Classification (a): Compositional Variety

It is seen that a homestead irrespective of tribal or non-tribal usually possesses a number of units. However, many of them are auxiliary structures such as barn, byre, or cage that are meant for other functional utilities and not for purely residential purpose. And only a few of the architectures of a homestead are truly utilized for the residential purpose.

Thus, considering the vernacular architecture of the state from the perspective of residential architectures of a homestead, it can be broadly classified into two categories:

1. Single Unit Residential Architecture,
2. Multi-Unit Residential Architecture.

1) Single Unit Residential Architecture:

As it is noticed in the region, some of the groups traditionally use a single architecture to accommodate a family of any size. Thus, a family belonging to tribes like Mising, Deori, Karbi, Tai Communities, etc. traditionally live in one residential unit. These tribal groups usually live in stilt architecture of traditional nature. Hence, the number of jakhala (ladder) in a Deori village refers to the number of families in a particular village. Moreover, such one stilt architecture usually integrates all the components such as cooking place or hearth, scullery, distinct sleeping areas for different members of the family within a roof. Though in some cases, a separate structure for the kitchen is annexed to the main house, but technically it still forms a single residential unit. In this category, the courtyard is either absent or sometimes an area of the architecture itself is utilized for the purpose. Similarly, while the platform of the house is utilized as the residence, the area below the platform is used for varied functional purposes. The unmarried youths or even girls of these groups traditionally live in the bachelor dormitory, which happens to be the common community architecture in a village.

2) Multi-Unit Residential Architecture:

The Multi-unit residential house composition is most widely prevalent variety in the state. Here, more than one residential houses are constructed for a family in the homestead. Thus, the multi-unit homesteads usually possess a number of predefined functional architectures known by names such as Bar-ghar, Chora-ghar, Maral-ghar, Randhanighar, etc. invariably around a central courtyard (chotal). This variety is generally prevalent among the non-tribal, Hindu communities as well as among indigenous Muslim communities and certain tribal communities who embraced the Hinduism and entered into the system of social hierarchy.