वंश - Vamsha (Bamboo) | Inheritage Foundation Art & Architecture Thesaurus | Inheritage Foundation

Title	वंश - Vamsha (Bamboo) वंश Vamsha
Description	वंश - Vamsha (Bamboo) is a versatile and readily available material in Assam, used extensively in Ahom architecture for scaffolding, temporary structures, and occasionally as reinforcement in mud walls. It is lightweight and flexible.
Tags	बाँस Bāns Bamboo Culm Scaffolding Renewable Sustainable बांस Grove Weaving Bānsa Cane Grass वंश Vamsha Ahom Assam Structural Material Renewable Resource Plant Fiber Meghalaya Roofing Treatment Sustainability Tawang
Material ID	`INHFMAT-202883716-20-11-25-VS`
URI	https://www.inheritage.foundation/aat/material/bamboo
API Endpoint	`https://inheritage.foundation/api/v1/aat/materials/bamboo`
Total Sites	9
Primary Sites	6
Created	November 20, 2025
Last Updated	November 20, 2025

Material Types

Types	Natural Fiber Grass Giant Bamboo Dendrocalamus Strictus Bambusa Balcooa Organic Material Plant-based Material Plant Fiber Renewable Material Dendrocalamus strictus Treated Bamboo Bamboo

Regions

Regions	Northeast India Western Ghats Eastern Ghats Arunachal Pradesh Assam Manipur West Bengal Meghalaya Kerala

Historical Context

Time Periods	Ancient times Contemporary Ancient Medieval Modern Ahom Dynasty Period Prehistoric 16th century CE Medieval Period CE Ahom Kingdom (1228-1826) Present Modern Construction Ahom Dynasty 17th century CE
Dynasties	Ahom Various tribal communities Meitei Ahom Dynasty Jaintia Kingdom Various regional dynasties Local rulers of Manipur

Geographic Sources

Sources	Bamboo forests in Northeast India Plantations in Kerala and Karnataka Local bamboo groves in West Siang district Local bamboo groves in Dibang Valley Manipur forests Assam bamboo groves Local bamboo groves near Charaideo Bamboo groves in Assam Local bamboo groves in Meghalaya Local bamboo groves Western Ghats Bamboo groves in Manipur Specific bamboo species locations Local bamboo groves near Pasighat Local bamboo groves in Assam Local bamboo groves near Tawang

Sources

Bamboo forests in Northeast India

Plantations in Kerala and Karnataka

Local bamboo groves in West Siang district

Local bamboo groves in Dibang Valley

Manipur forests

Assam bamboo groves

Local bamboo groves near Charaideo

Bamboo groves in Assam

Local bamboo groves in Meghalaya

Local bamboo groves

Western Ghats

Bamboo groves in Manipur

Specific bamboo species locations

Local bamboo groves near Pasighat

Local bamboo groves in Assam

Local bamboo groves near Tawang

Properties

Properties	Tensile strength: 140-280 MPa Density: 600-800 kg/m³ Moisture content: 10-15% Flexural strength: 50-100 MPa Density: 600-900 kg/m³ Moisture content: 10-15% (air-dried) Modulus of elasticity: 15-25 GPa Tensile strength: 140-280 MPa (depending on species) Moisture content: High when green, reduces with drying Flexibility: High Modulus of elasticity: 10-40 GPa Moisture content: Varies greatly Modulus of elasticity: 10-20 GPa Tensile strength: 28-50 MPa Density: 0.4-0.8 g/cm³ Moisture content: 12-15% Thermal conductivity: 0.15-0.4 W/mK Density: 0.6-0.8 g/cm³ Tensile strength: 280 MPa Modulus of elasticity: 20-30 GPa Rapid growth rate Tensile Strength: 140-280 MPa Modulus of Elasticity: 10-40 GPa Moisture Content: Variable, requires drying Thermal conductivity: 0.4 W/mK

Tensile strength: 140-280 MPa

Density: 600-800 kg/m³

Moisture content: 10-15%

Flexural strength: 50-100 MPa

Density: 600-900 kg/m³

Moisture content: 10-15% (air-dried)

Modulus of elasticity: 15-25 GPa

Tensile strength: 140-280 MPa (depending on species)

Moisture content: High when green, reduces with drying

Flexibility: High

Modulus of elasticity: 10-40 GPa

Moisture content: Varies greatly

Modulus of elasticity: 10-20 GPa

Tensile strength: 28-50 MPa

Density: 0.4-0.8 g/cm³

Moisture content: 12-15%

Thermal conductivity: 0.15-0.4 W/mK

Density: 0.6-0.8 g/cm³

Tensile strength: 280 MPa

Modulus of elasticity: 20-30 GPa

Rapid growth rate

Tensile Strength: 140-280 MPa

Modulus of Elasticity: 10-40 GPa

Moisture Content: Variable, requires drying

Thermal conductivity: 0.4 W/mK

Common Uses

Uses	Scaffolding Roofing Walls Fencing Bridges Handicrafts Matting Temporary structures Reinforcement in mud walls Mats Wall panels Reinforcement in clay structures Roofing (in some cases) Structural elements Baskets Structural framing Walling Reinforcement in mud walls (less likely in this temple) Woven mats Reinforcement Roofing elements

Related Materials

Materials	चूना - Chunā (Lime Mortar) Mud Thatch रस्सी - Rassī (Rope) काष्ठ - Kāshtha (Timber) Kāshtha (Timber) मिट्टी - Mitti (Clay) तृण - Trina (Thatch) माटी - Mātī (Mud) काष्ठ - Kāshtha (Wood) Kāshtha (Wood) Chunā (Lime Mortar) Cane मिट्टी - Mitti (Mud) Rope (for binding) चूना - Chunā (Lime Mortar) (as a binder) मिट्टी - Mittī (Clay) रस्सी - Rassi (Rope)

Materials

चूना - Chunā (Lime Mortar)

Mud

Thatch

रस्सी - Rassī (Rope)

काष्ठ - Kāshtha (Timber)

Kāshtha (Timber)

मिट्टी - Mitti (Clay)

तृण - Trina (Thatch)

माटी - Mātī (Mud)

काष्ठ - Kāshtha (Wood)

Kāshtha (Wood)

Chunā (Lime Mortar)

Cane

मिट्टी - Mitti (Mud)

Rope (for binding)

चूना - Chunā (Lime Mortar) (as a binder)

मिट्टी - Mittī (Clay)

रस्सी - Rassi (Rope)

Related Styles

Styles	Vernacular architecture Tribal architecture Eco-friendly architecture Vernacular architecture of Northeast India Rural housing Vernacular architecture of Assam Rural architecture Vernacular architecture of Meghalaya Vernacular architecture of Manipur Vernacular Architecture Rural construction Tibetan Buddhist architecture

Related Categories

Categories	Houses Bridges Fences Handicrafts Temple Fort (temporary structures) Residential Buildings Agricultural Structures Residential Scaffolding Domestic Architecture Temporary Structures Dwelling Community Hall Bridge Temple (scaffolding) Vernacular Buildings Residential buildings Temporary structures Temporary Shelters Temple construction Temporary shelters Monastery

Conservation Notes

Notes	Susceptible to insect attack Fungal decay Requires treatment with borax or lime Protection from moisture Susceptible to insect infestation (bamboo borers) Vulnerable to fungal decay in damp conditions Prone to splitting and cracking with age Highly susceptible to insect attack (bamboo borers) Vulnerable to fungal decay Requires regular treatment with preservatives (e.g., borax) Prone to moisture damage Vulnerable to moisture damage Highly susceptible to insect attack Vulnerable to decay in humid conditions Requires regular replacement Requires treatment with preservatives Limited lifespan compared to other materials Susceptible to insect infestation Requires treatment with borax or lime water for preservation Highly susceptible to insect attack (borers) Requires treatment with borax or other preservatives Vulnerable to moisture damage and fungal decay Regular inspection and replacement needed Limited lifespan; requires periodic replacement Prone to fungal decay Vulnerable to fire Susceptible to insect attack (bamboo borers) Requires treatment with preservatives (e.g., borax)

Notes

Susceptible to insect attack
Fungal decay
Requires treatment with borax or lime
Protection from moisture
Susceptible to insect infestation (bamboo borers)
Vulnerable to fungal decay in damp conditions
Prone to splitting and cracking with age
Highly susceptible to insect attack (bamboo borers)
Vulnerable to fungal decay
Requires regular treatment with preservatives (e.g., borax)
Prone to moisture damage
Vulnerable to moisture damage
Highly susceptible to insect attack
Vulnerable to decay in humid conditions
Requires regular replacement
Requires treatment with preservatives
Limited lifespan compared to other materials
Susceptible to insect infestation
Requires treatment with borax or lime water for preservation
Highly susceptible to insect attack (borers)
Requires treatment with borax or other preservatives
Vulnerable to moisture damage and fungal decay
Regular inspection and replacement needed
Limited lifespan; requires periodic replacement
Prone to fungal decay
Vulnerable to fire
Susceptible to insect attack (bamboo borers)
Requires treatment with preservatives (e.g., borax)

Recommended Sources

Title	Type	Notes
Bamboo as a Building Material	Book	Technical guide on bamboo construction
Bamboo Journal	Journal	Bamboo properties and uses
Bamboo as a Building Material	Book	Technical guide on bamboo construction
National Bamboo Mission Reports	Report	Bamboo species and treatment methods
Indian Bamboo Journal	Journal	Bamboo properties and uses

Heritage Sites (9)

Site Name	Status	Confidence
Charaideo Ahom Royal Palace	Primary	100%
Kareng Ghar Garhgaon	Primary	100%
Laban Namghar Shillong	Primary	100%
Shree Siddheshwar Nath Temple Pasighat	Primary	100%
Sivadol Temple Sivasagar	Primary	100%
Tawang Monastery Tawang	Primary	100%
Nartiang Durga Temple Nartiang	Secondary	100%
Rang Ghar Sivasagar	Secondary	100%
Sanamahi Temple Imphal	Secondary	100%