now been reinstated in the government’s 7/12 land records, restoring its official status.

Press Conference Highlights Significance of Victory

A press conference was held in Manchar to mark the development and outline the significance of the decision. The event was attended by several local dignitaries, including former BJP Taluka President Sandeep Bankhele, Mahesh Pingale, Ganesh Bankhele, and Chaitanya Mahajan, along with office-bearers from various organizations.

Addressing the gathering, local BJP leader Pramod Bankhele described the decision as a major step in protecting heritage. He emphasized that the outcome reflects both administrative responsiveness and sustained public effort.

Call for Archaeological Conservation

In the aftermath of the decision, local representatives have submitted a demand to Ashish Shelar, urging that the site be transferred to the state’s Department of Archaeology. The aim is to ensure structured conservation of the stepwell and the inscriptions present at the site, preventing future disputes or encroachments.

Cultural Significance and Way Forward

The Manchar Barav holds deep local significance, not only as an architectural relic but also as part of oral traditions linking it to the Pandava era, later reconstructed during medieval times. For many residents, the recent decision is seen as a restoration of both administrative clarity and cultural identity.

The episode underscores the importance of maintaining accurate land records and highlights the role of local communities in safeguarding historical sites. With the immediate dispute resolved, focus is now expected to shift toward long-term preservation and recognition of the stepwell as a protected heritage structure.

Waqf Concerns Surface Also in Karnataka’s Gokak Region

Even as the Manchar development is being seen as a decisive administrative correction, a parallel situation has emerged in Gokak, where notices have been issued to nearly 650 landowners in connection with claims involving the Waqf Board. The move has drawn attention due to its scale and the concerns it has generated among local residents.

According to officials, the issue is linked to an earlier claim reportedly involving around 2,200 acres of land. In this context, the Revenue Department, through the local Revenue Inspector, has asked landowners to furnish documentary proof of ownership. Authorities have clarified that the exercise is part of a verification process aimed at scrutinizing land records rather than arriving at any immediate conclusion regarding ownership rights.

However, the issuance of notices has triggered anxiety among farmers and residents in the region. Many landowners maintain that they have been in lawful possession of their properties for decades, but some are struggling to access or produce older documents due to the passage of time. The situation has once again highlighted the complexities arising from legacy land records and historical entries, which often become the root cause of such disputes and necessitate administrative review.