VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE

HOUSE BOATS OF KASHMIR

CREATED BY S.E.SIRPY R.RAGAV
 A VERNACULAR STUDY OF KASHMIR
INTORDUCTION
Rural buildings in Kashmir
are generally made by the
people for their own use
without the help of
architects. The various
forms of construction have
evolved over time with the
input of each generation of
artisans. Traditional rural
buildings use locally
available materials and
skills.

Evolution of Constructions in Rural Kashmir

Rural buildings constructed in a traditional way by the people (often referred to as vernacular
buildings) become an integral part of the local cultural heritage. These buildings often reflect the
strength of the community to house itself independent of any outside intervention. They are a
manifestation of architectural systems optimized over time for a particular context with regard to
climate, soil or the threat of natural disasters. Constructed from local materials with local skills and a
deep understanding of local social and economic constraints, traditional architecture is in many
aspects sustainable architecture.

Traditional architecture in many places continues to evolve, and Kashmiri rural architecture is no
exception. A number of building systems in various parts of Kashmir have developed over time to
accommodate local natural and cultural factors, including the impact of earthquakes. These systems
are not only part of the cultural heritage of Kashmir but also add to its beautiful landscape. Historically,
the buildings have depended completely upon stone, mud, bricks and wood for roofing as well as
walling. Until very recently, non-local materials did not represent a valid option for local constructions.
They were expensive, and their use added logistical complications to the construction process.
However, in recent times new materials have made their way into the valleys of Kashmir on account of
their favorable economics as well as people’s aspiration to modernity.

Traditional flat mud roof on timber understructure
with stone masonry walls
Thatch roofing on timber and burnt brick
masonry wall
CGI sheet roofing on stone masonry and
timber wall
CGI roofing on timber with walls
of wood planks and logs
CGI sheet roofing on timber and burnt
brick masonry wall
CGI sheet roofing on timber and stone
masonry wall
Until the 1970s the most common building systems
in Kashmir were brick or stone walls. Some of them
timber framed, with timber and mud roofs. But as
durable wood like Deodar became very expensive,
corrugated galvanized iron (CGI) sheets came to
replace wood planks and shingles. In areas where it
is easy to transport these sheets, the change has
been so far-reaching that CGI sheeting now
constitutes the most common form of roofing in
the region. Even in areas where just twenty years
ago houses were mainly built with flat mud roofs,
CGI sheets have become the predominant roofing
material. Apart from this, the reinforced concrete
(RC) slab is gradually replacing the timber floor and
load bearing masonry walls are replacing the
timber framing. Again, changing economic forces as
well as people’s aspirations to a more
contemporary lifestyle are encouraging such
changes.
Architecture constantly adapts to suit the changing
context so that it can best meet the common
person’s needs. There is, however, a risk that new
materials and construction methods imported from
outside may be introduced at a speed that does not
allow for the traditional way of testing novelties
over time and adapting them to the local situation.
Furthermore, the social, climatic, economic and
technical impacts of new interventions are often
not fully understood, and this may have negative
effects on people’s lives. These impacts include the
reaction of buildings to earthquakes and other
natural disasters. RC, for example, is a material that
requires a high level of engineering, but the people
who use this material often know little about this.
This is why, in many cases, new materials and
techniques applied in an unprofessional way will
threaten the safety of buildings and the people
who live in them.

Vulnerability of a Typical Kashmiri Rural House
Wood shingle roofing on timber placed on
brick masonry and dhajji walls
Aspects of Rural Architecture
Factors governing the popularity of construction methods and materials are (a)
economics in relation to people’s spending capacity, (b) easy maintenance by the
common person and (c) effective response to local natural conditions such as extreme
cold, strong winds or high earthquake risk. Economics This is demonstrated most clearly
by the use of brick for construction, which is most economical in the plains of the
Kashmir Valley, and the use of stone, which is most economical in the hills, on account of
their easy availability in the respective areas. The valley has soil that is most suitable to
make bricks, baked or unbaked. The mountains, on the other hand, offer very little soil
but have lots of stone and rock. When people in the hills consider switching from stone
to brick, these economic factors become very relevant. The cost per brick, which is Rs.1-2
in Baramulla town (in the valley), can be Rs.3-4 at a roadside village 60 km away, or even
as high as Rs.5-6 in a village a mere 2 km away from the road side where it has to be
transported on mule back. Where roofing is concerned, even today CGI sheets have
made no inroads where timber is cheaply available and where access to the area is only
by foot over long distances and steep terrain. In other areas, cheaper timber varieties
with shorter life are gaining acceptability, since the CGI roofing protects such timber from
the natural elements and timber no longer gets exposed as it did when it was used for
shingles or plank roofing.
Maintenance
Maintenance requires materials and skills. Since these are no different from what is
required in construction, the maintenance of rural structures is easy and within the reach
of ordinary people. However, if materials from outside the locality were to be used, the
maintenance of the structure would become expensive.
Local Natural Conditions
Winter cold is the most common natural
factor governing most of Kashmir. Thick walls
of brick and stone with mud plaster provide
excellent protection against this, as does a
thick mud-timber roof. The lighter, pitched
roof made of timber and CGI sheets in
combination with the attic floor also ensures
livable conditions inside the house in winter
and summer. The steep pitch of the light roof
permits little accumulation of snow and
prevents any water leakages.
Burnt and unburnt brick masonry walls
with CGI roofing on timber
 Baked brick Architecture by Region
wall From the point of view of architecture, Kashmir can be divided into several
regions with the following
characteristics:
The Valley of Kashmir - Rural
Unbaked brick The major factors that dictate the local architecture are (a) easy access to
good soil for brick-making, and to water and timber, (b) snow in winter, and
wall with
(c) possibility of earthquakes. As a result, walls are made mainly out of
timber element timber and bricks, baked or unbaked.
The most common wall types are load bearing: (a) baked brick (external
wall) masonry with mud or cement mortar, with or without plaster, (b)
Unbaked brick unbaked brick (internal wall) with mud mortar and mud plaster, or (c)
with baked unbaked brick with baked brick veneer (external wall) masonry with mud
brick veneer mortar, with or without plaster, or (d) Dhajji timber framed constructions
with infill of baked brick in cement mortar or unbaked brick masonry in mud
mortar, both 4" thick with timber frame. Many structures which are typically
single- and double-storey have Dhajji walls in the upper storey and the
Taaq type gables.
construction Roofs slope steeply in two directions. Although planks or shingles of
hardwood like Deodar were formerly the main roofing materials, today CGI
sheets on timber supports have become the most common type of roofing.
The Valley of Kashmir - Urban
The urban areas of the Valley have architecture that is distinct from all other areas. The
main factor determining this architecture is the high density of development. This calls for Four sided CGI roof
vertical growth, resulting into three to four-storey structures. The two most common on un-plastered
walling systems observed are (i) Dhajji type, with timber frame and infill consisting of Dhajji walls
baked or unbaked bricks, and (ii) Taaq type, consisting of brick masonry interlaced with
heavy timber bands supported on large masonry piers made of baked bricks. The timber
frames in the Dhajji walls are generally well laid out with a system of diagonal bracings that
provide a distinct path to the ground for the stresses caused by lateral seismic forces. In
addition, the walls are lightweight and hence have less mass and less lateral seismic loads.
Thus this type of wall is able to withstand ground settlement and major earthquakes
without suffering much damage. The Taaq type of construction has a large number of
windows (“Taaq” means window), one in each gap between the piers. The roofs are two-
Taaq type
and four-sided pitched. The wood shingle roofing that was once used in most structures
construction
has been replaced by the CGI sheeting on account of economics and availability.
This manual does not cover the traditional Dhajji Dewari and Taaq constructions since
these have heritage value and thus call for a different approach to restoration and
retrofitting than half-modern/halftraditional Composite rural constructions.
Kashmir houseboats

Interior view of house boat

Houseboat on Dal Lake in Srinagar, Kashmir House boats on Nageen lake , Srinagar ,
Jammu & Kashmir , India .

Unlike their counterparts in Kerala, the houseboats in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir are usually stationary. They are usually moored at the edges of the Dal
and Nageen lakes. Some of the houseboats there were built in the early 1900s, and are still being rented out to tourists. These houseboats are made of wood,
and usually have intricately carved wood panelling. The houseboats are of different sizes, some having up to three bedrooms apart from a living room and
kitchen.
Many tourists are attracted to Srinagar by the charm of staying on a houseboat, which provides the unique experience of living on the water in a cedar-
paneled elegant bedroom, with all the conveniences of a luxury hotel. Srinagar's thousand or so houseboats are moored along sections of the Dal and Nagin
Lakes and the Jhelum River, each decorated fancifully and named romantically and even whimsically. Like hotels, houseboats vary in degree of luxury and have
been accordingly graded by the Department of Tourism. A luxury houseboat, like a luxury hotel has fine furniture, good carpets and modern bathroom fittings,
while the ‘D category’ (the lowest category) of houseboats, like low-budget hotels, is spartanly furnished. Like hotels too, houseboats vary widely in their
locations. Some overlook the main road, others look out onto lotus gardens and yet others face tiny local markets and villages, all right in the middle of the lake!
All houseboats, regardless of category, have highly personalized service. Not only is there always a "houseboy" for every boat, but the owner and his family are
never far away. The cost per day of hiring a houseboat includes all meals and free rides from the houseboat to the nearest jetty and back, as no houseboat on
the lakes is directly accessible from the banks.
Every standard houseboat provides a balcony in the front, a lounge, dining room, pantry and 3 or more bedrooms with attached bathrooms. All
houseboats not moored to the bank of the river or lakes provide a shikara as a free service from the houseboat to the nearest Ghat (jetty). Virtually every
houseboat in Srinagar has been provided with a municipal water connection.
The lake is full of beautiful Shikaras and houseboats which provide residential facilities for the tourists from inside and outside India.These houseboats are
fitted with all modern facilities in it which attracks the tourists to stay there. The religious places of different communities like Jamia Masjid , Khanka Moulla
Hazratbal, Chatti Padhshi, Shanker Acharya are located in Srinagar District.
Each room has a hand-crafted ceiling and hand-carved cedar panelled walls. The floors and corridor are thickly covered with traditional and colourful
Kashmir rugs and carpets. At the other end of the "palace" there is a huge living room and dining room with similar proportions. Each of these is again totally
panelled with hand-carved cedar…this time with ornate designs backed by coloured lights providing dramatic effects with the main lights turned off.
DAL LAKE - SRINAGAR
The Dal-Gate is a favorite place for the mooring of house-boats. Here one can enjoy a splendid scene of houseboats of different shapes plying on the placid
waters amidst fine surroundings. Gagribal in the Dal offers delightful swimming in its clear water. The bathing boats are equipped with diving-boards.
The Houseboats of Kashmir , unlike their counterparts in Kerala are usually moored at the edges of the Dal lake. Some of the houseboats were built in the early
1900s, and are still being rented out to tourists. These houseboats are made of wood, and usually have intricately and carved wood paneling. The houseboats
are of different sizes, some having up to three bedrooms apart from a living room and kitchen.

The “cob” system

Adobe or sun-dried
brick systems

Wattle and daub methods

There are various techniques by which one can use mud to build the most important part of a house that is a wall.

(a) The “cob” system: Large lumps of mud are moulded in the shape of a huge elongated egg, about 6 inches in diameter and about 12 to 18 inches in size. Rows of
cobs are placed over each other to make a wall. Gaps and holes are filled and the wall is slammed down at the sides. The cob system is the easiest for those
constructing a mud house for the first time and no special tools, equipment or moulds are required.

(b) Adobe or sun-dried brick systems: Moulds of brick are filled with the right mix of wet mud. The mould is then removed and the brick dried in the sun. This is the
most popular form of brick-making since it uses only solar energy, which is free.

(c) Wattle and daub methods: This is used particularly for meeting housing requirements in areas prone to cyclones or earthquakes. Wattle is used to form the
structure of the house similar to that of dajji-dewari in Kashmir and mud is used to fill the walls. During the rains, the mud may be washed away but it is easily
replaced. The wattle can withstand any earth tremors.

Mud has been used extensively in Kashmir for many centuries and is still being used. Mud has a thermal property which keeps it warm in winter and cool in
summer. During the Dogra period in Kashmir, majority of the population used the sun-dried bricks as less tax was levied upon them as compared to burnt bricks.
Many old buildings constructed of only sun-dried bricks can be seen in downtown Srinagar. In many areas of Kashmir like Bederwah and Poonch, houses are still
being constructed of sun-dried bricks. Mud along with timber is still considered the best building material in Kashmir due to earthquakes. Timber and mud make
the structure light and flexible in case of shaking. Only time will tell us whether the modern concepts and materials suit our local architecture where our buildings
are located in seismic zone or the old and traditional materials and techniques.