Shelter (Our Houses)

Pucca house versus kaccha house

The choice between the two types of house mainly depends on climate, available material and economic condition.

House design according to climate and region

In different geographical regions of India, house design follows the local climate. In hilly areas, wooden houses with sloped roofs are built so snow/rain water flows off easily. In coastal areas, airy and raised houses are built, while in desert Rajasthan, houses have thick mud walls and small windows, which help keep the inside cool in summer and warm in winter.

This idea shows children that human beings have always adapted to their natural surroundings — this is EVS's core theme that 'humans and the environment influence each other'.

Rajasthan's traditional architectural features

In Rajasthan's traditional houses and havelis, architectural elements such as the jharokha (an ornately decorated projecting window for looking outside), chhatri (a small dome-shaped structure) and aangan (an open central courtyard) are found, which help with air circulation and natural cooling. In desert areas, 'dhani'-style settlements are also seen, where a small cluster of houses is grouped together.

Today, the Government of India's Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) is attempting to provide pucca houses in rural and urban areas, so families living in kaccha houses can get safe shelter.

Basic facilities needed in a house

A safe, healthy house needs more than just a roof and walls — availability of drinking water, a toilet, electricity and proper ventilation are equally necessary. A region's standard of living is assessed based on the availability of these facilities, which is why the topic of 'houses' in EVS isn't limited to design alone — it also connects to the idea of 'access to basic facilities'.

The expansion of rural electrification and piped-water schemes has notably improved basic facilities in homes over recent years, also improving the standard of living for families living in kaccha houses.

Disaster-resistant housing

House-building also takes region-specific natural disasters into account — in earthquake-prone areas, light and flexible structures (such as wood-based construction) are considered safer, while in flood-prone areas houses are built raised above the ground. This shows that a 'good house' should be not just attractive but also safe according to the region's challenges.

The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana is divided into two parts — 'PMAY-Rural' for rural areas and 'PMAY-Urban' for urban areas — so that assistance can be given according to each area's distinct housing needs and construction challenges.

How shelter has evolved over time

Human shelter wasn't always as it is today — early humans lived in caves, then gradually learned to build huts from leaves and branches, after which permanent houses of mud and stone began to be built, and today brick-cement pucca and multi-storey buildings are common. This gradual evolution shows that humans have continuously adopted new techniques according to their needs for safety, protection from weather, and durability.

Cleanliness and ventilation inside a house are just as important as its outer design — enough sunlight and airflow keep a house healthy, while closed, dark houses carry a higher risk of dampness and germs. This is why the design of courtyards and jharokhas in traditional Rajasthani houses served not just an aesthetic purpose but also the practical goal of maintaining natural air, light and hygiene.

Houses of different regions of India

House design always changes according to local climate and available material.

How to teach this to children

Practice Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

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