THE SEVEN SISTERS- Architecture of the North East- PART 2
- Nishita Chopra
- Jan 31, 2021
- 4 min read
The states of the northeast known as the Seven Sisters of India are considered to have characteristic architectural styles that have developed according to the nature and cultures of people around it. Home to indigenous tribes and civilizations, the region proudly displays the traditions and landscapes in its paradise. Closely guarded by the Himalayas and the Brahmaputra river system, the land holds a generous abundance of flora and fauna, shaping the heritage and communities.
After last week's insight into the architectural styles of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and Nagaland, we shall study the rest of the architectural influences of the other states.
Meghalaya
The architecture there is called Khasi Architecture. These houses are built on a plinth and have raise wooden floors inside the walls. The house is shaped rectangular and the roof looks like a boat-like structure. The facade is made of wooden walls with mud-plastered bamboos and stones highly available in hilly regions.
The Garo Architecture is found in the hilltop area of Garo hills and the houses are grouped together and constructed in bamboo and wood. Garo people made treehouses to look over their crops or animals. This architecture is made suitable for all members of the family and can be made in partitions of Nokmong, Nokpante, Jasmreng, and Jamatal divided among household activities.
Mizoram
Mizoram is known for its bamboo and cane culture. Their tribe, the Lushai Tribe, uses bamboo and wood in the construction. Most houses are made on slopes and are thus supported by wooden posts of various lengths so that the house stays leveled horizontally. Crossbeams are fastened over posts and long solid bamboos are laid on top of them. Bamboo matting is done over the frame forming the floor and on the walls. The roof consists of split bamboos covered in thatch and leaves. Cane is adopted to keep the joints together.
The doors and windows are constructed of bamboo matting and fastened against the wall. The house is a rectangular structure and partitioned into rooms through bamboo matting screens fixed to a wooden or bamboo frame. The hearth of the house is at the front door and is made of clay and stones while being raised above the floor by 2-3 ft.
Manipur
Traditional Houses
The architecture of Meitei Houses is the local architecture of Manipur. The original houses are made of bamboo pillars that have now been replaced by wooden ones. There is one lone pillar left at the southwestern corner of the house and is a symbol of worship and also of the vanishing Meitei tradition of using bamboo pillars in construction. There are no nails used to secure the beams of the house. However, cane and bamboo splits are put to work for fastening purposes. The local bamboo and wood are cut from the hills for the construction. The upper roof is made of bamboo splits and covered in thatch.
In the Kangthak- haaba houses of a group called Chin-Kuki, bamboo is extensively used for construction. These houses have an extended verandah and the platform of this is made of bamboo mats. The walls as well as the roof are also made of bamboo mats. Starting from the end of the roof, rows of smashed bamboos are laid out to cover the whole roof in the same way thatch is laid over roofs.
Temple architecture
Manipuri temples are an extension of the Hindu Bengali style architecture. The architectural style here is mostly governed on the basis of the ancestral houses of forest dwellers. The bamboo temple construction represents Bengal architecture. Parabolic contours are a characteristic in Hut-like temples like in the Mahabali Temple and Tangal Temple. There is another style seen that is a combination of the Shikhara and Pagoda styles seen in Kamakhya Temple.
Tripura
Bamboo House: The vernacular architecture of Tripura revolves around the use of local materials like bamboo, Leaves, Timber, cane, and lime. The construction begins in the dry season and is mostly done in rectangular shapes.
Riang Houses: Using bamboo as their main material from floor to beam and walls and the roofing is done with thatch.
MudHouse: One of the ancient methods, the houses are made with complete mud with bamboo for beams and thatch for the roof.
Tong Ghar: Tong Ghars are known for being made entirely of just one material. These houses are made of bamboo with the walls made of plain bamboo along with the floor with grass to cover the plain bamboo roof. This also helps keep the environment stay in its ecological state.
Tin House: Present-day style of architecture in Tripura has accepted the Tin House style of architecture. These houses are made of tin and bamboos are used as supporting beams and windows. This is a low-cost housing technology being accepted in the state now.
The architecture of these seven states has been developed by taking into account the bioclimatism, socioeconomic stature, and cultural influences of the area. These houses have solar passive features related to indoor temperature control and increasing natural ventilation. Using locally available materials of bamboo, wood, stone, and lime promotes sustainable building designs. Being characterized by the area's climate, construction materials, needs, and traditions, the vernacular architecture develops its own identity. It is an architecture that is timeless and upholds the value of the place it is associates with.
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