| Title | राजस्थानी बलुआ पत्थर (Rajasthani Sandstone)Rare Rājasthānī Baluā Patthar Rajasthani Sandstone |
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| Description | राजस्थानी बलुआ पत्थर (Rājasthānī Baluā Patthar), or Rajasthani Sandstone [1], is a sedimentary rock predominantly composed of quartz grains, with feldspar and mica constituents. Cementation occurs via silica or calcium carbonate. Quarried extensively in Rajasthan, its geological origin is linked to fluvial and aeolian depositional environments. Physical properties include compressive strength (40-70 MPa), porosity (5-15%), and density (2.3-2.7 g/cm³) [2]. Traditional extraction methods, employing hand tools and minimal blasting, are still practiced. Historically, this *śilā* (stone) was favored by Rajput and Mughal dynasties for *sthāpatya* (architecture). Examples include forts, palaces, and temples where it served as *bhitti* (wall) cladding, *dvara* (door) lintels, and *torana* (arches). Durability is affected by weathering, requiring conservation strategies such as consolidation and surface treatments. *Jala* (water) ingress is a primary degradation factor. Restoration often involves replacing damaged *avayava* (elements) with matching stone from traditional *khadāna* (quarries). [3] |
| Also Known As | Rajasthani Sandstone Rājasthānī Baluā Patthar Rajasthani Sandstone Desert Sandstone Indian Sandstone राजस्थानी बलुआ पत्थर मरुस्थली बलुआ पत्थर रेतीला पत्थर राजस्थान का पत्थर ராஜஸ்தானி மணற்கல் (Rājasthāṉi maṇaṟkal) రాజస్థానీ ఇసుకరాయి (Rājasthānī isukarāyi) ರಾಜಸ್ಥಾನಿ ಮರಳುಗಲ್ಲು (Rājasthāni maraḷugallu) రాజస్థానీ సైకత శిల (Rājasthānī saikata śila) |
| Tags | Rajasthani Sandstone Sandstone Rajasthan Quarry Construction Material Building Stone |
| Material ID | INHFMAT-997002861-20-11-25-RN |
| URI | https://www.inheritage.foundation/aat/material/rajasthani-sandstone |
| API Endpoint | https://inheritage.foundation/api/v1/aat/materials/rajasthani-sandstone |
| Total Sites | 1 |
| Primary Sites | 0 |
| Created | November 20, 2025 |
| Last Updated | November 28, 2025 |
| Types | Sedimentary Rock Sandstone |
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| Regions | Rajasthan |
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| Time Periods | Medieval Period Mughal Period Post-Mughal Period Modern Period |
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| Dynasties | Rajput Dynasty Mughal Dynasty |
| Sources | Jodhpur quarries Kota quarries |
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| Properties | Compressive strength: 40-70 MPa Porosity: 5-15% Density: 2.3-2.7 g/cm³ Flexural strength: 5-10 MPa |
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| Uses | Exterior cladding Paving Lintels Arches Wall construction Sculptural elements |
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| Materials | Lime Mortar Surkhi (Brick Dust) |
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| Styles | Rajput architecture Indo-Islamic architecture |
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| Categories | Fort Palace Temple |
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| Notes |
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| Title | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Minerals Yearbook | Resource Survey | Sandstone production data |
| Site Name | Status | Usage | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swaminarayan Akshardham Gandhinagar | Secondary | 100% |