Geomantic study of homesteads in Bangladesh focusing on maxims of “khona

Abstract

Geomantic studies are focused on the geo-climatic context and other cosmic settings of a region as applied in the built environment design. Bangladesh is a unique country in terms of its socio-cultural background. Its special geographical and climatic features make it in many ways distinguishable from any other region. The built environment of a region is an integral part of its heritage, which has evolved in harmony with the needs and resources. There are some beliefs all over the world, connected with traditional built form. There were some taboos and beliefs regarding the homesteading in our region as well, for comfort and safety in the built environment. Khona’s Maxims deals with such a set of belief. The beliefs and maxims that are directly or indirectly related to built environment designs in Bangladesh is the subject matter of this study. Traditional wisdom in settlement and homesteading is supposed to be sustainable but has never been studied by built environment design professionals particularly in Bangladesh. For sustainable living our built environment need to fit into the natural environment, therefore, this study has been conceived. Bangladesh is at the crossroads of two gigantic civilizations having two built form heritages.ie. Vastu Shastra and Feng Shui and have borrowed from both. Bangladesh is geographically and culturally more akin to Vastu Shastra and the local maxims like “Khona’s bachan” can be better explained with it. Towards that end, certain cases were identified for analyzing Khana’s maxims. …If the roots are alive…..it gives rise to new shoots... (Patrick Geddes). The main intention of the study is to rediscovered and redefines the local maxims related to built environment and analyze those with rational norms. The samples were analyzed in terms of parameters set by ‘Khona’ like-Site layout, Building Design (in terms of orientation, shape and volume, types of forms of buildings, openness and shading, Plinth height, roof, walls, building materials, airflow and openings, ventilation), external spaces, courtyards, landscape, water body etc. It shows that Khona’s maxims are a sort of ancient building by-laws for sustainable homesteading in Bangladesh. Khona’s maxims were cross checked vis-à-vis Vastu Shastra, contemporary standards, and findings. The comparative analysis of the maxim’s of Khona, Vastu Shastra, Contemporary concepts for sustainable design in the warm-humid climate both in the urban and rural context in Bangladesh provides rationality and validity to this ancient local wisdom of homesteading. Field survey confirms that adherence to Khona’s maxims in the built-environment design does bring the built environment to a comfortable and sustainable level. Development of Checklists for application in the contemporary design of built-environment, vis-à-vis building bylaws in Bangladesh is proposed to be the outcome of this study and it can be rightly claimed that this study is the first attempt towards a serious geomantic study on the built environment in Bangladesh, and Khona’s maxims does show relevance in the present context.