Unit 3: Rural Architecture of Jaisalmer, Bikaner and Jodhpur

Unit's Overview

This module on Rural Architecture of Rajasthan covers the introduction of the rural tribes prevalent
in Rajasthan, their settlement pattern, the architectural features, the climatic considerations, etc. The
module covers the social, political and economic background of these communities, and critiques its
influence on their settlement patterns and dwelling units. The module identifies the mud technology
in rural Rajasthan.

Objectives
Identify the different rural tribes of Rajasthan, their social background and its influence
on their settlement pattern.
Explain different types of settlements in the region.
Explain and draw dwelling units of Rajasthani tribes.
Explain the layout of the typical house in Rajasthan with examples from Jaisalmer,
Jodhpur, and Bikaner.
Critique the architectural character of the
- Roopsi House (Jaisalmer town)
- Dhulmera House,
- Jalwali House (Bikaner town)
Critique the mud technology in rural Rajasthan.

Summary

OVERVIEW OF THE TRIBAL GROUPS IN RAJASTHAN

Rajasthan is a state steeped in culture and history. Rajasthan, or the realm of the Kings, is one of the
princely states of all in India. Besides marvelous forts, palaces and havelis, Rajasthan also treasures
the major tribal locations in India. Rajasthan is home to many tribes who have very interesting history
of origin, customs and social practices. The tribal population in Rajasthan is concentrated in belts
running from Sirohi through the Udaipur, Dungarpur, Chittorgarh and Banswara districts to the
Bundi, Kota, Sawai, Madhopur, Tonk and Jaipur districts. The state comprises of five major tribal
people groups with many other either being the branches of these major groups or minor ones. These
five tribal groups are Mina, Bhil, Garasia, Saharia and Gadiya Lohars. Of these tribal groups,
- the Minas are the largest of the lot with almost a share of close to 50 percent of the total
population;
- Bhils come close with a population of 45 percent and
- then comes the Garasias with a population comprising 3-4 percent of the total population of
tribal people. The population of the Garasias in Rajasthan has been dwindling in the recent
past because of their migration to North Gujarat.
Minas -"The militant defenders": Minas are the second largest tribal group of Rajasthan. Both men
and women of the community have sharp physical attribute, like, tall, athletic, large eyes, thick lips
and light brown complexion. Their ancestors were the inhabitants of the Indus Valley Civilization.
Presently, they dominate the Shekhawati region and eastern part of the state. They are spread over the
whole state, but are mainly concentrated in Jaipur, Alwar, Bharatpur, Sawai Madhopur, Tonk, Bundi
and Udaipur districts of the state, where over 51 per cent of their population reside. Unlike the other
scheduled tribes of Rajasthan, the Mina has not been relegated to a socially inferior position by the
caste Hindus. They place themselves at a high level of social hierarchy, equal to that of Rajputs, Jat,
Thakur, Mahajan and Gujjar of the area. They cultivate land, and both men and women participate in
agricultural activities. The Mina economy is predominantly agriculture based. They also depend upon
animal husbandry, labor and service for their livelihood. Some of them hold good positions all-over
India and in state services. They are Hindus but have certain animistic traits as well.

Bhils - "The bow men of Rajasthan": They form the highest percentage of tribes in Rajasthan.
They reside in the Banswara region and said to be good in arching. Bowmen of Bhil group has
historical connections with the epics of Mahabharata and Ramayana. Earlier, they were food gathers,
but with the passage of time, many has taken up small-scale agriculture and employment as their
main occupation. Baneshwar fair held annually in the month of January of February showcases the
cultural identity of Bhils.

Gaduliya Lohars - Garasias- "The fallen Rajputs" - The Garasias are basically subsistence
farmers who provide just whats needed to survive. They are not known to be much industrious, even
when the land is good. Numerically speaking, the Garasias constitute the third largest group of the
state of Rajsthan. Though they are also found in the neighboring state of Rajasthan, they are mainly
spread in the state of Rajasthan in the districts of Sirohi, Udaipur and Pali. The highest concentration
of Garasia is in the tehsils of the Abu Road and Pindwara of Sirohi district.

The word Garasia is also spelt differently as Grasia, Girasia, Girrasiya, Girresseya and Grasya. The
word Garasia has its origin in the Sanskrit word Gras which means sustenance. The Garasias have
been classified into three different groups by the census operators, namely, Garasia, Rajput Garasia
and Bhil Garasia.

Usually the Rajput Garasia lives in one-room houses made with mud and bamboo walls. Those with
more money build flat tiled roofs, while the poorer people still use thatch. Houses are usually built on
the slopes of hills with their fields extending out in front. A guest house is usually built opposite the
house of the "headman" of the village.
Sahariyas "The jungle dwellers": The Sahariyas group is the most backward tribe in Rajasthan;
they dwell in the core areas of Kota, Dungarpur and Sawai Madhopur and is believed to be having
strong connection with Bhil. Their main source of income is farming croplands, hunting and fishing.

Gadiya Lohars -"The nomadic blacksmiths": Also known as martial Rajput tribes, Gadiya Lohars
are blacksmiths of Rajasthan. The tribal group is named after gadis (their attractive bullock carts) and
is said to be migrated from Chittorgarh, during the regime of Great Mughal Emperor Akbar.

Other tribal communities in Rajasthan are Damors of Dungarpur and Udaipur districts, Kathodi and
Rabaris of Mewar region and last but not the least are the Meo and Banjara, who travel from one
place to another and are independent of any specific locations.

THE GENERIC HOUSE FORM

It is difficult to divide the desert region into distinct zone and to group the house form in each
zone with in generic classification. There is persistence, yet gradually changing character in
these forms.
While the circular enclosed space is formed almost everywhere, it occurs more frequently as
one moves down from Bikaner in north to Banni in the south.
Conversely, the frequency of occurrence of courtyards increases as one moves north words.
Rectangular spaces predominate in the northern parts of the desert.
It is, therefore, more convenient to follow the administrative boundaries for the purpose of
protection. Therefore, districts have been retained as the sub-divisions within the desert
regions.
Evolving out of social physical context and due to local acceptance of its validity over a
period of time, they have become the traditional type of habit of the people.
The major contextual forces shaping these settlements can be enumerated as climate,
available materials, technology and culture.
In spite of variations in village, street and cluster formation in a region, the thematic
expressions therein are most commonly dictated by the material, construction techniques and
life style.
The rural settlements in Rajasthan may be Clustered and Semi-clustered settlements.

Clustered, agglomerated and nucleated settlement: -

In this type of settlement the built-up area is compact and inter-house distance is small.
In this type of village the general living area is distinct and separated from the surrounding
farms.
Such settlements are found in highly productive alluvial plains (Punjab), in the valleys of
Shiwaliks (Deheradun) and in north eastern states.
 Such settlements are also formed due to security and defense reasons (e.g. Madhya Pradesh)
or scarcity of water or cultivable land (Rajasthan).

Semi-clustered settlements
In this type of settlement, the built-up area is less compact as compared to the clustered
settlement.
It may result from segregation or fragmentation of a large compact village.
Some sections of a village society choose or is forced to live a little away
from the main cluster or village.
The land-owning and dominant community occupies the central part of the main village,
whereas people of lower status of settle on the outer flanks of the village.
Such settlements are found in Gujarat plain and parts of Rajasthan.

Rural kutcha homes with art can be seen in some villages

Contours of a village

.
The local stone wall in the village (Source: http://www.danbalogh.com/india1.html)

THE SETTLEMENT CHARACTER OF THE RURAL TRIBES OF RAJASTHAN

The major tribal groups are Mina, Bhil, Garasia, Saharia, Gadiya Lohars, Damors, Kathodi,
Rabaris, Meo and Banjara. The settlement character of these tribal groups varies.
Bhils -The Bhils are not gypsies. The whole of the Bhil country which is the south-western part
of Rajasthan is mountainous, embracing the wildest area of the Aravallis. The Bhils live in pals or
clusters of detached huts among the hills, each hut standing on a small mound in the midst of its path
of cultivated land. The settlement or pal is divided into a number of paras or phalas which afford
cover and protection in case of attack. A cluster of huts within a single enclosure forms a typical Bhil
habitation in Rajasthan.
Garasias - A Garasia settlement is not a cluster of houses. The dwellings are scattered over slopes of
hills and mounds and the fields extend in front of them. These solitary dwellings are made of bamboo
and leaves and lightly plastered over with cow-dung.
Meenas -The Meenas who constitute almost half of the tribal population used to live on rocky
elevations or in thick forests and their settlements were called Mewasas. The cluster of their houses
was also called a pal and was named after the gotra to which most of the inhabitants belonged. The
Meenas were settled in the villages of Jaipur, Sawai- Madhopur and Tonk districts. Of their two
classes, the Purana Basi Meenas are mostly agriculturists while the Naya Basis belongs to the light-
fingered fraternity which prior to independence was subjected to daily attendance at the nearest police
station under the Criminal Tribes Act.

THE SOCIAL ORGANIZATION AND THE SETTLEMENT PATTERN OF THE BHIL

TRIBE OF RAJASTHAN.

Social Organization

The name "Bhil" is believed to have been derived from villu, which is the word for "bow," in
reference to the weapon that, until recent times, they seemed almost always to be carrying.
They were traditionally hunters and gatherers. They relied primarily on bows and arrows for
hunting, although spears, slings, and axes were also used. Edible plants, roots, and fruits were
gathered from the forests.
The Bhils social organization is characterized by the presence of diverse social groups
recognized on the basis of kinship, culture contact, religious tenets, etc.
They maintain nuclear pattern of families. Compound families of a polygynous nature, though
very small in number, are accorded a higher social status.
Extensive deforestation has greatly diminished the forest resources. As a result, most of the Bhil
are now settled farmers. Their primary crops include maize, millet, cucumbers, cotton, wild
 rice, lentils and barley. Some of the Bhils have lost their land and now earn a living as hired
laborers. Many of them have found jobs clearing forests or repairing roads.
Since the Bhil do not weave cloth, make pottery, or work with metals, they are dependent on
trade to obtain these types of items.
The scattered settlement pattern has hindered government efforts to provide services for the
people.

The Village Settlement

The Bhils mark their village boundaries by tying bundles of grass to trees along the paths.
Each village usually contains from three to forty families.
The villagers live in houses that are set far apart from each other.
Most of the houses are built on hills with their fields surrounding them.
Most villages also have some land that is reserved for community use.

The House
The Bhil live in wooden framed, rectangular homes that generally have two stories.
The houses have bamboo walls daubed with plaster that is made of water, clay, and cattle dung.
Such materials repel insects and keep the houses cool.
The homes do not have windows, and have only a single entrance on the front wall.
The roofs are usually thatched with grass or teak leaves and bamboo, materials that often
require annual replacement.

Typical entrance of a Bhil

tribal house with traditional
designs on the door.

THE SOCIAL ORGANIZATION AND THE SETTLEMENT PATTERN OF THE GARASIA

TRIBE OF RAJASTHAN.

Social Organization
The Garasias are basically subsistence farmers who do just whats needed to survive.
They are the halfbreed, being the descendants of Rajputs who married the Bhils. The
settlement pattern, use of bow and arrow and the general way of life of Garasia are all similar to
those of Bhils.
Agriculture and allied occupations are their means of subsistence.
There is a strong prevalence of joint family system though there is very little unity or
cooperation between the village clans.
 The Garasias are further territorially divided into two divisions: Moti Jyoti (higher caste) and
Nanki Jyat (lower caste).
The Garasia women are known for their colorful attires and silver jewellery.
Dhols (drums) and bow-arrows are also part of the material culture of the Garasias.
There is prevalent gender divisions - womens responsibility include cooking, tending to cattle,
milking the animals and looking after the children; while the men do the physical labor such as
ploughing, harvesting and building the houses.
They are located mostly in Sirohi, Udaipur and Pali districts of Rajasthan.

The Village Settlement

A Garasia village has scattered pattern of habitation like the Bhils. The settlement is not a cluster
of houses.
The village is spread across the mountain slopes and dry river beds of Aravali. In a hilly region
(Bhakar), there are a number of clusters of houses situated in rough terrain
The smallest unit of the village is Phalia, consists of the members of a single clan.
There is further division of pal which the Garasias term as patta. There are two pattas among
them: Bhakar Patta and Pindwara Patta.
The Bhakar Patta consists of twenty four villages which are grouped into three groups: Jamudi,
Uplibore and Nichala Khejada. In each group there are eight villages. Jamudi is the oldest region
of this village.
The huts belonging to various families are widely dispersed and there is no central place where
people can meet together.

The House
Houses are usually built on the slopes of hills with their fields extending out in front.
The Garasias live mostly in one-room huts consisting of two/three rooms with mud wall
partitions.
The solitary dwellings are made of mud, bamboo and leaves and lightly plastered over with
cow-dung.
Those with more money build flat tiled roofs, while the poorer people still use thatch.
There is a smaller hut attached to the main one meant for cattle. However, for the other animals
like goats and hens there are open air facilities.
A guest house is usually built opposite the house of the "headman" of the village.
SOME EXAMPLES
1 Roopsi House (Jaisalmer town)
2 Dhulmera house
3 Jalwali house (Bikaner town)

ROOPSI HOUSE, JAISALMER

The village courtyard The stone masonry in the village
Source: http://debgos.com/
Location and Social organisation
Roopsi is a village of about 2000 people, located about 20 kilometers west of Jaisalmer town.
Although in the desert region, its immediate surroundings have patches of cultivable land and
rocky mounds.
The climate is hot and dry with moderate to server sandstorms in the summer. The winters are
cold.
The people live by sheep breeding and agriculture, which are not very remunerative.
Rubble is available in the vicinity.
Village life is organized on the basis of community groups. Each group is bound by close
internal relationships.

Plan of Roopsi village

Characteristics of the Roopsi House
A cluster accommodating such a group has closely knit dwellings, which are introvert in
character.
 The central courtyard is the key element of the house.
All the surrounding rooms open only into the court.
The closed periphery of the house shares its walls with other houses. This works well in the dry
climate and house is well protected against sandstorms.
Houses are constructed of uncaused rubble masonry, bound with mud mortar.
Rooms are fairly large and spanned with rough wooden rafters closely arranged, with their
bearings on walls and stone pillars, which have wide capitals.
These rafters are covered with a layer of ruble and mud, often 25 - 30 centimeters thick. The
heavy walls and thick roof keep the houses cool during summer days and warm in the chilly
nights.
A variety of storage elements are found in the village. These are typical and are characteristic of
the region, and can be found in most of the villages. These elements include wooden chests, clay
granaries of various sizes, clay storage units and clay shelves of elaborate and intricate design.
Small clay elements of this kind are also placed around a pillar just beneath its capital.

Storage elements

Plan of Roopsi house Inside a kitchen in Roopsi

.
DHULMERA HOUSE
 Dhulmera house is small and without the customary circular jhompa, it resembles a large
sculpture, set in a sea of sand.
All the rectangular rooms of varying sizes and heights with uneven mud plastering were set
around the courtyard.
Only the largest room had a flat roof, all the others had either a pitched roof or a conical roof. The
undulating roof line with its mud color and special texture brings interest and homogeneneity to
this house.

Plan of Dhulmera house

The position of the kitchen is strategic. It is right in front of the entrance gate and so situated that
it cuts down the dimension of the court and helps to divide it in two parts. It also leaves a blank
surface in front of the main road and blocks the service yard. Such planning attitudes are the result
of the development, intelligent and experienced mind.
The position and construction of the two stores created an interesting peep hole 15cm. wide. Both
the storage jars are placed so close to each other .i.e. .sculptural space between them was formed
in the shape of inverted cone.
The open kitchen, position in one corner, had a burner fashion in mud, and fire wood was used as
if fuel. In the summer, cooking is done outdoor while in winter it is done inside the kitchen. In
windy days, the inner kitchen is used, with their simple food habits requiring the use of only a few
pots and pans, this change is possible rapid and easy.
The worship space and water storage space are next to each other. These spaces are not part of the
services but are considered sacred and therefore designed and positioned in a way to suggest this.
In the absence of any semi-open spaces, the shade of the room is used for resting during the hot
summer afternoons.
 The boundary wall connects all the rooms while all thorny bushes enclose the rare yard.
The Dhulmera house is proof of the fact that simplicity of construction can result in a delightful
building.

Two conical stores

JAISALMER AS CASE STUDY

The district of Jaisalmer derives its name from the town of Jaisalmer, which was founded by King
Jaisal. The word Jaisalmer is a combination of two words, jaisal and meru; meaning Jaisals fort.
The area comprising the district was widely known as mud dhara or valla mandal from ancient
times. In 1949, after the formation of Rajasthan, the areas under the formal Jaisalmer state, along
with some parts of Jodhpur state was formed into the single district of Jaisalmer.
The district is situated at the extreme west of Rajasthan, and forms the major part of the Great
Indian Desert. The district is bound on the west, north and north-west by Pakistan and on the north
east by Bikaner district. On the south lies the district of Barmer and on east the district of Jodhpur.
 Jaisalmer is the largest district in the state and the second largest in the country. But, it is the least
populated one.
The entire areas is dry, sandy and with very little water.
This flat scrubby landscape is punctuated by a few hills and many sand-dunes.
The land slopes towards the Indus Valley and the Rann of Kutch.
The topography is undulating and, as far as the eye can see, the land is covered with sand-dunes.
The ridges usually are parallel to the prevailing direction of the wind. No other part of Rajasthan
is as devoid of life and as forbidding in appearance. The blow sand forms into shifting dunes the
few stationary san-hills in the west are covered with small bushes and those in the east with tufts
of long grass. There is hardly any vegetation owing to the lack of water there are no permanent
water sources and the inhabitants consequently lead a nomadic life grazing sheep and cattle, shift
in from one green patch to another.

Construction
A Bhunga enclosed by a mud wall is the most typical construction for dwelling purpose.
Its diameter varies from 3 to 5 m.
The wall is usually constructed in two ways depending upon its location. In places which are not
likely to face inundation during the rains, no matter how meager these rains may be, the walls are
made of sun dried clay blocks and finished with mud plaster.
 These walls cannot carry the load of the roof, nor are they rigid enough to hold it. The roof load
is cleverly transferred above head level.
A wooden prop placed in the center of the beam supports the conical roof and helps transfer the
load to the post through the beam. Often, the two posts carrying the beam are placed outside the
circular wall and are left exposed .at times they are embedded in the mud wall.

Techniques of construction - Mud wall

Eternity, in the areas which face water logging, bhungas are built with wooden sticks covered
with mud plaster.
In the event of inundation, the wall would not give weight, as it is well reinforced by the wooden
sticks is really a kind of adobe construction.
These reinforced walls have a far greater load bearing capacity, there by eliminating the need for
additional post and also the horizontal beam.
For the roof, a conical wooden frame is made of sticks which rise from the wall and are tied at
crown to create the cone. The cone is surfaced externally with thatch.

Thatched roof interior

The interior of all spaces is finished with white clay, often of good quality.
People for communities which are involved in crafts, as in Ludia, finish these interiors in pattern
clay and mirror are embedded in surface.
 These mirror design are well-integrated with the wall patterns .small granaries are also built of
clay.
These are decorated to match the interiors, or at times left plain.
The granaries may be circular or rectangular.
Clay is also used for making chests with wooden shutters to take care of other storage needs.
Jhompas are also constructed with mud as a principal material.
How ever, there are variations in the construction of walls. Besides using clay bocks there are
also places where the walls are first made with sticks and then finished with mud. These two
methods are comparable with the construction of bhungas.
The third method uses straw for the walls. Here, the straw is tied with ropes and raised in circular
form. The ropes are made from fibrous local plants. These thick ropes run horizontally along the
internal as well as the external surface of the straw walls. Theses are then finished with clay and
cow dung.
A shallow foundation of about 30 to 40 cm. is made for securing the jhompa.

Finished with mud interior Inside created spaces

The roof is supported in two different ways, depending upon the nature of wall construction.
While stronger mud block walls, and the walls reinforced with the wooden sticks, can support the
cone of the roof or its periphery, the straw reinforced walls normally have a central wooden spar
supporting the apex of the cone.
Radial support of the raw would connect the spar with the periphery. These are then tied with
ropes and the voids and are filled with straws, and further covered with thatch. In the other
method, radiating supports are directly connected at the apex, tied with ropes and then roof on. In
such cases, the walls also provided with hoops at regular intervals. Thus the hoops take care of
the tension cause by thrust of the conical roof. Sometimes, a mud wall is only a partition and the
roof is supported on wooden post. The roof projects all along the periphery to protect the walls
from sun and rain.
Radial support at periphery Roof support

The rectangular spaces are generally constructed with sun dried clay blocks, breaking the walls
40-50 cm. thick. Raw wood joist spans these narrow and long rooms. The spans are further
reduced by wooden sticks put across o the main members.
These roofs are finished with rammed earth. On the roofs is for storing grass and straw. The load
is taken on wooden posts erected outside the mud walls.

BIKANER AS CASE STUDY

The district of Bikaner lies almost at the northern most edge of the desert.
It is bounded on the north east by Ganganagar district by the district of Churu on the east,
Jodhpur and Nagaur on the south and Jaisalmer on the southwest. It lies along the Pakistan
border on the west.
The district takes its name from its capital, the city of Bikaner, the settlement founded by Rao
Bika in 1488. It is said that the spot on which the city stands was the birthright of a Jat called
Nera, who only gave it up on condition that his name was linked with that of Bika and hence the
word Bikaner.
The surface of the country is for the most part covered with undulating sand hills, varying in
height from 10m to over 30m.
The land is as dry as a desert can possibly be, with no perennial rivers or streams. Two salt lakes
exist-Chhapar in the salt near Sujangarh, and another at Kunkaransar about 80 KM northeast of
Bikaner.
The climate of the area is dry and generally healthy, though characterized by extraordinary
extremes of temperature. During the summer the, heat is intense; hot winds blow with great fury
in May, June and part of July. Severe sandstorms are a common feature of the area. These are
made even more severe by the intense and powerful sun. On the other hand, severe cold is
experienced during the winter. It is, therefore, natural that the house is of the region have to be
built to respond to such extremes of climate.
 To the north of Bikaner, the houses are constructed out of stone as well as mud.
Rectangular rooms arranged in geometric pattern around the courtyard constitute the basic plan
form.
All major spaces are rectangular, with flat stone slabs or rough wood roofs, except for one
circular (kitchen or store) space with a conical thatched roof.

The walls are either constructed out of sun baked mud bricks or undressed stone, plastered with
mud.
The village houses have two or three courtyards
o The outer court has a high and strong compound wall for and protection against the
sandstorms.
o The inner or central court is the place onto which all rooms open, and it is the hub of
activities.
o The rear yard is where the fodder is stored
The interior of and these built spaces is used only when the climate is especially severe.
Semi open space like verandahs are used most of the time.
The room which is accessible from the outside maybe used as a visitors room or as a shop.
The play of walls of different heights set on various planes gives the main faade an appearance
characteristic of the area.
Openings in the walls are small and few in number.
 The mud plastered walls are painted white at these openings and this makes them look larger.
The blank surfaces are provided with an element of contrast and decoration. This technique of
decoration is very simple but nonetheless effective. It transforms the simple masses of the walls
into works of art.
Since the flat interior slab is usable, a solid stair is provided, which forms an important visual
element within the central court.
The circular form of the kitchen or store helps in bringing some variation and fluidity to the
overall faade.

HOUSE IN JALWALI VILLAGE

The Characteristics of the Village
The smaller villages north of Bikaner epitomize the true Indian village. The main economic
activity of the desert region is agriculture and dairy products.
The farmers produce millet and other grains for their own consumption as well as to sell. These
villages show very few signs of progress.
Occasionally, some villages near the bus route areas are seen to have more modern facilities, like
electricity.
It is in the interior villages that one finds some of the most beautiful mud forms in an undisturbed,
vernacular, architectural environment.

The village of Jalwali is situated in this region on an uneven terrain.

The streets of the Jalwali village are defined by the long boundary walls or hedges of the outer
courtyards of the horses.
An occasional entrance gate enlivens these walls or hedges. The various sizes and shapes of these
entrance gates symbolize transition and proclaim individual territory and identity.
The structure of this element houses and supports the entrance door.
The mud walls of the boundary are heightened at this point to cover the doorway in the shape of
an arch, a triangle or a square. A few niches maybe provided for lamps.
 The selection of the form of this element is always special and individual, and means a lot to the
residents. Any single street is dotted with a number of entrance elements and is made interesting
in that manner.
The houses are compactly grouped within a network of narrow meandering paths.
Each of these houses has a private inner courtyard and a semi-private outer courtyard for the
cattle.
The most significant and typical feature is the entrance gate of these houses, and also their unique
grain and other storage jars made of mud.

The House
The house is entered through the typical gate.
In the plan form, the houses have an enveloping quality with the inner courtyard as a nucleus.
The mud walls of the rooms and the encircling walls, with their numerous storage elements, are
the first envelop around their private open to the sky domain.
The outer envelope encloses the open space for animals, the rooms for visitors, the storage area
for fuel wood and areas for other, less private activities.
The entrance gate is the main reference point.
The guest rooms are in one corner and are away from the main house.
These indicate the need for privacy in line with social custom.
The two small rooms have a platform in front of the guest rooms. These rooms might also be used
for storage purposes or to house animals during conditions of severe heat or cold.
The floor of this court is left unfinished and is often left in its natural condition.

The main house is entered through a small opening in a low mud wall, separating the two
courtyards.
Two rectangular rooms on the two sides and one circular Jhompa right across the entrance
surround the internal space which is open to the sky.
 The circular Jhompa has a conical thatched roof.
The rectangular rooms have flat roofs.
Symmetrically placed rooms emphasize the entrance door of the circular Jhompa when observed
from the gate.
It is also the seat of the head male member of the family. The view of the entrance from the
Jhompa is important, both visually and socially.
The circular Jhompa is the main living space while the rectangular rooms are for children and
members of the family.
On the two diagonal walls linking the rooms, are seen grain storage units of various sizes, built of
mud. Since they are handmade, the heights, depths and widths of each differ from one another.
The sizes of these grain storage units are such that access to them is possible only from the outside,
as in the case of a large bottle. A storage unit is never entered into. The conical top is closed once
the dried grain is placed within and it is then locked.

HOUSES OF GUDA BISHNOIYA, JODHPUR DISTRICT

Introduction
Guda Bishnoiya falls under Jodhpur district as significant place.
The village is just 22km far from Jodhpur city.
The village is set long the bank of famous Guda lake where the majority birds come every year.
The village holds the major share in the architecture of mud.
The village reflects the perfect Bishnoi culture, wrapped in mud.
The villagers live very admirably and protect the nature and environment.
The widely visible features of Guda Bishnoiyan village are
o Mud around the entire region.
o Desert wild life.
o Demoiselle cranes.
o Craftsman ship of the Shepherds and farmers.
o Beautiful morning and evening
The village shows slow signs of progress but it is very much full of beauty and natural scenario.
Occasionally, some villages near the bus route area are seen to have more modern facilities, like
electricity. It is in the interior villages that one finds some of the most attractive mud forms in an
undisturbed, vernacular, architectural environment.
Guda Bishnoiya could be considered as an ideal example among the studied in the case study
because of facilitates more of the surrounding people tourist with its appearance.
Although it is a village but contributes a lot in making any mud profile more rich.

Use of mud, bamboo and lime Painted walls
Construction techniques
The complete construction is in traditional style and built with naturally available surrounding
materials like, mud, thatch, bamboo and lime, etc.
Houses are made of local materials and plastered with cow dung.
Beautiful paintings have been done in traditional style by local woman artisans.
The further covering of houses is done with thatched roofs.
Each house is made and individual dwellings units which has open to the sky courtyards.
The houses are aromatized by guggle collected from local forest.
The material chiefly utilized is sun-dried mud bricks and plastered with mud on it.

Locally available mud Rees and steams mixed with mud to provide strength

The sunken spaces Entrance to a hut

Wall construction with jaalis Hut with beautiful exterior and interiors

The Guda Bishnoiya Dwelling Entrance to the huts

CONCLUSION
The day is coming when architecture will be for living, and not merely a spectator sport, because
it being accepted in many spheres of construction, still unknown to many.
The most humble material of so called material of rural construction can bring the new world of
more appreciation and so with the hope of this awareness building with mud has become an
important factor in planning new development.
Mud depicts the true and productive link between traditions and modernity, because of its
application in the ancient cities and villages and vivid use in modern interiors.
The classical and beautiful architecture of India has been well documented and saved, but the
traditions are threatened by the new demands for change and development. But still the
importance of this technique of construction cannot be avoided because mud architecture has its
own beauty.
Mud architecture in traditional construction method continues to thrive in most of the Third
World, and gives the vision of originality.
References
http://indiahistoryspeaks.blogspot.com/search/label/Tribal%20History
http://ebookbrowse.com/mud-architecture-chapter-9-10-pdf-d83066542
www.123eng.com/projects/mud%20architecture%20chapter%209-10.pdf
http://www.123eng.com/projects/mud%20architecture%20chapter%2011.pdf