Maharajah's Well, Stoke Row
© Edward Lever (view gallery)
On the left of the picture is the ornate domed canopy of Maharajah's Well and at the right, the Warden's cottage (now a private residence). The well was built from an endowment funded by the Maharajah of Benares and was opened on Queen Victoria's birthday in 1864. Image cannot be loaded
The Maharaja's Well, Stoke Row
© Roger Sweet (view gallery)
The 365 feet deep Maharaja's Well was dug in the C19 entirely by hand as a gift from the Maharajah of Benares due to his friendship with a prominent local landowner, Mr Edward Anderdon Reade. Mr Reade was Governor of the Northwest Provinces of India and during his time as Governor presented a well to the people of India. There was an absence of available water in the Stoke Row area, and the Maharajah generously reciprocated the gesture to demonstrate his feelings for England and as a token of friendship with Mr Reade. 
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The warden's cottage, Stoke Row
© Roger Sweet (view gallery)
As well as paying for the well, the Maharajah paid also for the adjacent Warden's cottage and cherry orchard, which provided a modest income for the upkeep of the well. Image cannot be loaded
Maharajah's Well at Stoke Row
© Edward Lever (view gallery)
The sight of this ornate Indian well in the Oxfordshire countryside is quite surprising. The well was completed in 1864 and was paid for by the Maharajah of Benares. Up to that time, Stoke Row did not have a good supply of drinking water. When the Maharajah heard of this from an Englishman, Mr Reade, who lived in the area, he provided funds for the well to be built. Image cannot be loaded
Maharajah's Well, Elephant
© Edward Lever (view gallery)
The picture shows a wise-looking elephant atop the winding gear at Maharajah's Well. The exotic Indian theme must have been quite challenging to some of the residents of Stoke Row at the time. Image cannot be loaded
