Essay On Ladakh Architecture

Ladakh, in the world of architecture, reserves a special place, not only for its monuments, but also for having a very innovative architectural style despite having various natural aspects, which have led to the hardships of the inhabitant of that region. Life is strange and difficult in Ladakh but what is fascinating is over the time it has become a part of any Ladakhi’s life practiced over hundreds of generation.

It is a land an extremes paradox in term of climate, geography or architecture. Natural forces and humans living parallel in the region and they have created an extraordinary fusion of ideas that has helped them to overcome natural challenges and in this process they invented unique architectural solutions which are beautiful and

Below paragraph, I will provide detail explanation of the construction system.

‘’Architectural necessity began with the need to provide shelter and most importantly, in Ladakh for protection against sun, wind. What interesting is besides having vagaries of nature, they were able to archive a sense of comfort and aesthetic. Building forms that evolved were extremely simple and versatile. Later it became a character and patterns of development. Religious impact could have never be separated from in Ladakh. Strong ties with the neighboring Kashmir and Western Tibet too left an unavoidable impact on Ladakhi architecture, particularly its religious structures.‘‘ (Sharma, 2003)

Continuous intuitive experimentation led to the juxtaposition of simple forms to complex architectural relationships. As the settlements began to grow it dot the entire landscape of Ladakh and this process led to create impressive interior spaces.

Other than simple houses, several functional built form types emerged and these included Gompas (Buddhist monasteries), palaces and forts.

Major building types that exist in Ladakh are as