बेसाल्ट - Bēsālṭa (Basalt) | Inheritage Foundation Art & Architecture Thesaurus | Inheritage Foundation

Title	बेसाल्ट - Bēsālṭa (Basalt) बेसाल्ट Bēsālṭa
Description	A fine-grained, dark-colored extrusive igneous rock composed primarily of plagioclase feldspar and pyroxene. Deccan Traps basalt exhibits high density (2.8-3.0 g/cm³) and compressive strength (150-300 MPa), used for durable construction elements.
Tags	basalt Basalt Volcanic Deccan Stone Krishna Shilā Volcanic rock Deccan Traps Fort construction Igneous Structural Volcanic Rock Maharashtra Krishna Pashāna कृष्ण पाषाण Krishna Pāshān Deccan Trap Fortification Krishna Pāshāna Black Stone Krishna Durable Dense Sculpture High Strength Dark Stone कृष्ण शिला कृष्णशिला Krishnashilā बेसाल्ट Besālt Besāḷṭ Quarry Bēsālṭa Deccan Basalt Igneous Rock Paving
Material ID	`INHFMAT-105773927-20-11-25-BA`
URI	https://www.inheritage.foundation/aat/material/basalt
API Endpoint	`https://inheritage.foundation/api/v1/aat/materials/basalt`
Total Sites	1
Primary Sites	1
Created	November 20, 2025
Last Updated	November 20, 2025

Material Types

Types	Igneous Rock Extrusive Rock Extrusive Igneous Rock Volcanic Rock

Regions

Regions	Maharashtra Deccan Plateau Karnataka Gujarat Deccan Traps Madhya Pradesh Telangana

Historical Context

Time Periods	Medieval Period CE Maratha Period Ancient Period Deccan Traps Formation (Cretaceous-Paleogene) Chalukya Period Chalukya period Rashtrakuta period 6th century CE 8th century CE Rashtrakuta Period Chalukya period (6th-12th century CE) Rashtrakuta period (8th-10th century CE) Deccan Traps Formation Deccan Traps Formation (66 million years ago) Ancient times Deccan Plateau formations Satavahana period
Dynasties	Yadava Dynasty Maratha Empire Chalukya Rashtrakuta Mughal Maratha Satavahana Dynasty Chalukya Dynasty Rashtrakuta Dynasty Satavahana Qutb Shahi

Time Periods

Medieval Period CE

Maratha Period

Ancient Period

Deccan Traps Formation (Cretaceous-Paleogene)

Chalukya Period

Chalukya period

Rashtrakuta period

6th century CE

8th century CE

Rashtrakuta Period

Chalukya period (6th-12th century CE)

Rashtrakuta period (8th-10th century CE)

Deccan Traps Formation

Deccan Traps Formation (66 million years ago)

Ancient times

Deccan Plateau formations

Satavahana period

Dynasties

Yadava Dynasty

Maratha Empire

Chalukya

Rashtrakuta

Mughal

Maratha

Satavahana Dynasty

Chalukya Dynasty

Rashtrakuta Dynasty

Satavahana

Qutb Shahi

Geographic Sources

Sources	Deccan Traps Volcanic rock quarries Deccan Traps quarries Specific quarries in Maharashtra specific basalt quarries in Maharashtra Specific basalt quarries in Maharashtra Local basalt outcrops Volcanic regions of Maharashtra Specific basalt formations specific quarries in Maharashtra Specific basalt quarries in Maharashtra and Karnataka Specific quarries near Pune Specific quarries in Karnataka Specific basalt quarries near Pune specific geographic sources Deccan Plateau quarries Specific quarries near Pune and Aurangabad

Sources

Deccan Traps

Volcanic rock quarries

Deccan Traps quarries

Specific quarries in Maharashtra

specific basalt quarries in Maharashtra

Specific basalt quarries in Maharashtra

Local basalt outcrops

Volcanic regions of Maharashtra

Specific basalt formations

specific quarries in Maharashtra

Specific basalt quarries in Maharashtra and Karnataka

Specific quarries near Pune

Specific quarries in Karnataka

Specific basalt quarries near Pune

specific geographic sources

Deccan Plateau quarries

Specific quarries near Pune and Aurangabad

Properties

Properties	Compressive strength: 100-300 MPa Density: 2.7-3.3 g/cm³ Porosity: 1-3% Grain size: Fine-grained Density: 2.7-3.0 g/cm³ Water absorption: 0.1-0.5% Thermal expansion coefficient: 8-10 x 10⁻⁶ /°C Thermal expansion coefficient: 5-10 x 10^-6/°C Porosity: <1% Thermal expansion coefficient: 6-10 x 10^-6 /°C Thermal expansion coefficient: 6-9 x 10⁻⁶ /°C Thermal expansion coefficient: 5-10 x 10^-6 /°C Fine-grained texture Low porosity (typically <1%) High resistance to weathering Low porosity Porosity: 0.1-1% Thermal expansion coefficient: 5-10 x 10⁻⁶ /°C Density: 2.8-3.0 g/cm³ Thermal expansion coefficient: 6-8 x 10⁻⁶ /°C Thermal expansion coefficient: 8-10 x 10⁻⁶/°C Thermal expansion coefficient: 6-10 x 10⁻⁶ /°C Thermal expansion coefficient: 5-8 x 10⁻⁶ /°C Low porosity (1-3%) Porosity: 0.5-2% Thermal expansion coefficient: 5-7 x 10⁻⁶ /°C Compressive strength: 150-300 MPa Water absorption: <1% Thermal expansion coefficient: 6-9 x 10⁻⁶/°C Modulus of rupture: 20-40 MPa Thermal conductivity: 1.5-2.5 W/mK Water absorption: 0.1-0.3% Thermal expansion coefficient: 5-7 x 10⁻⁶/°C

Compressive strength: 100-300 MPa

Density: 2.7-3.3 g/cm³

Porosity: 1-3%

Grain size: Fine-grained

Density: 2.7-3.0 g/cm³

Water absorption: 0.1-0.5%

Thermal expansion coefficient: 8-10 x 10⁻⁶ /°C

Thermal expansion coefficient: 5-10 x 10^-6/°C

Porosity: <1%

Thermal expansion coefficient: 6-10 x 10^-6 /°C

Thermal expansion coefficient: 6-9 x 10⁻⁶ /°C

Thermal expansion coefficient: 5-10 x 10^-6 /°C

Fine-grained texture

Low porosity (typically <1%)

High resistance to weathering

Low porosity

Porosity: 0.1-1%

Thermal expansion coefficient: 5-10 x 10⁻⁶ /°C

Density: 2.8-3.0 g/cm³

Thermal expansion coefficient: 6-8 x 10⁻⁶ /°C

Thermal expansion coefficient: 8-10 x 10⁻⁶/°C

Thermal expansion coefficient: 6-10 x 10⁻⁶ /°C

Thermal expansion coefficient: 5-8 x 10⁻⁶ /°C

Low porosity (1-3%)

Porosity: 0.5-2%

Thermal expansion coefficient: 5-7 x 10⁻⁶ /°C

Compressive strength: 150-300 MPa

Water absorption: <1%

Thermal expansion coefficient: 6-9 x 10⁻⁶/°C

Modulus of rupture: 20-40 MPa

Thermal conductivity: 1.5-2.5 W/mK

Water absorption: 0.1-0.3%

Thermal expansion coefficient: 5-7 x 10⁻⁶/°C

Common Uses

Uses	Foundation stones Load-bearing walls Paving stones Structural elements Paving Retaining walls Sculptures Fortification walls Sculptural elements Road paving Hydraulic structures Foundation Structural components Water management systems

Related Materials

Materials	चूना - Chunā (Lime Mortar) रेती - Retī (Sand) Chunā (Lime Mortar) Surkhi (Brick Dust) Sand सुरखी - Surkhi (Brick Dust) Kāshtha (Wood) रेती - Reti (Sand) Metal clamps Aggregate for concrete Shilā (Stone) Shilāras (Asphalt) Aggregate

Related Styles

Styles	Deccan architecture Maratha architecture Cave architecture Indo-Islamic architecture style Maratha architecture style Deccan architecture style Chalukya architecture Dravidian architecture Dravidian architecture style Hemadpanti style Temple architecture Hemadpanti architecture style Hemadpanti architecture Early Chalukya architecture style

Related Categories

Categories	Fort Temple Water tank Cave Water Tank Stepwell Sculpture Stepwells Cave Architecture Dam Water Structures

Conservation Notes

Notes	Resistant to weathering May exhibit alkali-silica reaction Requires careful jointing Susceptible to weathering due to thermal expansion Requires periodic cleaning to remove biological growth Repair with compatible basalt aggregates and lime mortar Susceptible to alkali-silica reaction Susceptible to weathering due to thermal stress Requires consolidation treatments Biological growth on surface Susceptible to staining Requires careful cleaning Requires consolidation with compatible silicate-based materials Biological growth on surfaces Resistant to most weathering agents Can be susceptible to cracking in extreme temperature variations Requires careful handling due to its hardness May require cleaning to remove surface deposits Protection from acid rain Susceptible to alkali-silica reaction in some cases Requires careful jointing to prevent water ingress Susceptible to thermal stress Requires careful handling during excavation Susceptible to weathering due to hydration of minerals Biocide treatment to prevent lichen growth Susceptible to alkali-silica reaction (ASR) in the presence of certain aggregates Requires careful selection of mortar to avoid ASR Susceptible to alkali-silica reaction with certain aggregates Surface cleaning methods Resistant to weathering but susceptible to cracking from thermal stress Requires careful handling during transportation May exhibit efflorescence in saline environments Susceptible to staining from organic matter Requires cleaning with non-acidic solutions Can develop surface patinas Requires careful cleaning to avoid abrasion Weathering due to thermal stress Jointing and fracturing Lichen growth Requires proper drainage Resistant to weathering but susceptible to alkali-silica reaction Requires careful selection of aggregates in concrete to avoid ASR Can develop surface discoloration over time Susceptible to weathering in acidic environments Requires regular cleaning Protection from biological growth Potential for alkali-silica reaction Discoloration due to oxidation Resistant to weathering but can develop surface cracks Requires cleaning to remove biological growth Joints need regular inspection and maintenance

Notes

Resistant to weathering
May exhibit alkali-silica reaction
Requires careful jointing
Susceptible to weathering due to thermal expansion
Requires periodic cleaning to remove biological growth
Repair with compatible basalt aggregates and lime mortar
Susceptible to alkali-silica reaction
Susceptible to weathering due to thermal stress
Requires consolidation treatments
Biological growth on surface
Susceptible to staining
Requires careful cleaning
Requires consolidation with compatible silicate-based materials
Biological growth on surfaces
Resistant to most weathering agents
Can be susceptible to cracking in extreme temperature variations
Requires careful handling due to its hardness
May require cleaning to remove surface deposits
Protection from acid rain
Susceptible to alkali-silica reaction in some cases
Requires careful jointing to prevent water ingress
Susceptible to thermal stress
Requires careful handling during excavation
Susceptible to weathering due to hydration of minerals
Biocide treatment to prevent lichen growth
Susceptible to alkali-silica reaction (ASR) in the presence of certain aggregates
Requires careful selection of mortar to avoid ASR
Susceptible to alkali-silica reaction with certain aggregates
Surface cleaning methods
Resistant to weathering but susceptible to cracking from thermal stress
Requires careful handling during transportation
May exhibit efflorescence in saline environments
Susceptible to staining from organic matter
Requires cleaning with non-acidic solutions
Can develop surface patinas
Requires careful cleaning to avoid abrasion
Weathering due to thermal stress
Jointing and fracturing
Lichen growth
Requires proper drainage
Resistant to weathering but susceptible to alkali-silica reaction
Requires careful selection of aggregates in concrete to avoid ASR
Can develop surface discoloration over time
Susceptible to weathering in acidic environments
Requires regular cleaning
Protection from biological growth
Potential for alkali-silica reaction
Discoloration due to oxidation
Resistant to weathering but can develop surface cracks
Requires cleaning to remove biological growth
Joints need regular inspection and maintenance

Recommended Sources

Title	Type	Notes
Deccan Trap Geology	Geological Survey	Basalt composition and properties
Geological Survey of India Reports	Geological Survey	Basalt characterization
Deccan Trap Basalts	Geological Study	Composition and weathering
Deccan Trap Basalts	Geological Survey	Petrology and engineering properties
Geological Survey of India Reports	Geological Survey	Basalt characterization
Deccan Trap Geology Reports	Geological Survey	Basalt composition and formation
ASI Archaeological Reports	Technical Report	Basalt usage in Deccan temples
Deccan Trap Geology	Geological Survey	Basalt composition and properties
Deccan Traps: Geology and Utilisation	Geological Survey Report	Basalt properties and uses
Deccan Traps Geological Studies	Geological Report	Basalt composition and formation
ASI Technical Bulletin	Technical Report	Material analysis of Deccan basalt
Deccan Geology	Geological Survey	Basalt composition and weathering
Geology of Maharashtra	Geological Survey	Basalt formations
Deccan Trap Basalts	Geological Survey	Composition and properties
Archaeological Survey of India Reports	Technical Report	Material analysis of Deccan monuments
Deccan Trap Basalts	Geological Survey	Composition and properties
Geological Survey of India Reports	Geological Survey	Petrographic analysis
Geological Survey of India Reports	Geological Survey	Basalt composition and properties
Engineering Geology	Textbook	Basalt properties and applications
Deccan Trap Basalts	Geological Study	Composition and weathering characteristics
ASI Technical Bulletin	Technical Report	Material analysis
Geological Survey of India Reports	Geological Survey	Basalt formations in India
Deccan Traps Geological Studies	Research Paper	Basalt properties and weathering patterns

Heritage Sites (1)

Site Name	Status	Usage	Confidence
Golconda Fort Hyderabad	Primary		100%