CULTURAL IMPLICATIONS OF COURTYARDS

Courtyards in South Asia hold a spiritual and religious significance. These multifaceted open-to-sky courtyards provide space for religious gatherings and activities – from the central placement of the holy Tulsi (Basil) plant in Hindu culture to the concept of private, segregated areas for women in Islam. This translates to an introverted design, providing women with outdoor spaces, without exposing them to the general public.

Therefore, traditionally in the Walled City, dwellings boast two courtyards, following a gradient from formal spaces to informal spaces – the outer one is for the males and the inner one for the women and children of the house. Baithak is a male domain and serves as a transition between the public and private space (Thapar 2004).