International Journal of Advanced Science and Technology Vol. 29, No. 03, (2020), pp. 12481 - 12498 12481 ISSN: 2005-4238 IJAST Copyright ⓒ 2020 SERSC Mud as a Construction Material in Rural Dwellings: Study of Thermal Performance in Composite Climate. Dr.Janmejoy Gupta 1 , Dr Manjari Chakraborty 2 , Sharon Mathew 3 , Alankar Jharia 4 1 Department of Architecture, School of Planning and Architecture, Vijayawada,520008, ITI Road (No. 5 Route), Beside Govt. Polytechnic College, Andhra Pradesh, India (M: 7870807048) E-mail: janmejoygupta71@gmail.com 2 Department of Architecture, Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, Ranchi, Jharkhand.Pin:835215. E-mail: profmanjari@gmail.com Abstract Indoor thermal-comfort conditions can be improved by judicious selection of building materials. India has climatic conditions ranging from warm-humid to cold, with composite climate prevalent in considerably larger parts. Rural Indigenous mud-based architecture is a hitherto neglected aspect of architecture. Yet, 30% of the world’s total population lived in earthen structures in 2011. Mud huts are an intrinsic part of the culture and life of many rural-folk through generations. This paper deals with both the thermal properties and performance of mud in composite climatic regions in India. As a typical composite climatic region, Ranchi, the capital of the eastern Indian state of Jharkhand, has been considered. The primary thermal properties of mud, which determine its applicability and effective-use, have been studied with respect to the characteristics of composite climate. To design and build dwellings in composite climate region is toughest as they have varying climatic characteristics from season to season. This paper suggests a few measures to make existing mud dwellings a more climate- responsive option throughout the year in the composite climatic zones of the country. Keywords: Thermal Performance; Thermal-Mass; Insulation; Composite; Mud, Building- Materials 1. Introduction It is stated that building with earthen blocks was widespread in all hot-dry, subtropical, and moderate climates, and still is an easily available, low-cost, easy to construct with and an eco-friendly material for a number of indigenous rural dwellings [1]. As per 2011 Census, close to half of total households in India still have mud walls. Over one-third of the world‟s population lives in mud houses [2]. Indigenous architecture of a region, pre-dominantly rural, is primarily influenced by the following characteristics:- • Climate. • Local building materials. • Indigenous Construction Techniques. • Local customs and Social Traditions [3] Parts of India including Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, parts of West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, central Maharashtra and few parts north of the Deccan Plateau, practice mud architecture more often. The paper studies the thermal properties and performance of mud as a construction material in composite