Review of Literature

The subject of vernacular architecture is the result of dynamics between requirements and available resources cradled in the traditional culture of a group, society, or community.

The study and research on vernacular architecture, as a separate area of research, is not so long-standing.

The term “vernacular architecture appeared only in 1858 (Noble:2007), but the study on the topic gradually got momentum through growing interest from different disciplines as “the study of traditional building has always common to a number of academic disciplines outside of architecture” (Brown & Maudlin:2012).

However, the anthropologists and the folklorists pioneered the study of these architectures, driven by the zeal of romanticism or nationalism. However, gradually the subject drew the attention of scholars from diverse fields. And resultantly, there see cornucopia of published works on diverse aspect of the subject.

The study of the vernacular architecture of the state has started as part of the ethno-cultural studies, developed along the growth of the folklore study. However, the scholarly treatment of the topic, especially as an independent area of research, is in a very rudimentary state. But whatever studies on the traditional or vernacular architecture are done are mostly carried out by the folklorists or the scholars of the allied fields. Thus, most of the studies on the topic of the vernacular architecture are primarily dealt along with the ethno-cultural and folkloric studies in the state. Therefore, the topic often finds a limited space and discussion in such studies. So, in a way, it can be said that that the studies on the topic of the vernacular architecture of the state is in a very preliminary and nascent stage. However, it needs to be acknowledged that whatever limited or diminutive discussion such studies incorporated, they are mostly informative and valuable information on the vernacular architecture tradition of state.

The study of the vernacular architecture, as a specialized subject of research, started in the West. Therefore, the conceptual, theoretical as well as the pioneering studies on the topic progressed in the west along with publications of range of documents on the topic including the publication of the Encyclopedia of Vernacular Architecture of the World by Paul Oliver. Hence, the bulk of the literatures published on the topic, based mostly on the studies carried out in the West, shows this pioneering initiative of the western scholars. But these studies and publications are in many ways relevant for similar kind of studies across the globe because of the universal synonymity of the topic. These books are mostly physically inaccessible for their unavailability. However, many of such publications, which were available in the accessible digital format, were consulted. These publications deal with the conceptual as well as the historic development of the study on the vernacular architecture. About the term, Blier in “Vernacular Architecture” in Christopher Tilley et.al Handbook of Material Culture said, “the term “vernacular architecture” also has provided a salient alternative for the larger grouping of buildings once called “primitive”-a both pejorative and notably arbitrary classification which set apart the larger grouping of non-Western architecture from Western and Asian exemplars” (Blier:2006:230).

The Traditional Buildings: A Global Survey of Structural Forms and Cultural Functions (2007) by Allen G. Noble is a comprehensive work on the topic that incorporates discussions on different related aspects such as concept, material, form, function, ritual, embellishment, environment, and so on. The work draws instances from architecture of different parts of the world including vernacular architecture of Brahmaputra valley. Another prominent work, dealing with similar aspects of the subject is the House Form and Culture by Amos Rapoport (1969). In his edited book Built from Below: British Architecture and the Vernacular (2011), Peter Guillery speaks of an extension of the concept to embrace the entire built landscapes and “buildings can provide insights into how people thought”.

Henri Glassie is a prominent name in the study of domestic architecture that reflects the phenomenology of the built environment. His Vernacular Architecture (2000) is a notable work dealing with conceptual to different aspects of the domestic architecture. The Vernacular Architecture in the Twenty-First Century: Theory, Education and Practice (2006) edited by Asquith and Vellinga is the compilation of fourteen essays by eminent scholars of the field that throws light on diverse aspect of the subject. The book also contains a comprehensive introductory chapter by the editors, which presents a comprehensive background and history of the subject. The work also contains a pithy foreword by Nezar AlSayyad where he addressed the etymological and epistemological analysis of the term “vernacular”. The Architecture without Architects: A Short Introduction to Non-Pedigreed Architecture (1964) by Bernard Rudofsky is an important document that “attempts to break down our narrow concepts of the art of building by introducing the unfamiliar world of non-pedigreed architecture” that provides logical insight to the origin of architecture.

The vernacular architecture as an instrument towards the sustainable development is one contemporary significance of the subject. Such virtues of the vernacular architecture are drawing attention of the researchers globally. Thus, the work Lessons from Vernacular Architecture (2014), containing 14 essays by different scholars and edited by Willi Weber and Simos Yannas, throws light on the bio-climatic facets of the vernacular architecture as well as examines the vernacular architecture as a model.

Pioneered by the English scholar, ethnographer, and anthropologists, the studies on the residential or domestic architecture of the region, is a comparatively recent area of investigation, started in the last quarter of the previous century. Thus, for instance, the The Kacharis (1997) by Rev. Sidney Endle includes a vivid description of the built environment of a traditional Kachari village. Similarly, The Garos (1975) by Major A. Playfair discusses the traditional architecture including the bachelor dormitory. On the other hand, The Tribes of the Brahmaputra Valley (1975) by L.A. Waddell contains petite but important information on residential culture of different tribes.

On the other hand, the racial composition or the migration of racial elements has close connection with the development of architecture in Assam. There available different scholarly discussions on different books and research articles. Thus, books such as The History of Civilization of the People of Assam to the Twelfth Century (1987) by P. C. Choudhury, A Hostory of Assam (2005) by S. E.Gait, The People of Assam: Origin and Composition (2003) B. M. Das, and so on contains discussions on migration as well as suggestive discussion on the vernacular architecture of the state also.

Though the conceptual discussion on the topic of vernacular architecture in reference to the state has not seen appearing, there are many published work available on the topic that deals the architecture of the state. Thus, the discussion on the traditional residential architecture Assam and different communities is not negligible. There find comprehensive discussion about the Assamese architecture by K.D. Dev Goswami in the Eri Aha Gaon (2012) and in the “Grihanirman” chapter included in the Asamar Lokasanskriti (2005) by Birinchikumar Barua. Similarly, the volumes by L. Gogoi such as Asamar Sanskriti (2006), Tai Sanskritir Ruprekha (1979) contain much valuable historical information on architecture. The Asamiya Sanskriti (2013) edited by Neog and Gogoi contains numerous valuable essays including one by J.P. Agarwala on Assamese architecture.

The earliest references of the Assamese architecture, built environment, traditional geomancy and orientation appear in the famous maxims of Dak Purush. The book on maxims of Dak namely Dak-Pravacan Aru Dak Parampara (2012) by Nabin Chandra Sarma and Dakar Bacan (complete) (1995), collected by Bipin Chandra Sharma are also important in the study of the vernacular architecture tradition of the state.

The architectures of different tribal communities are gradually seen appearing in the published or unpublished ethnographic studies. The three volumes of Tribes of Assam (1987, 88, 91) incorporates discussions on the architecture of different tribes. Likewise, The Plains Tribes of Lakimpur, Dibrugarh, Sibsagar and Nowgong by Thakur (1972) also discuss the architectures of different plain tribes. The Assamar Loka Kola (2015) edited by Mili and Gohain includes a number of valuable articles on the architectures of different communities of the state. The Tai Buddhist Communities of Assam (2015) by A.K. Gohain incorporates different aspects of the traditional architecture and beliefs associated with the architecture of these communities. These works on the architectures of the different tribal groups turns helpful in the study of the vernacular architecture.

Different scholars and writers are gradually taking up the domestic architecture, housing tradition and socio-cultural belief of different tribal communities in books, monographs, dissertations, thesis and articles. Thus the different related aspect associated with the architecture of the Bodo community are incorporated by Bhabendra Narzi in his book Bodo-Kacharir Samaj aru Sanskriti. Similar aspects are also finds mention in the A Study in Cultural Heritage of the Boros (2009), a book by Kameswar Brahma. The M. Phil dissertation “Folk Architecture of the Bodos: Tradition and Change (With Special Reference to Barpeta District)” by M. Swargiary also throws light on similar aspects. Similarly, book Brihattar Bodo Janagosthir Samajik Sanskriti (2010) by H.B. Chhetri contains worthy discussion on the symbolism of the Bathou altar.

Similarly, the Rabha domestic architecture finds discussion in many works of ethnographic study. The remarkable work is Rabha Janajati (1974) by Rajen Rabha where the tradition and architectural divisions of the Rabha architecture is provided in detail. Likewise, the Rabha Loka-Sanskriti (2006) by Upen Rabha Hakacham has informative discussion about the house tradition of the community. The unpublished thesis of the “Socio Cultural Study of Rabha” by H.N. Goswami deserves mention for lengthy discussion about the architecture of the community.

The Mising architecture finds place in the Mishing Snaskritir Alekhya (1970) edited by Bhrigumuni Kagyung, Mishing Sanskriti(2003) by Jawaharjyoti Kuli, Mising Samaj aru Sanskriti (2003) by Indreswar Pegu to name a few. Thus, the studies on the culture, especially the traditional culture, folklore, and ethnographic studies incorporated the subject of traditional, vernacular, and domestic architecture.

There available many books on the Karbi tribe culture with discussions on the traditional architecture of the community. Thus, the Asamar Janajati (1972) by S. Barkataki, Karbi Sanskritir Prabah (2003) by Sailen Das, Karbi Sanskritir Etihash (2010) by Basanta Das were relevant in the study. Especially in the last book contains a pen-picture of the architecture and construction technique. The book titled Jirkedam (2016) by G.C. Medhi throws a comprehensive discussion on the various aspect of the traditional institution of youth dormitory of the tribe.

Similarly, there is no dearth of study on another prominent tribe of Assam, the Tiwas (Lalungs). The publications on Tiwas such as The Lalungs(1985) by G.C. Sharma Thakur, The Hill Lalungs (1993) by B.K.Gohain or many articles incorporated in the Tiwa Janagosthir Bhasha-Sahitya-Sanskriti (2015) edited by P.K. Deka are mention worthy for their relevance with the topic of research. The book Tiwa Sakalar Chamadi (Dekachang) Anusthan: Eti Bislesantmaka Adhyana (1997) by M. Dewri is a remarkable work on the Tiwa youth dormitory.

The Deori vernacular architecture and built environment is discussed by certain authors to a certain extent. Thus books Deori Sanskritir Itihas (2011) by P. Deori, Deori Itihas (2016) by J.K. Deori, An Introduction to the Deuri Language (2015) by U. Goswami, Deori Samaj aru Samskriti (2005) by S. Deori are some of the works that throws light on the vernacular architecture of the community. The architecture of the Dimasa is discussed, though in a limited space, in the Uttar Kachar Paharar Loka Sanskriti (1998) by D. Duarah, the Dimasha (1974) by N. Hagjer along with in the book The Tribes of Assam (1987) .

The architecture of the rural folk people gradually attracted a host of scholars for their cheer importance, traditionality, and emerging awareness about the virtue of the simple architectures. There is available a host of research work such as dissertation, PhD thesis, research paper, monograph where the subject of the vernacular architecture of state is dealt with due seriousness and scholarly pursuits.