TRADITIONAL BUILT FORMS OF PUNJAB
- Malika Vaidya
- Nov 29, 2020
- 4 min read
The state of Punjab is located in the northern region of India, nestled between the Himalayas on the northern side, the desert state of Rajasthan on the southern side, and Pakistan on the western side. The rich alluvial soil deposited by the rivers Sutlej, Beas, Ravi, Chenab, and Jhelum, make the region ideal for agricultural activities. Hence, the state was chosen as the epicenter of the Green revolution in the mid – 1960s, increasing the agricultural yield and setting India on the road to food self-sufficiency.
The history of Punjab dates back to the Harappan civilization till the formation of the Sikh empire. And, with this history, the architectural history of the state has also evolved. Hence, the built form of the state can be divided into :
Harappan civilization houses
Kutcha house
Puccha house – Havelies
HARAPPAN CIVILISATION HOUSES
Evidence of the earliest courtyard houses emerged from the village of Mehergarh (6000-6500 BC), which had irregularly scattered mud-brick houses. Kot Diji (prior to 2600 BC) in Harappa already had a planned settlement and the overall orientation of the streets was in the direction of the cardinal points.
Most private houses had rooms arranged around a central courtyard with doors and windows opening out in the side lanes.
KUTCHA HOUSES
In vernacular architecture, the conception of space begins with a single space, to which spaces get either added or divided depending on the activities.
The kutcha houses were single-room dwellings arranged around a courtyard with ancillary functions such as an open bathing area, open kitchen, and cattle shed arranged around the boundary. So, technically, a rectangular area was assigned to each function or activity without these areas being directly interconnected.
In multi-roomed kutcha houses, the segregation was again done according to the activities with the area near the entrance allocated to the cattle shed. Next came the semi-formal area or the courtyard used to sit out in the evening. Finally, came the private spaces housing the bedroom/s with a low ceiling and roofing done in thatch. The kitchen was open to the sky and housed a chulla and a hand pump.
HAVELI
The northern and western states in our country, especially Rajasthan, Punjab, and Gujrat, falling in the hot and dry region, have emerged as the pioneers of promoting Haveli culture. The major factor promoting the Haveli culture was the harsh climate of the regions. Another factor contributing to the Haveli culture could be the Green revolution which elevated the financial status of a predominantly agrarian society.
The main design of the haveli aimed to create a comfortable indoor environment throughout the year without the requirement for any mechanical devices. The spatial design of a Haveli included symmetrical planning around a courtyard, high ceiling, thick walls, small openings, clerestory windows, and large footprints of the building. The material used in the construction was Bricks laid in lime & surkhi (brick powder) paste added with marble chips and organic binders. Many buildings were constructed as a double storied structure which included a number of courtyards on the first floor also.
The South-West side of the Haveli had a long veranda to protect the habitable area from the harsh sun during summers. The front portion of Haveli was used for public gatherings largely by the male members whereas the rear area catered to the females of the family.
The Courtyards acted as a center for rituals, marriages, festivals, and social gatherings. It connected the areas inside and outside while providing light and ventilation to the adjoining rooms.
ARCHITECTURAL ELEMENTS
COURTYARD
The courtyard in a Punjabi house is not just an architectural element but a way of life. It acted as a place for assembly and a hub for various activities throughout the day. It prevented direct sunlight to enter the rooms and trapped cool air during the summer. Thus, it was important from the climate point of view.
The traditional flooring for a courtyard consisted of mud floors which were coated with a layer of Chikni Mitti and then with a mixture of cow dung and mud phuska which gave it a smooth finish, prevented cracks, and kept the floor naturally cool during the summers.
LINTELS AND DOORS
A lintel is a structural horizontal block that spans the opening or space between two vertical supports. It can be used as both a structural as well as a decorative element.
The lintels in these traditional houses were wooden pieces placed horizontally over door openings, varying in size and nailed with iron nails. The panels and frames were both made out of wood.
EARTHEN STOVE (CHULLA) OR OPEN TO SKY KITCHEN
The earthen stove or Chulla was made out of a special type of clay and didn’t require gas or electricity. It was fired with wood and dung cakes. Though we have come a long way from earthen stoves fired by wood, the “Tandoor” still plays an important role in Punjabi cuisine and is still used to date.
MATERIALS
Traditional building materials were used for construction such as the Nanak Shahi bricks, which were very thin bricks having a thickness of two inches as compared to the four-inch bricks of today. Other materials used were lime, mud, surkhi – brick powder, carved wood, and timber, giving the structure a completely different character.
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