BS.

Architecture Design

Indigenous architecture
Submitted by

Talia Batool

Submitted to

Ar. Khalid Chauhan

Subject:

Architecture in Pakistan

Session 2019-2024

Multan College of arts

Bahauddin Zakariya
University Multan
Indigenous Architecture
Indigenous Architecture is broadly defined as an architectural style which reflects
local traditions. It is designed with indigenous construction material and based on the local
needs.

Origin
It originated when people were forced to use natural resources as a shelter, in
response to climate. It is a type of architecture which is native to a specific time and place
and is not copied or replicated from anywhere and uses
handmade old construction practices. It emphasizes
sustainability, and using materials which ensure that a
structure stays cool from inside without the need of power
intensive air-conditioning.
Indigenous people construct their dwellings with
local and natural materials, using little energy in their
formation, harvesting, and transportation. Materials like
wood, grass, stone and earth are all part of the natural cycle of the earth and have been for
millions of years. Properties of these materials allow them to be infinitely renewable while
leaving little or no trace of their existence behind after their use.

Influences on Indigenous Architecture

One of the most significant influences on indigenous architecture is the

macroclimate of the area. The design of indigenous architecture evolves over time in sync
with the context where the building exists and including various other factors like:
•Availability of resources
•Skilled workforce
•Climatic and geological
•Historical influence
•Local culture
•Environment
•Natural and local skills
•Local technology
•Local materials

It is influenced by human behavior and the

environment. Architects have been sourcing
climate responsive methods which can be
applied to modern construction. It is a result
of four basic factors namely:
•Site
•Climate
•Material
•Skill
 Indigenous Architecture in the Subcontinent and Pakistan: A
Historical Timeline
The Indian subcontinent, encompassing modern-day Pakistan and India, boasts a rich and
diverse tapestry of indigenous architectural traditions. These styles, deeply rooted in local
materials, environmental considerations, and cultural practices, have evolved over
millennia, leaving behind a legacy of stunning and functional structures.

1. Pre-Harappan and Harappan Era (7000 BCE - 1300 BCE):

 Mehrgarh (7000-3300 BCE): This archaeological site

in Pakistan's Balochistan province reveals some of the
earliest evidence of settled life and sophisticated
architecture in the region. Mudbrick houses with
courtyards, drainage systems, and public buildings
hint at an organized and advanced society.

Mehrgarh archaeological site in Pakistan

 Indus Valley Civilization (3300-1300 BCE):

The Harappan civilization, flourishing across the Indus

Valley in both India and Pakistan, is renowned for its
meticulously planned cities like Mohenjo-daro and
Harappa. Grid-patterned streets, advanced drainage
and sanitation systems, and well-constructed homes
using fired bricks showcase remarkable engineering
and urban planning skills.
Most houses had inner courtyards, with doors that
opened onto side-lanes. Some buildings had two
stories
Mohenjodaro archaeological site in Pakistan

2. Vedic and Post-Vedic Period (1500 BCE - 600 BCE):

 Timber and thatched roofs: This era saw the widespread

use of wood and bamboo in construction, particularly in
the Deccan Plateau and Eastern India. Thatched roofs
provided insulation and protection from the elements.
 Early rock-cut architecture: The period witnessed the
emergence of rock-cut caves as religious and residential
spaces. Ajanta and Ellora caves in India are breathtaking
examples, adorned with intricate sculptures and
paintings.
 Ajanta and Ellora caves in India
 3. Mauryan Empire (322 BCE - 185 BCE):

Stupas and Ashokan pillars: The Mauryan era

introduced the iconic stupa, a hemispherical Buddhist
monument housing relics. Ashokan pillars, monolithic
columns carved with edicts and intricate Buddhist
symbols, stand as testaments to the empire's artistic
and ideological influence.

Ashokan pillar in India

4. Gupta Empire (320 CE - 550 CE):

Temple architecture: The Gupta period ushered in a

golden age of temple construction, particularly in North
India. Elaborate brick and stone temples dedicated to
Hindu deities showcased intricate carvings, soaring
towers (shikharas), and mandapas (halls) .The Sun
Temple at Konark is a prime example.

Khajuraho temples in India

5. Medieval Era (600 CE - 1500 CE):

 Pallava and Chola Dynasties (South India): Dravidian

temple architecture reached its zenith under the Pallavas and
Cholas, with towering gopurams (gateways) adorned with
sculptures and intricate carvings. The Brihadeeswarar
Temple in Thanjavur stands as a magnificent example

Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur, India

 Western Chalukya and Hoysala Dynasties (South

India): These dynasties further refined Dravidian
architecture, with intricate detailing in pillars, friezes,
and ceilings. The Hoysala temples of Belur and
Halebidu are masterpieces of stone carving.
Hoysala temples of Belur and Halebidu in India

 Indo-Islamic Architecture: The arrival of Islam in the subcontinent led to a unique fusion
of styles. Mosques incorporated elements like the pointed arch, minarets, and geometric
patterns, while retaining aspects of Indian craftsmanship. The Qutub Minar in Delhi and
Badshahi Mosque in Lahore are iconic examples.
 Badshahi Mosque in Lahore, Pakistan Qutub Minar Dehli Shah Rukhn e ALAM

6. Mughal Empire (1526 CE - 1857 CE):

Mughal architecture: The Mughals marked a high point

in Indo-Islamic architecture, blending Persian and
Central Asian influences with Indian elements. Grand
forts, palaces like Agra's Taj Mahal, and intricately
decorated mosques like Jama Masjid in Delhi showcase
the grandeur and elegance of this era.
Mughal buildings have a uniform pattern of structure and
character, including large bulbous domes, slender minarets at
the corners, massive halls, large vaulted gateways, and
delicate ornamentation and chaharbagh Jama Masjid in Delhi, India

7. Regional Vernacular Styles:

Beyond the grand empires, each region of the
subcontinent and Pakistan developed its own distinct
vernacular architecture, adapted to local climate,
materials, and cultural practices. Some notable examples
include:
Kashmiri Dwelling: Houses in Kashmir are built with
timber and stone, featuring sloping roofs to withstand
heavy snowfall and intricate wood carvings.
Kashmiri Dwelling

 Kerala Architecture: Houses in Kerala are elevated on

stilts to protect against floods, with sloping roofs covered
with palm leaves and walls made from bamboo or clay.

Sindhi Thar Houses: In the

Thar desert of Sindh, houses
are constructed with mud
bricks and feature thick walls
and small windows for
insulation and protection
from the harsh desert climate. Kerala Architecture house .
Thar dwelling
 Hill architecture: The use of stone and wood in houses and temples in the Himalayan
regions.
Northern areas: They are built around a central fire place and
are almost square in dimension. There are no internal walls. The
external walls are of mud bonded stone rubble and windowless.
The only opening is in the roof above the fire place. The roof itself
is supported on four timber posts. These are sometimes linked at
plinth level by timber members so as to resist earthquake forces.
The floor is normally of compacted earth, and in the case of the
more affluent, of timber boards. The roof consists of rough timber
rafters covered with branches of trees. These in turn are covered
with ‘halli’ the skin of the ‘Tall’ tree, for water-proofing, and finally
with ‘gara’

8. Modern Adaptations:

In the 20th and 21st centuries, indigenous architectural traditions are being adapted to
contemporary needs and materials. Architects like kamil khan and Yasmin lari have
employed indigenous principles in modern buildings, promoting sustainable and culturally
sensitive design.

Conclusion:
The indigenous architecture of Pakistan is characterized by its connection to local materials,
sustainable building practices, and a deep respect for the natural environment. From the
intricate designs of Mughal monuments to the simplicity and functionality of traditional
dwellings in rural areas, these structures tell the stories of the people who built them and
the societies they represent.

References:

 History of Architecture in India by E.B. Havell

 The Architecture of Pakistan by Yasmeen Lari
 Vernacular Architecture of the Himalayas by Terry S. Ahluwalia
 The Oxford History of Indian Art by Catherine Asher and Thomas Trautmann