CHAPTER 4- CASE STUDY 2 :RAMGARH VILLAGE, NAINITAL

The Nainital district is a famous tourist destination in Uttarakhand. It is in the Naini lake region. Nainital district has many villages which have preserved their traditional building techniques and the architectural styles. The villages involved in this case study are Ramgarh village and Padampuri village.

Fig 20: Nainital district of Kumaon Region

(Source: Autocad and Photoshop)

RAMGARH VILLAGE, UTTARAKHAND

Ramgarh village, the fruit bowl of Uttarakhand, is a beautiful hill station in the Kumaon region. The traditional houses in the area have preserved their vernacular architectural styles along the time.

People of the same caste or of the same family reside in these houses. The Bakhli gets divided within different generations of the same family.

The Bakhli usually has a big gathering space in front of it and agricultural lands around it and is generally away from the main roads.

Fig 21: A typical row house (Bakhli) in Ramgarh Village (Source: On site photography)

Slated Stone Roof

Small Window Openings on the first floor

Gaushala on the ground floor Main door to the first floor

Gaushala on the ground floor to keep the upper floor warm.

Dwelling unit 1 Dwelling unit 2

Storage area in front of the gaushala to keep the cattle’s food and other belongings.

Pathway for the bakhli entrance.

Fig 22: Ground floor plan of two dwelling units in a Bakhli or row house

Dwelling unit 1

Wooden frame

Dwelling unit 2

Kitchen is usually placed at the end of the house.

Bigger room in between which is usually divided depending upon the family members. Small room facing the pedestrian pathway with small windows.

Staircase to the first floor

Fig 23: First floor plan of two dwelling units in a Bakhli or row house