Cardiff University | Prifysgol Caerdydd ORCA
Online Research @ Cardiff 
WelshClear Cookie - decide language by browser settings

Principles of design and craftsmanship in the traditional architecture of Jaisalmer

Das, Himanish 2005. Principles of design and craftsmanship in the traditional architecture of Jaisalmer. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University.

[thumbnail of U584023 DEC PAGE REMOVED.pdf]
Preview
PDF - Accepted Post-Print Version
Download (81MB) | Preview

Abstract

The study focuses on the sandstone havelis (urban courtyard houses) of the desert city of Jusahner, north-west Rajasthan, India. While the city has been much admired by cortempotary Indian architects, their understanding has been a Modernist one, based largely on the idea of 'spatial organisation'. This is the first systematic study of the architectural tradition of Jaisalmer. The approach taken is one of detailed formal analysis, through which principles of design have been deduced. Two sources have provided the primary material: the buildings themselves, and the present-day practitioners of the craft tradition, who inherit their practices from the relatively recent, nineteenth-century heyday of kaveli building in the city. Drawings by the author, both detailed measured drawings, and explanatory drawings, have been an essential analytical tool, and form an integral part of the thesis. Setting the context of the tradition, the history of Jaisalmer is outlined, and the form of the city and its districts is described. Three distinct architectural schools, or shaili, are then identified. The Sompuriya shaili (the Sompuras are traditional temple builders) has its roots in the medieval architecture known from surviving temples, the Mughlai shaili is influenced by the imperial Mughal style, while the Angrezi (English) shaili brought an influx of western Classicism. Broadly speaking the schools and their respective styles correspond to three phases, but examples can be found combining these styles, for which a manner of explanations are put forward. The buildings are analysed at their various levels of organsiation: formal and spatial plamring, composition of elevations (interior and exterior), architectural components and details. It is argued mat, as a concept in design, architectural 'form' has traditionally taken precedence over 'space', and that the basic notions of centre, symmetry, and the relation of the part to the whole, are fundamental. Aedicules, miniature representations of buildings, play an important role as compositional elements. Freedom and great inventiveness is demonstrated on the part of the designers, within the medium of the architectural language. The building craftsmen in Jaisalmer work mainly for the local population, and can produce high quality craftsmanship comparable with the best workmanship of the past. Based on a period of six months (January - June, 2003) spent on site with a group of craftsmen, their tools and techniques are described, together with the principles that they use in making certain key components, particularly geometrical jalis (tracery screens). Although craftsmen have traditionally worked directly on stone, never recording designs on paper for fear of copying, the author's informants were willing to demonstrate their methods for the present study. Case studies illustrate the varied application in practice of the design principles. Nine havelis are surveyed, classified typlogically, and analysed in terms of their overall planning and composition. Two further, exceptional examples, from the Patuon ki Haveli group, are treated in greater detail.

Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
Status: Unpublished
Schools: Architecture
Subjects: N Fine Arts > NA Architecture
ISBN: 9781303170560
Date of First Compliant Deposit: 30 March 2016
Last Modified: 23 Aug 2022 13:50
URI: https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/55594

Actions (repository staff only)

Edit Item Edit Item

Downloads

Downloads per month over past year

View more statistics