The Anglo-Indian Bungalow
A Colonial Architecture of the British Raj and its Social Impact
P. Varghese (TU Delft - Architecture and the Built Environment)
Pauline van Roosmalen – Mentor (TU Delft - Teachers of Practice / U)
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Abstract
The bungalow dwelling seen in many of the English speaking countries and British colonies originates in British colonial India, and is a hybrid of western and eastern architecture. This article answers the following research questions “What is the bungalow typology?” “What influence did the British architectural style have on the regional variants of the bungalow?” “How has the bungalow adapted to the climatic conditions of India?” "What has been the social impact of this housing type on the middle class in India and Britain? This study shows that the bungalow is able to adapt to various climatic conditions and architecture styles. Another important finding of this article is that the bungalow in the colonial landscape of British India was set to create a social divide and perception of “white supremacy and elitism.” It also unintentionally turned out to be the most favored house typology amongst the rising middle class in India and Britain, and so had a positive social effect on these populations.