Vernacular

Architecture Of
Punjab
 What is vernacular
architecture?
▣ use locally available resources and traditions to
address local needs.
▣ evolve over time to reflect the environmental,
cultural and historical context in which it exists.
Location

1. Climate type:
Semi arid
2. Punjab state is
divided into
three major
regions Majha,
Malwa and
Doaba.
Architectural forms
 1.
Built
forms HARAPPAN
CIVILIZATION
Rupnagar, punjab
 2.
Katcha
houses
 • Single room around a courtyard
• Open area consists of open chulla and a bathing area without roof
• Area near the entrance allocated
to the cattle
• Rooms have low height and the
katcha houses have roof made of
thatch
 3.  BIDOWALI, a

Haveli
village in
Muktsar,
Punjab
Layout

▣ Main occupation: cattle, farming

▣ No. of courtyards
▣ Outer courtyard- baithak

• gathering
Central Women’s
Baithak • Parking courtyard residential barrak
area
• tethering
PRIVATE SPACE

PUBLIC SPACE

SEMI-PUBLIC SPACE
MATERIAL
Earlier it was thin layer of mortar on bricks.
NO. OF FLOORS
No. of floor in rural areas was 2
 4.  BAGRIAN,
SANGRUR

Haveli
(MALWA)
Bagrian is a village located in Sangrur District, in Punjab
 5.  SADA PIND,
AMRITSAR

Haveli
(MAJHA)
PRIVATE SPACE

CIRCULATION

STAIRCASE
Architectural Elements
Courtyards The earthen Scale &
They don’t allow stove Proportion
direct sunlight to Secondary or A low wall with
enter the rooms primary source of am entrance
and also let the cooking defines the court
cool air in. and the scale of
house.
Lintels & Doors Construction Arches
Material: wood materials Curved arches
with iron nails; ▣ Nanak shahi used; semi
Panels and bricks circular arches; 2-
frames were also ▣ Lime & mud pointed arches
made of wood ▣ Carved wood Cultural influence
▣ Timber
▣ Surkhi
Courtyards- a place of assemblage in the evening or major hubs of
activity throughout the day
Earthen stove or open chulla- made out of clay;
fire is made with wood and dung cakes
 Low profile of the houses for the human scale;
People built only to the minimum extent required thus wasting very little
 Low profile of the houses for the human scale;
People built only to the minimum extent required thus wasting very little
Wooden pieces are placed
horizontally on the top of
the opening used as
doorways to support the
upper load;
. Rectangular windows
with curved entablatures
and chhatris used for
ornamentation
Let’s review some concepts

Lintels Low walls Earthen pot

Wooden pieces are placed For human scale, to keep Or open chulla for cooking;
horizontally on the top of the clam surroundings and not Cultural influence
opening used as doorways to waste materials
support the upper load

Arches Mouldings Courtyards

Use of semi circular and Mouldings in cornicesand Use of courtyards prominent;
pointed arches; entabulatures. Climatic and cultural
Since mughal era influence

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INFERENCE

▣ Nanak shahi bricks used as wall cladding.

▣ Mud surfaced walls and niches in almost every wall for
lamps
▣ Low walls for human scale
▣ Prominent use of courtyards; cultural and climatic
influence
▣ Mouldings in cornices mostly seen in haveli
▣ Katcha mud flooring in houses
▣ Use of arches in almost every house
▣ Use of earthen stove for cooking
▣ Rectangular windows with curved entabulatures

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Thanks!
Reference

Special thanks to all the people who made and

released these awesome resources for free:
▣ https://issuu.com/cayserhussain/docs/punjab___
__vernacular_study_cayser
▣ IJRAR- International Journal of Research and
Analytical Reviews
▣ Maps of india
▣ https://jatinderk623623.000webhostapp.com/m
ajha-malwa-doaba

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