| Title | कृष्ण पाषाण (Krishna Shila (Black Stone))Rare Kṛṣṇa Pāṣāṇa Krishna Shila (Black Stone) |
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| Description | कृष्ण शिला - Krishna Shilā (Black Stone), encompassing *Kala Pathar*, *Shyam Shila*, *Karungal*, *Nalla Raayi*, and *Kappu Kallu*, refers to dark-colored igneous rocks like basalt and gabbro utilized extensively in Indic heritage architecture [1]. Originating from quarries across Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Gujarat, these rocks exhibit high compressive strength (100-350 MPa) and density (2.7-3.3 g/cm³) [2]. Fine to medium grain size and low porosity (<1%) contribute to exceptional weathering and abrasion resistance. Satavahana, Chalukya, Rashtrakuta, Yadava, and Maratha dynasties employed Krishna Shila for foundation stones, paving, structural elements, and sculptures. Traditional processing involved quarrying and shaping using tools, including *stone burins* [1]. Its durability made it ideal for *Lingams* and temple construction. Conservation necessitates understanding its thermal expansion coefficient (5-10 x 10⁻⁶ /°C) and water absorption (<1%) to mitigate deterioration in heritage sites. |
| Also Known As | Krishna Shila (Black Stone) Kṛṣṇa Pāṣāṇa Black Stone Dark Stone Krishna Stone काला पत्थर श्याम शिला कृष्णशिला கருங்கல் (Karungal) నల్ల రాయి (Nalla Raayi) ಕಪ್ಪು ಕಲ್ಲು (Kappu Kallu) |
| Tags | काला पत्थर Kālā Patthar Black Stone Basalt Dolerite Deccan Igneous Deccan Traps कृष्ण शिला Krishna Shilā Gabbro Nashik |
| Material ID | INHFMAT-497857519-20-11-25-KE |
| URI | https://www.inheritage.foundation/aat/material/black-stone |
| API Endpoint | https://inheritage.foundation/api/v1/aat/materials/black-stone |
| Total Sites | 3 |
| Primary Sites | 3 |
| Created | November 20, 2025 |
| Last Updated | November 28, 2025 |
| Types | Igneous Rock Extrusive Igneous Rock Intrusive Igneous Rock Basalt Gabbro |
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| Regions | Maharashtra Karnataka Andhra Pradesh Gujarat |
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| Time Periods | Ancient Period Early Medieval Period Medieval Period Late Medieval Period |
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| Dynasties | Satavahana Dynasty Chalukya Dynasty Rashtrakuta Dynasty Yadava Dynasty Maratha Dynasty |
| Sources | Deccan Traps Specific quarries in Karnataka Local quarries near Verul Specific quarries near Pune Specific basalt quarries in Maharashtra Deccan Traps quarries near Nashik |
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| Properties | Compressive strength: 100-350 MPa Density: 2.7-3.3 g/cm³ Porosity: <1% Weathering resistance: High Abrasion resistance: High Water absorption: <1% Grain size: Fine to medium Thermal expansion coefficient: 5-10 x 10⁻⁶ /°C |
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| Uses | Foundation stones Paving Sculptures Lingams Structural elements Decorative carvings Idol carving Load-bearing walls Lingam bases Structural walls |
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| Materials | चूना - Chunā (Lime Mortar) सुरखी - Surkhi (Brick Dust) धातु - Dhātu (Metal Reinforcements) रेती - Retī (Sand) Kāshtha (Wood) |
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| Styles | Dravidian architecture Deccan architecture Hemadpanti architecture Chalukya architecture Maratha architecture |
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| Categories | Temple Fort Water Tank Sculpture Stepwell |
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| Notes |
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| Title | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Geology of India | Book | Deccan basalt formations |
| Geology of Indian Rocks | Book | Petrographic analysis |
| Geological Survey of India Reports | Geological Survey | Rock identification and properties |
| Site Name | Status | Usage | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bhimashankar Temple Pune | Primary | 100% | |
| Mahalaxmi Temple Kolhapur | Primary | 100% | |
| Trimbakeshwar Shiva Temple Nashik | Primary | 100% |