Chapter 11: Conclusion

Developed over time by the folk wisdom and continuing through the folk tradition, the vernacular architecture is primarily the common and traditional building stock of a region or group, which primarily developed to meet the housing and associated needs of a community. The vernacular architecture, which is primarily residential and utilitarian in nature, is an important chapter of human history and cultural development. The vernacular architecture of Assam, especially the of the Brahmaputra valley, is remarkable for its richness, variedness, functionality, aesthetic quality, technical virtuosity, and contemporary relevance. The vernacular architecture not only satisfies the need of the people but it simultaneously expresses the artistic, cultural, and supernatural outlook of the society. It is thus an important constituent of culture subtly carrying human history.

The vernacular architecture of the state primarily consists of the categories of residential architecture, seasonal architecture, and community architecture. The residential architecture incorporates the structures constructed in connection with the permanent settlement in the typically developed built environment. On the other hand, the community architectures fulfil the demand of community congregation and community living. Simultaneously, the seasonal architectures are the seasonal shelters used by the people for various specific needs. All these three varieties of architectures collectively form the body of VA of Assam.

The global studies and discussions on this body of architecture have highlighted number of conceptual terminologies. The concept borrowed from language, the label ‘vernacular’ appropriates and equates these architectures with language. Therefore, the label of vernacular architecture have not only received wider recognition and acceptance but shows appropriateness for its parity with language discerned at the level of learning and acquiring as well as transformation process. Thus, like language, different aspects of architectural oeuvre of the vernacular architecture are acquired and transmitted through imitation and words of mouth. It well supports the acceptance of the term ‘vernacular architecture’ for this body of traditional material.

The vernacular architectures of the state are generally gable roofed, though there are prevalence of hip roof or occasional cross-hip roof also. The body of this traditional materials show the prevalence of different stylistic and typological varieties. Thus, while the bulk of the body of vernacular architectures is earth-fast, there is prevalence of stilt variety also. Such varieties are reflective of the demographic composition of the state. Thus, the tribal populations of the Indo-Mongoloid stock are primarily stilt dweller and generally construct one residential structure for a family. Contrarily, the non-tribal population of the state are ground dwellers, who construct more than one residential structure around a courtyard for a family. Thus, the vernacular architecture of the tribal population and non-tribal population show certain distinctive characters to segregate them in two separate stylistic varieties. However, certain Mongoloid groups present a different scenario from those two divisions and can be clubbed together as the third variety of style of vernacular architecture of state. These three divisions of VA, segregated from empirical ethno-cultural perspective, are termed as Tribal style, Non-Tribal style, and Intermediary style.

Different stylistic varieties of vernacular architecture of Assam are the product and contribution of the culture of different racial groups that settled here. Thus, the Australoid, Caucasoid or Alpine, Aryan, and Indo-Mongoloid racial cultures developed the rich traditions and styles of the VA of the state. Simultaneously, it seems that the early settlers of Australoids and Caucasoids, especially the Alpine stock established the foundation of the vernacular architecture tradition and developed the earth-fast variety of architecture. The Aryan culture and tradition further enriched and boosted the tradition. Subsequently, the IndoMongoloids contributed with the stilt variety of vernacular architecture of the state. The tradition of vernacular architecture of the state is flexible enough to adapt, incorporate, and modify along with the demand of time and circumstance. Thus, the vernacular architecture tradition of the state has gradually adopted and appropriated even the modern architectural development such as the new typology of Assam type, which was gradually appropriated and incorporated into the vernacular architecture tradition of the state.

In the growth and development of the styles of the vernacular architecture of the state, there was the reciprocal influence of the housing culture of different racial groups. There might have been inspiration and borrowal of different elements across the styles in different spheres, including development of forms. Thus, it is logical to conclude that certain early Indo-Mongoloid settlers of the state adopted the earth-fast variety because of the working of the processes of acculturation and Sanskritization. Similarly, certain tribal groups have adopted the form of byre from the Non-Tribal style of vernacular architecture while Tribal style influenced the Non-Tribal style in respect of barn. Contrarily, there is reason to think that the form and content of the chora- ghar has developed from the tribal community architecture of deka- chang.

The architectures across the styles are constructed using traditional natural materials and traditional techniques. While the construction techniques of different communities possess certain individual features, simultaneously there exist certain similarities in the general construction technique of certain elements, especially the roof, truss, or the construction of wall. However, every community of the state more or less possess own layout, forms, technique, and terminologies relating with their VAs.

The vernacular architecture of the state, especially the tribal communities, possesses a vital body of community architecture. Thus, the community architecture of the non-tribal population of state is of religious nature. However, the tribal vernacular architecture traditions invariably possess the community architecture of bachelor dormitory, which is secular and very important element in the trajectory of life and culture. The community architectures play a strong role in the traditional societies of the state.

The studies and researches have gradually highlighted varied significances, merits, importance, and contemporary relevance of the vernacular architecture that substantiate the validity of these architectures. The embeddedness of these architectures with the traditional culture and life of the people is one important feature of these architectures. Simultaneously, these architectures are often appreciated for their relevance in the contemporary socio-cultural, economic, ecological, and technical validity. The new experiments in the field has brought out the possibility of using materials and other aspects of vernacular architecture architecture tradition in the field of modern contemporary housing complying to the demands of the time.

The present study is an endeavour to look into an important aspect of traditional culture and folklore of Assam i.e. the VA of Assam. However, the study has brought out and opened up new vistas and areas of inquiry embedded in the topic. Though the present study primarily endeavoured to survey, classify, and document aspects such as material, technique, socio-cultural and folkloric aspects of vernacular architecture, but the depth of each aspects demands a separate study on each of these areas. Thus, the vernacular architecture of the state possesses numerous avenues and perspectives of looking the subject and explore through undertaking research on such areas. Therefore, it is felt from the study that aspects such as material, form, technique, spatial appreciation, socio-cultural and folkloric implication of the vernacular architecture along with the vernacular architecture traditions of different ethnic groups or a comparative appreciation are the probable avenues of research and standpoints for looking at the subject. Notwithstanding, the vernacular architecture is an important body of material that deserves proper attention and appreciation from such diverse perspectives.