TAQ & DHAJJI - DEWARI (Kashmir’s Architectural Genius)

Jalali House (Srinagar )

Earthquakes have occurred regularly over centuries in Kashmir and people have learnt to live with it.
Two old construction systems known as taq and dhajji — dewari exist here side-by-side and both have tested quake-

resistant features. The recorded cultural history of Kashmir dates back 3,000 years. The oldest known remains of monumental buildings are the earthquake-damaged ruins of early Hindu and Buddhist temples built of large blocks of stone. Later medieval structures, some of them religious buildings constructed by the Muslim community, were made of a more economical and lightweight combination of mud, stone and brick, well tied together with timber. This construction system with its use of masonry laced together with timber, which is mentioned in texts from the 12th century, was the beginning of the urban architecture in the Vale of Kashmir as we know it today. In our time, Srinagar and other cities and villages in Kashmir are distinguished not only by their great monuments, but first and foremost by their vernacular residential architecture. It is an architecture

generated out of a distinctive use of materials and way of building which are adapted to the local climate, culture and natural environment, principally the soft soils and the earthquake risk in the region. At the beginning of the 19th century the systems evolved to become the two main traditional construction systems: taq (timber-laced masonry) and dhajji dewari (timber frame with masonry infill). In Pakistan, timber-laced masonry is known by the Pashto word bhatar. This remarkable vernacular architectural heritage of Kashmir is, however, under threat and is rapidly being lost, especially now, following the earthquake of 2005. Its inherent qualities and great architectural expression, together with its unique construction, are insufficiently recognised or considered important by the citizenry today. Thus this architecture is rapidly being displaced by non-indigenous reinforced concrete buildings, many of which are constructed in a way that has proven to be particularly dangerous in

earthquakes, as was demonstrated in 2005. This paper would breakdown the false narrative of traditional construction taq and dhajji - dewari as absolute, insubstantial and symbolic of poverty. Infact paper would argue

the taq and dhajji — dewari constructions are not just old buildings waiting to be scrapped and replaced, with a few worth setting aside in a theme park or museum: they are buildings that embody distinctly modern construction features – features that can save lives once they are fully researched, understood and embraced.

The ancient architecture of Kashmir

TAQ SYSTEM OF CONSTRUCTION

In taq system of construction there is a bearing wall construction with horizontal timber lasing embedded into masonary. In taq system of construction horizontal timbers are embedded in the masonary walls at each floor level and window lintel level. Taq construction is a bearing wall masonry construction with horizontal timber lacing embedded into the masonry to keep it from spreading and cracking. In taq system , there is a construction of masonary piers of size 1-2 feet square and the window

bay (taqshe) 3-4 feetin width. From this the size of the traditional kashmiri house can be depicted as of 3 taq (window bay) to 13 taq in width. . The masonry piers are thick enough to carry the vertical loads, and the bays may either contain a window, or a thinner masonry wall as required by the floor plan and the building’s orientation.

In taq system of construction the different construction elements are arranged with a modular layout of masonaey piers and window bays tied together just like ladder like construction, as timber is used at each floor level and window lintel level in
which masonary is embedded. A combination of wood and unreinforced masonry laid on weak mortar gave [taq] buildings the required flexibility. The wooden bands tied the mud mortar walls and imparted ductility to an otherwise brittle structure.

An important factor in the structural integrity of taq is that the full weight of the masonry is allowed to bear on the timbers, thus holding them in place, while the timbers in turn keep the masonry from spreading. The spreading forces can result over time from differential settlement – or in an instant in an earthquake. The overburden weight of the masonry in which the timbers are embedded serves to “pre-stress” the wall, contributing to its resistance to lateral forces.

THE JALALI HOUSE : Kashmir’s Marvel Mansion

Jalali House tucked in a hushed neighbourhood of old city’s Zadibal is a signpost of Kashmir’s architectural marvel. Not only it draws horde of people every summer, the house has also become one stop destination for the heritage tourists in Srinagar.

The ancient architect marvel popularly known as Jalali House on the bank’s of Anchar Lake, Zadibal Srinagar, here is synonym to film industry since it featured in Bollywood blockbuster movie 7 Khoon Maaf.

This lone surviving rectangular structure, that once had four wings with a courtyard in the middle, greets visitors with stunning Maharaji brick and lattice works with two hexagonal balconies—Dab—on the corner of each top.

Constructed by Agah Syed Safdar Jalali in 1863 using arch—Taq—structural engineering, heritage house is among the few ancient buildings of 19th century that exhibits the unique tradition, life along with art and architecture of Kashmir.

With movie Fitoor all set to be released on February 12 staring Adatiya Roy Kapoor and Katrina Kaif in leading character people across the Valley believe some shots of movie were filmed inside its premises. Similarly gossips on streets were common during the release of Haider and Rockstar.

The house is divided in two parts; western side consists of big halls—Deewan Khana’s— parallel to each other, then used to thrown parties and eastern side with private rooms meant to host the guests.

Dewaan-Aam in the ground floor, divided into lateral galleries, was meant for social gatherings on every occasion in good olden days. Men of the family would sit along political figures on the upper portion and rest would sit in the general space between galleries.

The Deewaan-Khas on second floor slightly larger than the one below remains the centre of attraction for the visitors and film makers mostly.

The walls of the hall and the rooms, whose entrance paves through lateral galleries, are decorated with colorful handmade flowers using vegetable dyes–Naqashi–where multicolor window panes changes the ambience according to the different lighting conditions of the day.

Only wooden roof and pillars are polished so that it doesn’t catch worms. Rest is untouched be it the design or the color of the walls. The way this house was architected is to keep harsh weather of Kashmir in mind in absence of latest heating/AC technologies.

It’s designed so that it gets max sun in winter and minimum in summer.

Walls are over three feet in thickness and they mostly used wood and clay to keep rooms warm in winter n cool in summer. They also used wood instead of DPC these days to prevent water seepage.

History of this house is although old but the impact from the golden architectural hands of Kashmiri people describes patience, handwork, and talent of our history.

The house has underwent a “single change” since it was constructed as bathroom has been constructed by dividing one of the rooms. During those times the custom of interior bathrooms inside the premises didn’t exist among Kashmiris.

The house also holds a political background in Jammu and Kashmir history as it has hosted former Chief Minister Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, several British Generals and Viceroys along with the founder of Pakistan, Ali Mohammad Jinnah before the Partition.

THE DHAJJI — DEWARI SYSTEM OF CONSTRUCTION

Dhajji — dewari is a timber frame into which one layer of masonry is tightly packed to form a wall, resulting in a continuous wall membrane of wood and masonry. In Dhajji — dewari system of construction there is a wooden frame which is filled with masonry. The wooden members used here can be imparted horizontally, vertically or inclined into the masonry wall. These wooden members divides the masonary wall, so that the crack does not propagate to the whole wall and ultimately imparts strength to the masonry wall.

Dhajji — dewari is a variation of a mixed timber and masonry construction type found around the world in one form or another, both in earthquake and non-earthquake areas. While earthquakes may have contributed to its continued use in earthquake areas, timber and masonry infill frame construction probably evolved primarily because of its economic and efficient use of materials. The term dhajji — dewari comes from the Persian and literally means “patchwork quilt wall”, which is an appropriate

description for the construction to which it refers. The Persian name may provide a clue to Persian influence in the origins of this system of construction. It is also very similar to Turkish homes construction, which was also common beyond the boundaries of Turkey, perhaps in part because of the widespread influence of the Ottoman Empire. Dhajji — dewari consists of a complete timber frame that is integral with the masonry, which fills in the openings in the frame to form walls.

Dhajji — dewari frames are usually “platform” frames, meaning that each storey is framed separately on the one below. In dhajji — dewari, the floor joists are sandwiched between the plates. This framing distinguishes it from heavy timber frame construction which depends for its strength and stiffness on the posts which extend through more than one storey. In the first generation of sawn 2" x 4" (5 cm x 10 cm) stud “balloon frame” construction in the USA, the studs were extended through two

storeys, and the floor joists rested on a timber that was framed into the studs, but this evolved into platform framing in the early 20th century, which is easier to build. Lacking continuity in its vertical timbers, platform frame construction depends for its stiffness on its enclosure membrane. In North American wood frame construction, this was first provided by diagonal sheathing, and now by plywood; in dhajji construction, it is the infill masonry. While dhajji — dewari construction evolved probably for similar economic and cultural reasons that led to the development of similar forms of construction around the world, its continued common use up until the present in Srinagar and elsewhere in the Vale of Kashmir most likely has been in response to the soft soils, and perhaps also to its good performance in earthquakes. Dhajji — dewari construction is very effective

in holding buildings together even when they are dramatically out of plumb. In the mountain areas, where soft soils and related settlements of buildings are not a problem, its use continued probably because timber was available locally and the judicious use of timber reduced the amount of masonry work necessary, making for an economical way of building. Its observed good performance in past earthquakes may also have been a contributing factor, just as it is now again since the 2005 earthquake.

The panel sizes and configuration of dhajji frames vary considerably, yet the earthquake resistance of the system is reasonably consistent unless the panel sizes are unusually large and lack overburden weight.

THE EARTHQUAKE RESISTANCE OF TAQ CONSTRUCTION

Taq system of construction has been found to be quite effective in earthquake like conditions. Many observations have been made by different authors regarding seismic resistance of taq construction. According to professors Rai and Murty many of the older buildings were made of taq system of construction, in which large pieces of wood are used as horizontal runners embedded in the heavy masonary walls. These horizontal runners add lateral load resisting ability of the structure. As

masonary is laced with timber, so destructive cracks are being arrested, thereby evenly distributes the deformation which adds to the energy dissipation capacity of this system, without destabilizing it’s structural integrity and vertical load carrying
capacity.

In taq system of construction the timber runners tie the short wall to the long wall and also bind the pier and the infill to some extent. The greatest advantage gained from such assembly is that they impart ductility to an otherwise brittle structure. Once the ductility gets imparted into the structure it’s energy absorbing capacity gets increased. This increase in energy absorbing capacity becomes the key for Taq system of construction to resist earthquakes. However, what makes the timber laced masonary work well in earthquake is it’s ductile like behavior as a system. In taq system of construction energy dissipation during earthquake takes place because of friction between masonary and timbers and between the masonary units themselves. In taq system of construction it’s to be understood that the mortar is not designed to hold the bricks together, but rather to hold them apart. It’s the timbers that tie them all together. The benefits of energy dissipation are gained from the non destructive

friction and cracking that can take place in a masonry wall that is surrounded and thus confined by the timber bands.

THE EARTHQUAKE RESISTANCE OF DHAJJI — DEWARI CONSTRUCTION

Dhajji — Dewari system of construction too has been found very effective in earthquake like conditions. It has been found that Dhajji — Dewari system of construction occurs less or no damage during earthquakes. The presence of timber studs in Dhajji — Dewari construction, subdivides the infill, arrests the loss of the portion or all of several masonry panels and resists

progressive destruction of the rest of the wall. Moreover, the closely spaced studs prevent propagation of diagonal shear cracks within any single panel, and reduce the possibility of out-of-plane failure of masonry of thin half-brick walls even in the higher storeys and the gable portion of the walls. Dhajji dewari is timber frame construction rather than masonry bearing wall construction. Thus the vertical loads are transferred to the ground primarily, but not exclusively, through the frame. However,

the masonry does form an integral part of the structural system, sharing the vertical load path with the timber frame.

For the same reasons as explained above for taq construction, the mud or weak lime mortar encourages sliding along the bed joints instead of cracking through the bricks when the masonry panels deform. This sliding also serves to dissipate energy and reduce the incompatibility between rigid masonry panels and the flexible timber frame. The basic principle in this weak and flexible frame with masonry infill construction is that there are no strong and stiff elements to attract the full lateral force of the

earthquake. The buildings thus survive the earthquake by not fully engaging with it. This “working” during an earthquake can continue for a long period before the degradation.

The engineering principle behind the earthquake performance of the dhajji walls is a simple one. The subdivision of the walls into many smaller panels with studs and horizontal members, combined with the use of low-strength mortar, prevents the formation of large cracks that can lead to the collapse of the entire infill wall, while the redundancy provided by the many

interior and exterior walls that exist in a standard residential building reduces the likelihood of catastrophic failure of the frame.