Bengal vernacular architecture of rural Bengal

A research presentation of Bengal Vernacular Architecture. This Research looks into the Mud architecture of rural bengal

1. RURAL BENGAL VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE
a study

2. Introduction
Vernacular architecture of a place is a reflection of
local culture; Henry Glassie mentioned, “Buildings,
like poems and rituals, realize culture” (Vernacular
Architecture, Henry Glassie). To understand a place’s
culture and heritage it is integral to study its rural
vernacular architecture.

India is a diverse country with many distinguishable
regional vernacular arts and architectures. Of these,
the vernacular architecture of the Bengal Plain is very
significant for its long standing influence on the
architecture of the rest of India, as well as the world.
Vernacular architecture represents the heritage of a
place, by reflecting its traditional forms and values
that are fundamental to the locals’ culture; hence, the
influences that formed Bengali vernacular
architecture have a very rich history. It possesses
distinct characteristics in regards to planning, use of
materials and location. With the British colonization
of Bengal, Bengali vernacular architecture became an
international influence.

Like urban architecture, vernacular rural architecture
is subject to evolution; Bengal has clung to many its
traditions and use of locally available materials.
Although materials did not change until late
nineteenth century since then vernacular architecture
of Bengal changed along with time to fulfill the
demand of the user. At the same time planning
concept was constant. The aim of this research is to
investigate natural design principles of the vernacular
architecture in Ganges plains of West Bengal and its
influences.

1 2

3. Availability of local materials and economy developed different kinds of house in
Bengal such as mud house, bamboo house etcetera. Many designer are now
interested in adapting vernacular features to modern design but because of little
understanding about vernacular architecture such attempts has limited success
so far. This study can help to convey a good understanding by analyzing different
types of vernacular house in Ganges plains of West Bengal and their influence on
other architectural developments.

3 4
Image-1 A hut with thatch roof
in Uttar Thakurchak Village
Image-2 The Sana beach resort
project at Mandarmani was a
recent attempt to adapt
vernacular feature in a modern
resort but the semi circular
thatch roof had to be
readjusted for sufficient rain
water drainage

4. Objective
The Objective of this study is twofold. First to explore
the architectural pattern and variations of the vernacular
architecture of rural Bengal depending on social classes,
geographic region, available materials and second is to
document the systematic observations. This research
will also explore the construction details and spatial
pattern depending on usage.
Geography of Bengal
Bengal, extending from Darjeeling in the lap of
Himalayas in the north to the coast of the Bay of Bengal
has a unique position. Politically this land is divided in
two major parts the independent country ‘Bangladesh’
and the state of ‘West Bengal’ in India. West Bengal
occupied the top position among the provinces of India
in respect of rich heritage and diversity of folk cultures
and customs. The state is village oriented. Although
Kolkata, the state capital, is one of the largest cities of
the world, sixty three percent people of West Bengal live
in villages, which is more than the national average of
sixty one percent (2011 census). Geographically the
state is on the eastern bottleneck of India, stretching
from the Himalayas in the north to the Bay of Bengal in
the south. The state has a total area of 88,752 square
kilometers (34,267 sq mi). River Gages divides West
Bengal in two parts; North Bengal and southern part of
West Bengal. Geographically this southern part can be
subdivided in five regions 1. Rarh, 2. Ganges delta, 3.
Sundarbans, 4. Coastal plain and 5. Western plateau and
high lands. The climate is primarily hot and humid with
an average rainfall of 1500-1800mm per year. Ganges
delta forms a major part of this land. The delta is
primarily low lying plane made of alluvial soil, highly
fertile and known for rice cultivation.
5 6
WEST BENGAL BANGLADESH TRIPURA
Map of West Bengal

5. Significance of Bengal Vernacular Architecture
Bengal is known as a land of plenty. The fertile land
and sufficient rain produces good harvest and thus
easy life for Bengalis. Lots of leisure helped to develop
rich art and culture. Though sublime, this folk art and
culture influenced the world significantly. The humble
rural huts with their interesting form had an influence
on the architecture of other parts of India for long.
Starting from Jor Bangla temple of Bishnupur to many
temples and palaces of Agra, Delhi and Rajasthan
adopted the typical inverted boat shaped roof of
Bengal rural architecture. But the most significant
influence was the development of Bungalows and
influence on urban architecture of Kolkata.

7 8
A double storey mud
house at Barala

6. Bungalows were British adaptation of Bengal rural
huts which became popular with time and spread
across the globe. In the book The bungalow: the
production of a global culture, Antony D. King
mentioned that “The Bungalow, both in name and
form, originated in India, a fact more easily recognized
since the creation of Bangladesh. Yet though the
name was given by India – from the Hindi or Mahratti
Bangla, meaning ‘of or belonging to Bengal”.
Bungalow is considered as a European architecture
but it was developed by the close cultural interaction
between natives of Bengal and Europeans living there,
who adopted and adapted a native indigenous mode
of shelter for their own living. Later this unique
architecture was transported to other parts of the
globe with British colonization and became popular
with more adoption and adaptations.

Another major influence of vernacular rural hut of
Bengal is obvious in the development of urban
architecture of Kolkata. The commonest features
adapted from Bengal vernacular architecture are the
courtyard and rap around veranda. It was not only the
visual features but the fundamental planning
strategies based on local culture which had more
influence on the urban buildings for Bengalis. To have
a better understanding of that it is important to
investigate the typical characteristics of the vernacular
architecture of this place.

9 10
Rash Mancha of Bishnupur

7. Typical characteristics of Vernacular
architecture of Ganges plain of Bengal :

In Ganges plains of Bengal, huts are usually built
around a central courtyard (Uthan). This central
courtyard serves the purpose of many daily
household activities as an example drying and
storage of harvest, playing area for children and
often cooking. Huts around this courtyard are
disjointed to allow wind flow but placed in a
manner to provide privacy.

In rural Bengal a homestead is the habitat of an
extended family where each separate dwelling
unit within is the habitat of individual family
members. Although, reasons for it are not
mentioned the historical accounts of housing in
this region indicate the continuity of this
pattern from earlier times (King, 1984). Possibly
the warm and humid climate of Bengal needs
separate buildings to maximize cross-
ventilation, which is difficult to achieve in larger
buildings with many rooms attached together.

Considering these factors a typical vernacular
rural Bengal homestead can be subdivided in
two principal sub units 1) The Courtyard and 2)
huts around it.
11 12
The bed room
Basil plant
Guest
room
Kitchen
Uthan
Basil plant
Guest
room
Kitchen
Uthan
The bed room
Sketches showing
different parts of
a typical rural bengal
homestead

8. The Courtyard:

Anthony King mentioned in his study of the bungalow
form that “In other regions of India, single households
are frequently accommodated in single dwellings,
separated into rooms or spaces…Whether the
multiplication of the single, simple hut in the Bengal
peasant household resulted from structural
limitations of bamboo building materials or other
cultural factors is not clear.” A possible explanation for
this open courtyard development may be climatic
adaptation. As Bengal is in the humid region, small
buildings scattered to allow air movement between
them can help to maximize the effects of any available
breeze.

K. Iftekhar Ahmed mentioned that in a rural Bengal
homestead extension of a homestead is not
accomplished by extending the dwelling units other
than some small additions. With the increasing need
new structures are built around the courtyard. Thus, a
rural homestead usually consists of several one to two
roomed huts. Although individual huts are isolated,
they are arranged in close proximity with small gaps in
between with their long sides facing the courtyard.
Thus the courtyard forms an obvious and defined
rectangular introverted space. This organization of a
set of isolated huts around a courtyard behaves as a
unit. Although isolated these individual huts work as a
group because of the inter-relationships of their
functions and the inherent concept that these
separate buildings are actually rooms forming a larger
unit of the home.

13 14
Courtyard of a
Rural homestead
at
Uttar Thakurchak

9. Types of Courtyard:
K. Iftekhar Ahmed mentioned four principal types
of courtyard arrangements which have been
documented so far. First type forms at the
beginning of establishing a homestead, a single
dwelling unit, usually built facing a front yard with
an outdoor kitchen. Although this does not
represent a courtyard typology, it is the initial
stage of homestead formation. Later it develops
incrementally into more elaborate arrangements
as in the other documented courtyard types.
Second type consists of multiple isolated buildings
belonging to a single household comprised of a
main dwelling unit with kitchen store and other
ancillary structures around a courtyard. This type
is often an incremental development of the first
type. Third type is a result of further incremental
development as new households are formed
gradually with the growth of family. With the
incremental growth a ‘common’ courtyard is
formed, often requiring extension of the courtyard
and relocation of ancillary structures. The the
fourth type is a most elaborate arrangement.
15 16
A single dwelling unit built facing a
front yard
Multiple dwelling units built
gradually two form a private
courtyard
Multiple dwelling units built
gradually to enclose the courtyard,
Narrow alleys between huts used
as entry…
Often the nearby homesteads with
courtyards merges to form a
bigger courtyard
Often boundary walls are build to
provide privacy from abating road,
Hindu homesteads usually have a
basil plant inside the courtyard.
Basil plant
Stage1.
Stage2.
Stage3.

10. The fourth type is an arrangement of interlocking
courtyards with open passageways linking different
households. This shows a typical extension of the
household over space with the growth of family. The
homestead is extended into adjacent land and
buildings around new courtyards are built. The space
between buildings serves as passageways connecting
the courtyards. The third and fourth type of
developments happens from expansion of the
homestead and the extended family where kin
sharing common courtyards.
As seclusion of women is less prevalent In Hindu
communities, more open arrangement of interlocking
courtyards can be found there (Hasan, 1987). In
Hindu communities, often the corners of the
courtyards merge with each other forming almost a
large contiguous multi-sided courtyard. There are
some other types of courtyards documented by
Chowdhury (1992) which includes adjacent, walled
and multiple courtyards. The adjacent courtyard is a
large contiguous multi-sided courtyard where two or
more sets of unrelated extended families build
houses along the periphery of adjoining courtyards.
Usually walled and multiple courtyards are common
in large and relatively wealthy families.
17 18
A single dwelling unit built facing a
front yard , Multiple dwelling units
built gradually two form a private
courtyard

Multiple dwelling units built
gradually two enclosing the
courtyard, Narrow alleys between
huts used as entry…
Often the nearby homesteads with
courtyards merges to form a
bigger courtyard

11. 21 22
Functional aspect of Courtyard:
In this warm climate, the courtyard serves multiple purposes like processing
agricultural food grains, making household artifacts, drying clothes, cooking, as
a play area for children etcetera. Social events such as weddings and some
religious ceremonies often takes place in the courtyard. Although the courtyard
is often used for various daytime activities K. Iftekhar Ahmed mentioned, “it is
uncommon to sleep in the courtyard despite the hot-humid climate for fear of
evil spirits or assault, because although visually private, the courtyard has a
sense of openness and is easily accessible from the outside”. As most of the
men go away to work in the fields or outside the homestead, during day, the
courtyard is the territory of women, aged and children. Besides different
household activities, during the daytime women of a neighborhood often visits
each other or gather in a common courtyard to spend time. Adult males mostly
are present during meals and sleeping.
Children playing at a homestead courtyard at Uttar thakurchak

Courtyards at Jalangi often used for drying food grains, store those and as a meeting place for
women of a neighborhood

12. 19 20
Cultural aspect of Courtyard:

From the cultural point of view the courtyard is the
private inner domain of women; hence various
measures are followed to maintain seclusion for
modesty of women. As documented by Chowdhury
(1992), there are various types of entry to the
courtyard. The entry to a courtyard is always
indirect to obstruct the view into courtyard from
outside. Moreover indirect entry is less intrusive,
which assists in maintaining privacy allowing
preparation or warning before entry. Vegetation
and screens are used additionally to ensure privacy
and shade. The arrangement of huts with the long
sides facing courtyard creates small gaps or
passages between the buildings which links the
courtyard to outside. Gaps not used for circulation
are usually blocked off with vegetation from
outside view. Some behavioral adjustments also
help to maintain the privacy of women. As K.
Iftekhar Ahmed mentioned “when male members
of not very close kin are sometimes admitted into
the courtyard, it is preceded by warnings such as
clearing the throat, singing, calling, etc to alert the
women within the homestead to adjust behavior
and adopt modesty, such as covering the head and
withdrawing inside the buildings”.


Multiple dwelling units built
gradually to enclose the courtyard,
Narrow alleys between huts used
as entry…

13. In Muslim homestead there is a gender division and
use of space according to Islamic ideals of purdah. The
outer area near the main entry of the homestead
belongs to men with often a structure for male
gatherings built there. Hasan (1987) documented that
in case of some large wealthy homestead an outer
court is used primarily by men. Unrelated men usually
do not enter a courtyard directly; they are usually
received in the front area of the homestead. There are
specific codes of behavior even for the male family
members, relating to the concept of female modesty.
Men usually avoid kitchen and do not enter without
warning. Other than that usually dark at dawn or
evening are specifically allocated time periods for
female to use toilet, so men avoid these timings. The
time-specific use of a space according to the period of
the day, or time zoning, is a common strategy of
gender-based willful avoidance. One basis of time
zoning reflects in the local lifestyle; where men spend
most of the day out of the homestead whereas women
spend time within the private sanctum of bounded
courtyard of the homestead.
Although gender-specific use of space is less rigorous in
Hindu communities, but leaving some small differences
the courtyard pattern is similar. The courtyard pattern
can be considered as a regional typology suitable to
local patterns of outdoor activity. In Hindu homesteads
holy basil plant in a planter is commonly placed in the
courtyard and the courtyard is maintained well by daily
sweeping and plastered frequently every few days with
a mixture of mud and cow dung. Unlike Muslim
families this cleanliness is more like a religious practice
in Hindu homestead. Because of this perhaps, as K.
Iftekhar Ahmed mentioned according to local
observers, courtyards in Muslim homesteads are not
maintained as well as in Hindu homesteads.
23 24
Storage of food grains is often a
principal feature at a rural
courtyard

14. Huts around the courtyard:

A rural homestead usually consists of several one to
two roomed isolated huts, which are arranged in close
proximity with small gaps in between with their long
sides facing the courtyard. Huts usually have a high
plinth. The rooms are built as a central core with
surrounding verandah. The walls are generally made
of mud. Where the mud is not suitable for this
purpose, walls are constructed of bunches of straw or
mats, tied to each other and to the bamboo frame to
form walls. Often the mat wall is plastered with cow
dung and clay. The roof is usually thatched with a
distinctively curved form. Besides thatch corrugated
metal, asbestos sheets and terracotta tiles are often
used as roofing material. The frame of a Bengal hut is
typically constructed of bamboo, though wood posts
are often used in the houses of wealthy people. In
case of multistory the trunk of palm tree is often used
as beam. The distinctive parts of a rural Bengal hut
are;
1.plinth,
2.veranda,
3.room, and
4.roof.
25 26
Courtyard of Kaluruddin Sk at
Uttar thakurchak

15. Plinth:
Huts usually have a high plinth. Usually soil obtained
from a pond is used for raising the land. Besides
working as a raised platform the plinth is often used
as a shelter for poultry birds by creating void under it.
27 28
Plinth protection with brickwork
The plinth of Jalaluddin Gaji’s Hut is used as a shelter for poultry
birds, semi out door kitchen and space for general gathering

16. Veranda:
The thatched roof generally extended beyond the
walls to cover the surrounding verandah which
provides additional shelter from the rains. In case of
a hut in isolation verandah raps around the central
core but if few huts are placed in vicinity then often
the verandah is placed on two sides of the usable
room. The courtyard facing verandah is used as a
semi covered family space. The verandah on the
other side is often used as a storage area or as a
shop if it is facing a road.
29 30
A verandah at Uttarthakurchak

17. Room:
The room in the central core usually has door and
windows as openings. In case of mud wall the lintel
is made of split bamboo structure. The openings
usually have wooden door and window frame and
panels to close them. The panels usually fold from
the side. In case of bamboo mat walls the window
panels are shut by a hurdle (jhanp) which is tied to
the upper part of the window and either propped
open or left down to shut the window. Floors are
made of mud.

To raise the plinth soil is usually harvested from a
pond where as the mud walls for room are
constructed with the soil usually stripped from the
top layer of a harvesting field containing more clay.
The sticky character of clay helps to form better
bond. Chopped straws are often used as
reinforcement. The construction technique vary with
region but is often done by placing mud blocks layer
by layer; and the typical placing strategy helps to
form the bonding. The principal walls are usually
thick, often twenty inches to two feet. The partition
walls are made with less detail and those are often
not thicker than twelve inches.

In case of a mat walled building bamboo is
commonly used as a structural post and the mat is
attached with that by coconut fiber ropes.
31 32
Bedroom of Kaluruddin Sk

18. Roof:
Earlier the roofs were primarily made of thatch, but
now terracotta tiles and corrugated metal and
asbestos sheets are often used. In case of thatch
roof there were three main variations in the shape.
Inverted boat shaped distinctively curved roof was
the most common feature which often illustrated in
travelers’ accounts and drawings. The curved shape
helped in faster drainage of rain water from the
lower part of roof ensuring uniform rainwater
stagnancy at each part of the roof and the lack of
ridges at the joints of each slope, may have made it
slightly less vulnerable to leaking in the rainy season.
In some huts roof had four sloped faces joining at
the apex to form a pyramid. In cases sides of
unequal length, the longer sides of the roof joined to
form a ridge line. In the third form the roof was
divided into two sections with a clerestory between
for light and ventilation with a clear advantage in a
hot humid climate, where breeze is at a premium
and indirect day lighting is ideal.
33 34
Different roof types in Ganges
plain of West Bengal

19. Materials and construction methods:
Rumana Rashid mentioned that availability of local
material and economy divides the traditional
houses of Bengal in two primary divisions 1)Katcha
house, 2) Semi-Pukka House. Kutcha houses are
made of totally organic materials such as bamboo,
mud, jute and catkin grass etc. whereas Semi-Pukka
houses are made of with some organic and
inorganic materials such as steel house, wooden
house etcetera.

In a Kutcha house walls are made of Organic
materials like mud, jute stick, catkin grass, straw,
bamboo mats. Bamboo is often used for framing.
In all cases the plinth is made of mud whereas the
roofing materials may be either thatch, terracotta
tiles or a combination of these. In case of Semi-
Pukka House besides organic materials often metal
and bricks are used.
This research will focus on the materials and
construction details of Kucha houses. Depending on
the materials of wall the kutcha house can be sub
divided in 1)Mud House and 2) Thatch House.
35 36
Different Construction techniques
of mud wall construction

20. Mud house
In case of a mud house the earthen plinth is raised with the
soil excavated from the pond. The earthen plinth requires
frequent maintenance as it is extremely vulnerable and
often gets damaged even in a low intensity flood. In case of
high intensity flood, earthen plinths often get completely
washed off requiring rebuilding. To protect the plinth often
brick plinth protection is arranged with burnt brick or with a
capping of cement stabilized earth. Complete stabilized
earth plinth is more expensive than these but the results are
more durable. Cement stabilization of the typical earthen
plinth can be carried out with a mixture of earth and
cement where the proportion of cement depends on the
nature of the soil.

The construction type of earthen wall varies with the region.
Floodwater can cause serious damage to monolithic
construction. In case of monolithic construction if the base
gets affected, the entire structure is liable to collapse.
Earthen walls with an internal framework works better in
flood prone areas, as the building remains standing and can
be repaired even if the earth cover is washed away. So in
flood prone areas internal structural framework of either
treated bamboo or timber is essential for mud houses. On
top of structural framework mud is used as plaster. Adding
cement to the mud plaster stabilizes it and allows resisting
erosion.

Roof is usually made of thatch but often terracotta tiles,
asbestos and also C.I. sheet roof with wooden or bamboo
framework. The roof needs to be of strong, durable and
water-resistant design. Fibrous thatching material, such as
catkin grass, rice straw, palm fronds, wheat, maize or
sugarcane leaves needs to be soaked in preservative
solution for only 12 hours.


37 38
Construction techniques of
mud wall by Kaluruddin Sk

21. Stages of Mud hut construction
To built homestead land is raised by soil excavated
from a pond
Plinth is raised higher than the flood level, in
Muslim houses of south 24 parganas often avoid
space is provided within the plinth for poultry
birds.
Plinth protection is provided. Various insects,
including worms, termites and ants, and also
rodents and birds tend to burrow into earthen
walls and establish their habitats. This can weaken
earthen plinths and walls substantially.
Bamboo or wooden frame is made for wall
Wall is constructed with soil excavated from the
top layer of harvesting field, Termite shield is used
if walls are not load bearing and do not require
connection to the plinth.
Lintels are provided with split bamboo structures
for door and window openings and cupboards.
Bamboo or wood structure for roof is made which
projects beyond the veranda to protect the wall
The roof structure is supported on bamboo posts
and not on the earthen wall
Roof is covered with either thatch or terracotta
tiles or CI sheet
A false ceiling is made either by bamboo mat or
cloth

39 40
Stages of mud hut construction

22. 41 42
High Maintenance Requirement
Earthen plinth and walls require regular maintenance, especially during the wet
season. This attitude of regular maintenance has become a ritual to local people. I K
Ahmed mentioned, In Hindu homesteads, the courtyard and huts are daily
maintained, usually in the morning, by sweeping and plastered frequently every few
days with a mixture of mud and cow dung. “This Hindu traditional practice of
courtyard maintenance is believed to bestow well-being on the family, failing which
may bring bad fortune. A similar practice is followed also in Muslim communities.”
Different Construction techniques
of mud wall construction

23. 43 44
Mud
Wall
Mud finish
Mud and straw
mix floor Split bamboo mat
Bamboo Support
floor
Beam of
Palm Trunk
Corrugated
metal roof
Beam of Palm Trunk
Beam of Palm Trunk
Beam of Palm Trunk
Bamboo Support
floor
Bamboo Support
floor
Often
Construction technique of the
upper floor of a double storey mud
Hut

24. 43 44
Staircase and Decorations in
the house of Hasu Sk

25. Bamboo house
In case of bamboo houses there can be either earth plinth
or bamboo stilts. The earthen plinth is more common and
requires construction details similar to mud house. In
high flood- prone areas, houses are often built- on wooden
or bamboo platform (machan). In dry season the space
below the machan is used as a storage area.

Treatment of bamboo
In Bamboo houses walls are typically made of bamboo
mat with bamboo or timber posts. Bamboo is treated
well before used for construction. Local term for the
treatment of bamboo is ‘Pochano’ (rotting). For
treatment bamboo are submerged in water for about six
to ten weeks to remove saps and starch. This method
increases the durability of bamboo, according to a local
belief, by 10 years. It is believed that since starch is
soluble in water, by submerging the starch gets dissolved.
Advantages
1. Safe and effective non- technical approach.
2. Economical.
3. Time tested treatment method.
Limitations
1. Leaving bamboo for about 6 weeks under water was
not always safe.
2. Time consuming.
3. Very resource consuming when done in a large scale.
4. Transportation to the water source is not always easy.
Other than bamboo often other organic materials like
jute stick, catkin grass are used for wall construction.
Strong flood can destroy bamboo mat wall panels and
wash them away especially if the connections to posts are
weak.
43 44
Stages of mud hut construction

26. 43 44
Stages of thatch hut construction

27. Chemical Treatment of Bamboo Mat Walls
Besides the treatment of bamboo to remove starch,
chemical treatment of the bamboo mat walls is
done by bituminous, oil etcetera. These age-old
practices of chemical treatments for increasing the
longevity of organic Materials are quite effective.
Construction of roof is similar to mud building
construction.
Stages of Bamboo hut construction
To built homestead land is raised by soil excavated
from a pond
Plinth is raised higher than the flood level, in
Muslim houses of south 24 parganas often avoid
space is provided within the plinth for poultry birds.
Plinth protection is provided. Various insects,
including worms, termites and ants, and also
rodents and birds tend to burrow into earthen walls
and establish their habitats. This can weaken
earthen plinths and walls substantially.
Bamboo or wooden frame is made for wall
Wall is constructed with treated split bamboo mat
Openings are left for door and windows.
Bamboo or wood structure for roof is made
supported on bamboo
Roof is covered with either thatch or terracotta tiles
or CI sheet
A false ceiling is made either by bamboo mat or
cloth
45 46
Stages of Thatch hut construction
in Jalangi village

28. INFLUENCE
47 48

29. Influence of Bengal vernacular architecture
The aesthetics of rural Bengal dwellings influenced many other form of
architecture. Within Bengal typical brick temples adopted the characteristic
form of the thatch roof. The inverted boat shaped thatched roof gives a typical
character which was imitated in brick construction of temples. Besides that the
famous Jor Bangla temple of Bishnupur tried to imitate the typical shape of a
Bengal hut. Besides roof these temple often had a characteristic rap around
corridor similar to Bengal rural huts.

The influence of Bengal aesthetics went even beyond the permanent structures
of Bengal. The typical roof style is often reflected in Mughal palaces and Rajput
temples.

49 50

30. Emergence of the urban courtyard houses of Kolkata
In the early years the architecture of Kolkata was marked by a distinct contrast
between the British and Indian parts of the city which reflected both
architectural preferences and socio-economic status. The British liked functional
zoning following the eighteenth century trend in Europe which was reflected in
British parts of Kolkata. Whereas in the Indian community a complex social
structure was reflected in the urban fabric which was characteristically an
intermixture of manufacturing, commerce and housing, as well as a
juxtaposition of social levels (p.23)75. Although often severely criticized by 18th
century school of thought of order and regularity in aesthetics this disorder gave
birth of many splendid architectural hybrids of the Colonial Classical taste and
traditional indigenous building practices.

Different forms and strategies of vernacular architecture were adopted and
adapted by the foreigners to suit their Colonial living style and aspirations. In his
book The Bungalow: The Production of Global Culture, Anthony King mentions
that, “The main characteristics of the developed Anglo-Indian bungalow in the
late 18th century – its free standing and single storey structure, the plinth, the
pitched, thatched roof and the verandah – are all characteristic features of the
indigenous Bengal hut, whatever addition came from the Europeans” (p.28).

51 52

31. Besides the foreigners a new educated and wealthy native class emerged who
started building great houses with an eclectic blend of Colonial taste and
traditional ideologies. The principal feature of this evolving architectural form
was a closed rectangular central courtyard surrounded by veranda and rooms
beyond that. A D. King acknowledges that this evolving domestic architecture
was based on Bengal vernacular rural homestead with its courtyard and
veranda. This primarily established the Kolkata courtyard type architecture
which addressed necessities of climatic adaptation in the city and was relevant
to its time and place.

Although Kolkata climate with intense heat, glare, torrential rains, wind and
dust typical of the tropical climate largely determined the courtyard the cultural
aspect was also equally significant. Nibedita das mentions that “The main
difference between the outwardly oriented British bungalow plan and the
inwardly rich Kolkatan dwelling is marked by their differing philosophical and
socio-cultural understandings of lifestyle”.

In the 18th century The British society had been socially much more liberal thus
no physical and visual barriers were needed to protect women whereas Hindu
and Muslim traditions supported the idea of segregated spaces for the women.
The courtyard’s introvert nature was suitable for Indian lifestyle and customs to
maintain this social distance between the sexes by providing an secured private
outdoor area for women. In The Indian Metropolis Evenson mentioned that,
“The courtyard form of dwelling was maintained among Indians for security and
also for visual privacy, because nothing could offend a native more than the
erection of an edifice overlooking the interior of that enclosure in which his
family resided” (p.67).
53 54

32. Influence on colonial architecture of non residential buildings

Similar to the residential architecture of urban Bengal the vernacular
architecture also influenced the other building typologies of Kolkata. Although
visually colonial office buildings of Kolkata reflect the aesthetics of European
architecture but often the architects adapted the strategies of Bengal vernacular
architecture. This adoption and adaptation of Bengal vernacular architecture
within British colonial architecture of Kolkata formed a new architectural
language which later spread to other parts of British Empire. The commonest
influences were rap around corridors and protection from sun and rain etcetera.
But as the courtyard was more related to the culture and lifestyle of residential
spaces it was mostly abandoned in office buildings. Besides that the
architecture of Bengal hut developed a new form of architecture, ‘Bungalow’,
which later spread all over the world.
55 56

33. BUNGALOWS
57 58

34. Influence of Bengal vernacular in the development of Bungalows:
In the middle of the eighteenth

century with the growth of British political
influence, British settlements also developed in India. To counter the challenges
of a climate very different from their own, the British settlers adopted and
adapted many of the traditional local architecture. This adoption and adaptation
of the native architecture to suit the British concept of comfort developed a
new building form, commonly known as the bungalow. To improve climatic
response this new architecture incorporated many traditional Indian strategies.
Initially Bungalows used to be built from natural local materials utilizing
vernacular solutions for maximizing natural ventilation and shade to achieve
environmental comfort and providing protection from the heavy monsoon rains.

Vernacular Influences in a Bungalow
The British architectural strategies which were developed for the climatic
adaptations of their own temperate climate were not applicable in hot humid
Bengal environment. The traditional English country house or cottage model
which was built as a tightly closed box to minimize drafts was sensible in a cold
climate, but inappropriate in hot humid climate where interior spaces rather
need profuse ventilation. Moreover the traditional band of large South- facing
windows in England to allowed valuable warmth from the sun in winter months,
was also totally inappropriate in the hot and relentlessly sunny Bengal climate
where the sun’s glare needed be controlled.
59 60

35. Influence of Bengal vernacular in the development of Bungalows:
Initially the British settlers in India were concerned with trade and security
rather than long-term settlement, so they did not developed a suitable building
model for Bengal climate. Later as the British settlers moved out of the factories
and military camps to settle in this country, they needed a form of affordable
and reasonably comfortable dwelling that could be built with the local material,
technology and labor. Moreover the settlers were mostly dependent on local
labors, so much of the form was adopted from the local vernacular tradition.
The new architecture not only adopted the form and strategies of Bengal
vernacular architecture but it also adopted the name. The traditional Bengali
dwelling provided a model for the British bungalow designs which were usually
referred to as ‘bangla’ (or ‘banggolo’). This very name of ‘Bangla’ was gradually
transformed into Bungalow which is now a common term across globe.
61 62

36. CASE STUDIES
63 64

37. The residence of Kaluruddin Sk
PLAN
BED
ROOM
STORAGE
BED
ROOM
BED
ROOM
VERANDAH
CATTLE
SHED
WORKSHOP
POULTRY
SHED
ROAD
COURT
YARD
KITCHEN
ROAD
01'3'5'
N
65 66
Plan and sketch image of
Kaluruddin Sk

38. The residence of Kaluruddin Sheikh
BED
ROOM
STORAGEBED
ROOM
BED
ROOM
ROAD
ROAD
ELEVATION
SECTION
01'3'5'
67 68

39. 29'
17'-10"
7"
7'-4" 1'-2" 12'-3" 1'-2"4'-9"
1'-2"
1'-2"
10'-4"
1'-2"
5'-6"
2'-4"
1'-9"
2'-8"
1'-9"
1'
3'-4"
10"
1'-7"
1'
4'-3"
ROAD SHOP BED
ROOM
KITCHEN
ROAD VERANDAH KITCHEN
VERANDAH
PLAN
ELEVATION
01'3'5'N
The residence of Jalaluddin Gaji
70 69

40. 45'-4"
20'-7"
1'-8"
6'-10"
1'-8"
11'-8"
1'-8"
11'-8"
1'-8"
6'-10"
1'-8"
1'-8"1'-8"1'-8"
10'-5"
1'-8"
6'-10"
1'-4" 1'-4" 1'-4" 1'-4"
1'-9"
1'-9"
ELEVATION
PLAN
The residence of Jalaluddin Gaji
73 74

41. Residence of Hasu Sk
2'-7"
2'-7"
8'
2'-7"
5'-1"
3'
GROUND FLOOR PLAN
ELEVATION
01'3'5'
N
9' 2'-7" 9'-5" 2'-7"
75 76

42. Residence of Mr. Rabi Ul Islam
77 78

43. 20'-6"
1'
8'
2'-6"
6"
6"
2'
6'
1'
2'-6" 14'-3" 2'-6" 13'-4" 2'-6" 13'-4" 2'-6" 14'-3" 2'-6"
5'-10" 1'-2" 1'-2"
1'-2"
5'-2"
1'-2"
1'-2"
5'-2"
1'-2"
5'-10"
5'-8"
2'-6" 6'-10"
1'-8"
6'
1'-8"
8'-6"
1'-8"
10' 8'-6"
1'-8"
6'
1'-8"
6'-10" 2'-6"
9'
7'-3"
1'-8"
8'-6"
8'-6"
2'-6" 14'-3" 2'-6" 13'-4" 13'-4" 2'-6" 14'-3" 2'-6"
5'-10" 1'-2" 1'-2"
1'-2"
5'-2"
1'-2"
1'-2"
5'-2"
1'-2"
5'-10"
5'-8"
9'
GROUND FLOOR PLAN
FIRST FLOOR PLAN
ELEVATION
SECTION A-A
A AA A
01'3'5'
N
6"
6"
2'
6'
79 80

44. Residence of Mr. Nani Gopal
83 84

45. 1'-8"9'-6"
1'-7"
9'-7" 1'-8"
7'-6"
4'-10" 4'-10"
6'-6"
6'-6"
7'-4"
7'-4"
7'-4"
3'-7"
1'-8"9'-6"
1'-7"
9'-7" 1'-8"
7'-6"
4'-10" 4'-10"
6'-6"
6'-6"
1'-8"9'-6"
1'-7"
9'-7" 1'-8"
7'-6"
4'-10" 4'-10"
6'-6"
6'-6"
1'-8"9'-6"
1'-7"
9'-7" 1'-8"
7'-6"
4'-10" 4'-10"
6'-6"
6'-6"
GROUND FLOOR PLAN
FIRST FLOOR PLAN
ELEVATION
01'3'5'N
85 86

46. 87 88

47. A residence at Mr. Jarahim Sk (Barala)
89 90
2'-2" 4'
7"
1'-9"
1'-4"
4'-5"
1'-7" 9'
1'-7"
11'
1'-7"
9'-5"
7'-3"
2'-2" 7"
1'-9" 4'-5"
1'-7" 9'
1'-7"
11'
1'-7"
9'-5"
7'-3"
4'-5"
4'-5"
7'-7"
GROUND FLOOR PLAN
FIRST FLOOR PLAN
01'3'5'
N

48. 93 94
Elevation

49. Mrs. Tanjara Bibi
95 96

50. 2'-6" 15'-3" 2'-6" 13'-4" 2'-6" 2'-6" 15'-3" 2'-6" 13'-4" 2'-6"
6'-5"
9'-4"
9'-4"
6'
4'-1"
6'
4'-1"
6'-5"
1'-1"
16'-5"
10'-4"
7'-8"
1'
1'-6"
4'-10"
97 98

51. THANK YOU
99 100