Vernacular Architecture of Tripura

Tripura is a landlocked state in North East India,

where the seven contiguous states – Arunachal
Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram,
Nagaland and Tripura – are collectively known as
the Seven Sister States

Tripura is bordered by the country of Bangladesh to

the west, north and south; and the Indian states of
Assam to the north east; and Mizoram to the east
Tripura include the narrow valleys, locally known as
lungas, that lie mainly in the western part of the
State
 The hilly frontier state has a unique tradition in arts and crafts, sculpture and architecture,
textiles, wood-carving, basketry and cane and bamboo work. Bamboo and Cane is one of
the most important craft of the state.
 The lands are fertile and rice is cultivated here. There are very few flood plains in Tripura;
they are mostly located in the west and south, and form the main agricultural lands of the
State
 A large number of structures using bamboo as a primary material are built in the plains of
Tripura. These structures may be houses, granaries, shops, workspaces or even large
warehouses. They are of lightweight construction to withstand severe earthquakes; at the
same time, they are also wind resistant. The state of Tripura is famous for her bamboo
screens made from split bamboo, so finely woven that they look almost like ivory. They are
delicately appliqued with coloured bamboo chips.
 Climate: Tropical
 Annual Rainfall: 2100 mm Tripura generally observes tropical weather, marked by heat
and humidity. Summers, winters and monsoons are the three seasons enjoyed by this
state. Where summers extend from the month of March till May, the temperature soars to
the maximum of 35°C. In the late-May, pre-monsoon showers soak the region. Monsoon
season formally arrives in June and prevails till September. With an average rainfall of
2100 mm, the state actually receives heavy downpour. The month of October is
comparatively pleasant as regards weather. Winter season elongates from November to
February, where the average minimum temperature remains 10.5°C. In summers, light
cotton clothing is required to stay cool in hot and humid surroundings; while heavy
woolens are essential in winters. Seeing the weather conditions, the best time to visit
Tripura is between the months of September-March.
 Geographical Location Location:56' N - 24°32' N, 90°09' E - 92° 10'E
 Altitude:ft to 3080 ft above sea level
 Area:92 sq.
 Architectural typologies have developed in the North East as factors of tradition , climate
and functionality. The materials used are locally available materials like bamboo, cane ,
cane leaves, mud, and lime. Of late, bricks. stone chips, rock slabs, surkhi etc. are also
being used. Sloping roofs are a common architectural feature in all the architectural
typologies because of high rainfall in the North East .
 Construction of this type of house generally takes place in the dry season / winters.
Sourcing of construction materials like thatch/timber/bamboo are collected during winters
only.
 Bamboo/wooden posts are erected and then beams/logs are connected and rafters placed
and tied up.
 The whole community participates in the construction of this type of house.
Indigenous/traditional tools are used in the construction. Generally nails or other steel
materials are not used for making connections between various members.
 The construction of this type of housing takes place ina single phase. Typically, the
building is originally not designed for its final constructed size.
 These houses are generally rectangular in shape and are similar to bamboo Kutchha houses with linear pla
nning and rooms opening into each other.
 These houses are constructed over bamboo posts and bamboo diagonal bracings are tied to form the stilt a
reas.
 The structure above is formed by horizontal members tied across the bamboo posts with jute ropes and usi
ng dowel and tenon joints.
 The stilt height is typically 1.50 to 2.00 meters from the ground level.
 The space below the stilt is often used to store a canoe for emergency usage during floods .
 The stilted houses are typically designed to keep out the effects of heavy monsoon.
 The floor and walls inlays are mostly bamboo weaves, which allows the water of floods and heavy rains to
pass rather than getting stored.
 The roofs of the houses are made by fixing bamboo trusses over the posts, over which local grass is laid.
 The roof height from the weaved floor is approximately 3.50 meters.
 A bamboo loft is fixed below the roof inside for secure storage of goods in case of floods.
 Bamboo being a bad conductor of heat keeps the interiors cool and adequate ventilation through the perm
eable floors and wall keeps the moisture content inside the houses low.
 Field fences of Tripura
 Simple open-type field fences seen in the plains of Tripura are made of longitudinal
splits of bamboo with interlacing horizontal and vertical members spaced well apart. In
order to achieve a strong structure with an economical use of materials, combinations
of whole bamboo, longitudinal halves, quarters and splits of smaller dimensions are
used. Bamboo culms cut to suitable lengths are anchored in the ground and used as
posts. These are spaced apart, and horizontal members of longitudinal halves are
held between the posts. These may be either be lashed on to the posts or attached
through a housed joint, where the horizontal member penetrates the post through a
hole cut in it.
The interweaving of members eliminates the need for binding, thus saving on labour
and avoiding the use of any special binding material. When binding is done, cane
splits, lengths of wire or some locally available fibre rope is utilized. Bamboo splits
twisted to make fibrous ropes are also used as binding material.

 House Fences
 Fences around houses in the plains of Tripura use bamboo boards made by flattening
whole culms, 50 to 75-mm in diameter. The fences are of the closed type, with the
boards woven closely packed together without any gaps. The plain weave, the twill
weave and occasionally a decorative variation of the twill pattern are used. These
fences are usually extended above human height. The fence is supported by whole
bamboo posts anchored in the ground and spaced apart as necessary. Great care is
taken in making these fences.

 BASICALLY FOUR TYPES OF HOUSES ARE CONSTRUCTED IN TRIPURA

1.THE RIANG HOUSE

2.THE MUD HOUSE
3.TIN HOUSE
AND
4.COMBINATION OF TIN SHEETS,MUD,BAMBOO MATERIALS.
 Riang tribals of Tripura build their houses with bamboo used as the primary material for
construction. In some cases, even the thatched roof is made of bamboo leaves. These
houses are typical hill dwellings, constructed on bamboo slits to create a large horizontal
platform, the floor of the house.
 Bamboo posts are arranged on a square grid and inclined whole bamboo members
strengthen these. A required number of posts extend above the surface of the floor
platform to support the roof structure.
 The plan of the Riang house is normally a long rectangle, with a covered verandah in front
and an open verandah at the back. A large enclosed room is located between these
verandahs. A single roof covers the front verandah and the room. The roof slopes
downwards on either side.
 Boards made of flattened bamboo culms are used to cover the floor of the room and to
make the walls and doors. The floor of both verandahs are made from either whole
bamboo or longitudinal halves placed side by side and bound to the beam structure below
the floor. A single log, which is notched, forms the short ladder at the front of the house.
SECTION SHOWING THE CONSTRUCTION OF RIANG
HOUSE
JOINERY DETAIL
JOINERY DETAILS
MUD HOUSE
 The architecture of Tripura relates to the socio-economic setup, the
cultural identities and a good climatic responsiveness. A good number
of climate responsive design features are revealed during the study of
the housing forms including temperature control, enhancing natural
ventilation, protection from natural calamities such as flood ,
earthquakes etc. However certain features that lack in the traditional
housing are mostly: fire proneness and termite infestation due to usage
of non treated bamboo and wood; lack of damp proofing and use of
non stabilized soil for construction too pose problems like dampness of
walls and washouts during rainfall