A few paces from the famous Toorji Ka Jhalra, down a narrower lane that most visitors miss, sits this smaller stepwell. Built by one of the royal concubines in the 18th century, it was never given the public prominence of Toorji — which perhaps explains why it has been only partially restored and retains more of the moss and silence of a place that has been waiting for centuries to be rediscovered.
The steps drop in the same geometric progression as its famous neighbor, but here the stonework is rougher, the water darker, and the surrounding lanes quieter. In the mornings, a few local women still come here. If Toorji Ka Jhalra feels like a set piece, Mahila Baag Jhalra feels like the real thing — which is exactly what it is.