| Title | बेसाल्ट शैल (Basalt Rock)Rare Besāḷṭ Śaila Basalt Rock |
|---|---|
| Description | बेसाल्ट शिला (Besālt Shilā), also known as कृष्ण पाषाण (Kṛṣṇa Pāṣāṇa - black stone) in Sanskrit, is a dense, fine-grained extrusive igneous rock [1]. Formed from rapidly cooled lava, its primary mineral constituents are plagioclase feldspar and pyroxene. Density ranges from 2.8-3.0 g/cm³, with compressive strength between 100-250 MPa. Porosity is typically low, 1-3%, and the thermal expansion coefficient is 5-7 x 10^-6 /°C. Historically, बेसाल्ट शिला was extensively used in Indic heritage architecture, particularly during the Satavahana and Chalukya dynasties [2]. Quarried from volcanic regions across Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh, it served in foundation construction, wall construction, and paving. Notable examples include fortifications and temple construction. Traditional construction methods often involved minimal processing, leveraging the stone's inherent strength. Conservation efforts address weathering and erosion, employing consolidation techniques to preserve these structures [3]. |
| Also Known As | Basalt Rock Besāḷṭ Śaila Basalt Volcanic Rock Extrusive Igneous Rock कृष्ण पाषाण अग्निजन्य शैल ज्वालामुखी शैल कुरुम्परै कल् (Tamil) నల్ల రాయి (Telugu) ಕಪ್ಪು ಕಲ್ಲು (Kannada) കരിങ്കല്ല് (Malayalam) |
| Tags | Basalt Volcanic Rock Deccan Traps Extrusive Igneous Rock Building Stone |
| Material ID | INHFMAT-382787677-20-11-25-BB |
| URI | https://www.inheritage.foundation/aat/material/basalt-rock |
| API Endpoint | https://www.inheritage.foundation/api/v1/aat/materials/basalt-rock |
| Total Sites | 1 |
| Primary Sites | 0 |
| Created | November 20, 2025 |
| Last Updated | November 28, 2025 |
External References
Material Types
| Types | Igneous Rock Extrusive Rock Volcanic Rock |
|---|
Regions
| Regions | Maharashtra Gujarat Madhya Pradesh |
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Historical Context
| Time Periods | Ancient Medieval |
|---|---|
| Dynasties | Satavahana Dynasty Chalukya Dynasty |
Geographic Sources
| Sources | Deccan Traps quarries Basalt quarries in Maharashtra |
|---|
Properties
| Properties | Density: 2.8-3.0 g/cm³ Compressive strength: 100-250 MPa Porosity: 1-3% Thermal expansion coefficient: 5-7 x 10^-6 /°C |
|---|
Common Uses
| Uses | Foundation construction Wall construction Paving Sculptures Fortifications Temple construction |
|---|
Related Materials
| Materials | Lime Mortar Surkhi (Brick Dust) Gravel |
|---|
Related Styles
| Styles | Hemadpanti |
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Related Categories
| Categories | Temple Fort |
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Conservation Notes
| Notes |
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Recommended Sources
| Title | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Stones of India | Book | Detailed analysis of basalt properties |
Heritage Sites (1)
| Site Name | Status | Usage | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bhimashankar Temple Pune | Secondary | 100% |