SOCIAL STRUCTURE IN EARLY TIMES WERE DIVIDED INTO FOUR MAJOR CASTES

BRAHMINS
Under the Indian caste system, a Brahmin is a member of the highest caste. Priests and scholars are classified as Brahmins, and members of this caste have traditionally been figures of veneration and respect. Brahmins were highly educated and thus able to interpret the will of the gods accurately.

BRAHMIN DWELLING Brahmin houses differ slightly in style, technique and materials, depending on their location. They are almost always connected by a common wall and tend to be narrow in width and very long. They are often without an interior courtyard, but have open spaces in the back. Light and air frequently comes from a clerestory which substitutes for the open courtyard in the flat-roofed houses. Sign of same community and that they can eat together.

VEDIC PERIOD
Nandyavarta o This plan is commonly used for the construction of towns and not for villages. o It is generally adopted for thesites either circular or square in shape.

o The streets run parallel to the central adjoining streets with the temple of the presiding deity inthe center of the town. o The blocks were detachable. o They had internaland external open area with alinda. o Plan resembles the symbol of swastika o Gaushala all around the house Chaturmukha o This is an L shaped plan in which shalas are interconnected . o The outer wall was protected by plinth. o The outer wall had small fenestrations o It had semicovered area known as YAGYASHALA for yagya to take place

KSHTRIYA
The Kshatriya caste is the second top most caste in the caste system in India. Under the Hindu caste system, a Kshatriya is a ruler or warrior. Members of the Kshatriya caste have held power for centuries in India. The word Kshatriya is derived from the words for power and ruler. Members of this caste have traditionally ruled over communities and Indian society.

KSHTRIYA DWELLINGS Houses with large span and facilities. They basically lived in palaces.

VEDIC PERIOD Nandyavatra

o Square plans with shalas around the courtyard. o Inner courtyard and outer open spaces with alinda. o Gaushala all around the house. Maulibhardra

o Concept of V shaped courtyards with shalas all around and a pillared veranda. o Had alinda only at the entrance.

VAISHYAS
The Vaishya are the third of four castes in Indian society. Traditionally, they have composed the merchant class, and they have also provided for Indian society in general through alms giving and the construction of temples, hospitals, and other public facilities. Members of the Vaishya have traditionally been in an awkward position in society, since they are among the lower ranking of the castes, yet they form a crucial part of society. The word Vaishya is derived from a word which means to live, and the caste was originally focused on farming, agriculture, and trading.

VEDIC PERIOD
Sarvatobhadras o This type of town plan is applicable to larger villages and towns, which have to be constructed on a squaresite. o According to this plan, the whole town should be fully occupied by houses of various descriptions and inhabited by all classes of people. o The temple dominates the village. o Houses built on the concept of square shaped plans with courtyard. o Detached shalas. o Plinth protecting outer walls.

SHUDRAS
Under the Hindu caste system, the shudras are the lowest and largest caste. Traditionally, shudras have worked in service, as slaves or practitioners of unskilled trades. members of this caste are not as maligned as Dalits or untouchables, they still face a great deal of discrimination from members of higher castes. The Shudra have classically lived lives of service. Slaves were often classified as Shudra, as were cobblers, blacksmiths, maids, cooks, and so forth. They have typically not been accorded the same rights as higher castes, forced to use different temples and public facilities.

VEDIC PERIOD
Dandakas o These were lower class houses o They had interconnected shalas o First, they were unicelular but later they became multi cellular. o Small fenestrations provided on outer walls.

AT PRESENT INDIAN SOCIETY IS DIVIDED INTO THREE DIFFERENT CLASSES

UPPER CLASS

The upper class in modern societies is often considered as the wealthiest members of society, who also wield the greatest political power. Individuals in the upper class have higher levels of disposable income. They have a very lavish lifestyle. Members of the upper class are typically knowledgeable and have been educated in "elite" settings. Wealthy parents go above and beyond to ensure their children will also be a member of the upper class when they grow up. They have more education facilities. They live in luxurious bunglows. They require a large spaces to satisfy their needs.

MIDDLE CLASS
People belonging to the middle class enjoy very simple life with adequate amount of income. They live a very normal life with less needs than the upper class and dont have a very high standard of livings. They have normal wages which could only satisfy their needs. They live in spaces like apartments and flats as they have less needs.

LOWER CLASS
People in lower class belongs to a very poor family. People suffer irregular employment. They dont have reputed jobs and dont have any job security. Their income is very low and they receive lower wages. They dont have proper dwellings. They live in huts and thatch. Many of them live on roads and footpath.

HOW SOCIAL STRUCTURE INFLUENCE DWELLING FORMS

SUBMMITED BY: MOHIT GUPTA II YEAR B