mahatma gandhi’s home in sewagram - … of bapu kuti...case-study of bapu kuti – mahatma...

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International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology (IJCIET) Volume 6, Issue 7, July (2015), pp. 51-58, Article ID: Article ID: 20320150607007

Available online at

http://www.iaeme.com/currentissue.asp?JType=IJCIET&VType=6&IType=7

ISSN Print: 0976 – 6308 and ISSN Online: 0976 – 6316

© IAEME Publication

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CASE-STUDY OF BAPU KUTI – MAHATMA

GANDHI’S HOME IN SEWAGRAM

Ayush Srivastava1, Shashi Shekhar Singh

1

1Department of Civil Engineering, MVN University, Palwal, Haryana, India,

ABSTRACT

In early 1936, Gandhiji expressed his wish to make his residence in

a village after leaving Sabarmati Ashram. On 30th April, 1936 Gandhiji

shifted his residence to Segaon village. This work shows the construction

technology used for Gandhiji’s home along with its historical and social

importance. The house was built under the condition, put forth by Mahatma

Gandhi, that the overall cost should not exceed 500 rupees (for Bapu Kuti). As

per the study of Bapu Kuti, we figured out that it has been engineered as

earthquake resistant, cyclonic resistant, storm resistant, thermal insulated and

follows sun-diagram.

Keywords: Sewagram, Adi Nivas, Bapu Kuti, Bapu’s Office, Ba Kuti, Akhiri

Nivas.

Cite This Article:

Ayush Srivastava, Shashi Shekhar Singh, Case-Study of Bapu Kuti –

Mahatma Gandhi’s Home In Sewagram. International Journal of Civil

Engineering and Technology, 6(7), 2015, pp. 51-58.

http://www.iaeme.com/currentissue.asp?JType=IJCIET&VType=6&IType=7

_____________________________________________________________________

1. INTRODUCTION

The hut which was built according to Gandhiji’s instructions was called as ‘ADI

NIVAS’ after his demise. The materials used for the construction of this hut, as per

Bapu’s desire was collected from within 75 kilometers radius. The local artisans with

the help of Ahramites built this hut. Along with Bapu and Ba (Kasturaba Gandhi),

Pyarelalji, Saint Tukadoji Maharaj, Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan, etc, would also live in

this hut from time to time together with occasional guests. Bapu lived in one corner of

the hall where he would meet visitors and also conduct all his readings, writings and

spinning activities. This hut witnessed the first meeting of ‘Quit India Movement’.

When the rush in ‘ADI NIVAS’ increased, it became difficult for Gandhiji to continue

his activities in it. Therefore, it was decided that Bapu should shift to Meeraben’s hut,

while she prepared another hut nearby for herself. These huts later came to be known

Zainab Ali Omran, Wisam Shamkhi Jaber


as ‘BAPU KUTI’ and ‘BAPU’S OFFICE’ respectively. Kasturba Gandhi had to suffer

many inconveniences while living in the midst of so many men in ‘ADI NIVAS’ and

‘BAPU KUTI’ later on in. Bapu consented on the persuasion of Jamnalalji, the

construction of a small hut for her near ‘BAPU KUTI’ which was called as ‘BA

KUTI’. Another hut ‘AKHIRI NIVAS’ is built near ‘BAPU KUTI’ for the residence

of Jamnalalji.

2. CASE-STUDY

Figure 1 - Map Showing Sewagram Ashram

2.1 ADI NIVAS

Gandhiji wrote to Jamnalalji Bajaj on 19th

March, 1936 about his ideas on the

construction of a hut for his residence. “If Ba desires then with her, otherwise I would

live alone in a hut in Segaon. Meeraben’s hut may not suffice for me. As little

expenses as possible should be incurred in building the hut and in no case should it

exceed Rupees One Hundred. Whatever help I might need, I should obtain from

Segaon. Whenever necessary I should have to visit Maganwadi. For that I may use

whatever vehicle I can get.”

Figure 2 - adi nivas

Case-Study Of Bapu Kuti – Mahatma Gandhi’s Home In Sewagram


The hut which was built according to Gandhiji’s instructions was named as ‘ADI

NIVAS’ after his demise. The materials used for the construction of this hut, as per

Bapu’s desire, were the locally available low cost building materials that included a

special type of locally available mud called as ‘Garhi Mitti’, Bamboo grasses,

Sagavan woods; wheat-husk, cow-dung, etc. which were collected from within a

range of not more than 75 kilometers radius. The hut was constructed by the local

artisans with the help of local Ahramites. The cost of construction of this hut came to

be Rupees Five Hundred after its completion.

The foundation of this hut was constructed by using black stone foundation

technology. Stone pieces were arranged in desired layout as per their available shapes

and sizes. Walls over the foundation were constructed by using mortar formed by

mixing garhi mitti, cow-dung and wheat-husk with substantial amount of water. The

thickness of the walls of Adi Nivas is of about twelve inches. Over the walls there

runs a wooden framework made by sagawan and bamboo. The whole construction

provides necessary suspension to the structure that makes it earthquake resistant. The

roof is covered with bamboo, mats and mud-tiles. The materials used for wall

construction induce the property of thermal insulation that makes the structure cooler

in summers as well as warmer in winters. It has verandah on all the sides along with

entrances. This gives proper ventilation to the structure. A bathroom is constructed on

the south-eastern corner and a kitchen is constructed on the south-western corner

which ensures sunlight in the respective rooms throughout the day. Meetings and

sitting arrangements were made in the verandah present in the eastern, western and

northern sides which ensures diffused sunlight in the daytime ensuring comfort to the

people sitting there. The roof in the verandah openings were supported by wooden

piles. Wooden chhajjas were constructed by using bamboos that hung from the roof

which provided spaces to keep the articles on them.

Figure 3 - (a) interior view, (b) bath tub installed in bathroom of Adi Nivas



2.2 BAPU KUTI and BAPU’S OFFICE

Initially Meeraben had constructed a small hut for her to stay and to teach carding and

spinning to villagers. This hut is about 75 feet on the north of Adi Nivas. When the

rush in Adi Nivas increased, it was difficult for Gandhiji to continue his activities in

it. Therefore, it was decided that Bapu should shift to Meeraben’s hut as she shifted to

Varun Village nearby for herself.

Figure 4 - BAPU KUTI

Meeraben’s original hut was very small. The northern verandah, a toilet-cum-

bathroom, a guest room and an entrance on western side were added after Bapu had

moved into it. Bapu would sit in the corner of northern room which Meeraben had

used to teach carding and spinning. Later on iron mesh and glass were added to the

window near his seat for light and safety from rains. This window also helped visitors

to have Bapu’s Darshan (to see Bapu) from outside without disturbing him. This room

was widened to make more space for visitors. A local variety of curtain made of palm

leaves was put up on the door and at times of rains. A cloth fan was also hung

overhead which was moved to and fro by Bapu’s secretary sitting in small rooms on

the front and back sides by the help of a rope.

Gandhiji put forward his three desires before construction of this hut. First, the hut

should cost maximum of Rupees five hundred only. Second, the materials for the

construction of this hut should be brought from not more than twenty kilometers

radius from the site of construction and should be constructed by the local artisans and

ahramites. Third, one should get direct view of sky from anywhere inside the hut.

Numerous architects came from all over the world to construct the hut based on

Gandhaji’s desired conditions but were unable to do so. At last Gandhiji himself

designed his hut on the basis of his own conditions and it was found that the total cost

of construction of this hut came to be 499 Rupees and 50 paise.

In these huts, the method used for the construction of foundation was exactly same as

that of ‘Adi Nivas’. The foundation was made up using stones such that the walls over

the foundation were constructed in a different way. The dimensions of the wall to be

constructed were taken and a grid framework of bamboo was made of the desired

dimensions. The framework was fixed into the ground with the grid placed over the

foundation in form of wall. Now, a mixture of garhi mitti, cow-dung and wheat husk

was made and was applied on the both sides of the framework, making it up to six

inches thick. This gave a proper suspension to the wall. The bamboo framework acted

as reinforcement and the wall thus constructed is just like present day shear walls.

Space was left on the top side so as to provide proper ventilation and passage of light

into interiors. Construction of roof and verandah of ‘BAPU KUTI’ were similar to

that of the technology used in the ‘Adi Nivas’.



(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

Figure 5 - (a), (b) pictures showing the arrangement of sagawan woods and bamboo on the

roof as seen from interiors, (c) Picture showing the Northern room where Gandhiji used to do

his activities, (d) Picture showing the layout of the wall



As per Bapu’s requirements, large space for visitors was not needed in this hut. So,

there was verandah in north and east sides only. Entrances were there on the north,

east and west sides. There are three rooms in total in this hut. Northern room is where

Bapu used to sit and perform his activities. Middle room was made for Kasturba.

Room on the south side had a partition in middle. On one side of partition was toilet-

cum-bathroom and on the other side was Gandhiji’s hospital.

To the north-eastern side of ‘Bapu Kuti’ is ‘Bapu’s office’. Gandhiji used to perform

all his official works here. His associates like Mahadevbhai Desai, Pyarelalji and

Rajkumari Amrit Kaur used to sit here. The construction technology used in

construction of this hut is exactly same as that of ‘Bapu Kuti’.

Figure 6 - BAPU’S OFFICE

2.3 BA KUTI

Kasturba had to suffer many inconveniences while living in the midst of so many men

in ‘Adi Nivas’ and later on in ‘Bapu Kuti’. Bapu consented on the persuasion of

Jamnalalji, the construction of a small hut for her near ‘Bapu Kuti’. The hut which

was then built is called as “BA KUTI”. Kasturba lived in this hut with a few women

inmates and sometimes with occasional women guests.

The construction technology used for construction of this hut is exactly the

same as that of ‘Adi Nivas’.

Figure 7 - BA KUTI



2.4 AKHIRI NIVAS

This hut was built near Bapu Kuti for the residence of Jamnalalji. He had desired to

live near Bapu, but it could not materialise. Guests used to live here. In the initial days

this hut was used as a treatment centre for villagers. Gandhiji also stayed in it

occassionally. In 1946 due to cough and cold Gandhiji stayed in this hut for some

days. He used to have sunbath in the eastern verandah to get rid of cough and cold.

The construction of this hut was such that it had verandah on eastern, northern and

western sides. Its construction was also based on the construction technology of Adi

Nivas.

Figure 8 - AKHIRI NIVAS

3. CONCLUSION

This study shows that the adapted construction technology in ‘Sewagram Ashram’

comprises the properties of earthquake resistance, cyclonic resistance, storm

resistance, thermal insulation and is constructed in accordance with the sun diagram.

Bamboo frame is used for the construction of the walls along with mud, wheat husk

and cow dung which provides suspension to the structure and this wall acts as present

day shearing wall. The overall construction pattern uses light weighed construction

materials thereby making the hut light in weight. The earthquake resistant nature of

the huts has been attributed to the above reasons.

Use of mortar made up of mud, wheat husk and cow dung develops the property of

thermal insulation.

A further study of the Ashram shows that in most of the huts; washrooms, kitchens or

hospital has been constructed in the south direction. This ensures direct sunlight,

which is required in such rooms. Verandahs served as the meeting venue of Gandhiji

with the visitors and as well as the waiting place for the visitors. Construction of

verandahs in the northern, eastern and western sides ensured diffused sunlight as per

the requirements. Most of the entrances of the huts were located in northern, eastern

and western directions. These facts prove that the construction of the huts has been in

accordance with the sun-diagram.

The roofs of the huts are constructed using pitched roofing technology. Cyclonic and

storm resistance property of the structure is due to pitched roofing in all the

directions.



4. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

On our visit to Sewagram Ashram Mr. Pradeep Dixit, Swadeshi Gram, Rajiv Dixit

Memorial Swadeshi Utthan Sanstha, Sewagram, helped us arranging visits to the

Ashram along with providing the necessary details of the Ashram throughout the

project completion. We would also like to thank Mr. Prabhakar Atram, Malti Tai and

all other dignitaries present in the Ashram to guide us and co-operate for completion

of the project.

REFERENCES

[1] Mahatma Gandhi, SEWAGRAM ASHRAM (An introduction to

Sewagram Ashram established by Mahatma Gandhi and its Message),

Published by Sewagram Ashram Pratishthan, SEWAGRAM, WARDHA.

[2] Ivan Illich, The Message of Bapu’s Hut, Published by Sewagram Ashram

Pratishthan, SEWAGRAM, WARDHA.

[3] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjrywBNrKhk, Speech given by Mr.

Rajiv Dixit.

mahatma gandhi’s home in sewagram - … of bapu kuti...case-study of bapu kuti – mahatma...

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