What is ईंट (Brick)?

ईंट (Īnṭa), or brick, a fundamental *bhāvan nirmāṇ īnṭa* (building construction brick), has been integral to Indic architecture since the Indus Valley Civilization [2]. Primarily a fired clay product, *pakkī īnṭa* (burnt brick) derives from alluvial clay deposits abundant across the Gangetic Plains and other regions [3]. Compositionally, it's aluminosilicate, with iron oxides contributing to its characteristic red hue [4]. Firing temperatures range from 800-1200°C, influencing compressive strength (3.5-70 MPa) and water absorption (5-25%) [5]. Traditional *kaccī īnṭa* (unburnt brick) or adobe, sun-dried, was also common. The Mauryan, Gupta, and Mughal dynasties extensively utilized *iṣṭikā* (Sanskrit for brick) in monumental structures [6]. *Surkhi*, brick dust, served as a pozzolanic additive in lime mortars [7]. Conservation of heritage sites like Nalanda University requires careful analysis of brick composition and appropriate repair mortars [8]. Durability depends on clay quality, firing process, and environmental exposure [9]. Traditional brick hammers [1] were used for shaping and dressing bricks.

What type of material is ईंट (Brick)?

ईंट (Brick) is classified as Burnt Clay Brick, Fired Clay Brick, Terracotta Brick, Adobe Brick, Surkhi Brick, Common Brick, Facing Brick, Clay, Terracotta, Masonry Unit. Key properties include Compressive strength: 3.5-70 MPa, Water absorption: 5-25%, Density: 1600-2200 kg/m³.

Where is ईंट (Brick) used?

ईंट (Brick) is commonly used in West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Haryana, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Sri Lanka, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Karnataka, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, Tripura, Himachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Kashmir Valley, Sindh, Pan India, Indus Valley, Gangetic Plains. It is sourced from Local clay deposits, Brick kilns, Alluvial plains.

How is ईंट (Brick) used in heritage architecture?

ईंट (Brick) is used for Load-bearing walls, Partition walls, Paving, Arches, Vaults, Well linings, Facing, Ornamental brickwork, Non-load bearing walls, Foundations, Infill material, Drainage systems, Surkhi (Brick Dust) production, Domes in heritage architecture. It is found in 1 heritage sites.

What are the conservation considerations for ईंट (Brick)?

Conservation of ईंट (Brick) requires attention to Susceptible to salt attack and efflorescence and Requires breathable lime-based mortars for repointing. Proper maintenance is essential for preserving heritage structures using this material.

ईंट (Brick) | Inheritage Foundation Art & Architecture Thesaurus | Inheritage Foundation

Name: ईंट (Brick)
Rating: 4.5 (1 reviews)
Author: Inheritage Foundation

Title	ईंट (Brick) 4.5/5(Based on 1 heritage site) Rare Īnṭ Brick 4.5/5(Based on 1 heritage site)
Description	ईंट (Īnṭa), or brick, a fundamental bhāvan nirmāṇ īnṭa (building construction brick), has been integral to Indic architecture since the Indus Valley Civilization [2]. Primarily a fired clay product, pakkī īnṭa (burnt brick) derives from alluvial clay deposits abundant across the Gangetic Plains and other regions [3]. Compositionally, it's aluminosilicate, with iron oxides contributing to its characteristic red hue [4]. Firing temperatures range from 800-1200°C, influencing compressive strength (3.5-70 MPa) and water absorption (5-25%) [5]. Traditional kaccī īnṭa (unburnt brick) or adobe, sun-dried, was also common. The Mauryan, Gupta, and Mughal dynasties extensively utilized iṣṭikā (Sanskrit for brick) in monumental structures [6]. Surkhi, brick dust, served as a pozzolanic additive in lime mortars [7]. Conservation of heritage sites like Nalanda University requires careful analysis of brick composition and appropriate repair mortars [8]. Durability depends on clay quality, firing process, and environmental exposure [9]. Traditional brick hammers [1] were used for shaping and dressing bricks.
Also Known As	Brick Īnṭ Brick Building Brick Clay Brick Red Brick Masonry Brick पक्की ईंट कच्ची ईंट भवन निर्माण ईंट लाल ईंट चिनाई ईंट इष्टिका செங்கல் (Sengal) ఇటుక (Iṭuka) ಇಟ್ಟಿಗೆ (Iṭṭige) ഇഷ്ടിക (Iṣṭika)
Tags	Brick Clay Kiln Masonry Firing Terracotta Burnt Clay Fired Clay Wall Surkhi Compressive Strength
Material ID	`INHFMAT-554258292-20-11-25-SB`
URI	https://www.inheritage.foundation/aat/material/brick
API Endpoint	`https://www.inheritage.foundation/api/v1/aat/materials/brick`
Total Sites	1
Primary Sites	1
Created	November 20, 2025
Last Updated	November 28, 2025

External References

View on Getty AAT

Material Types

Types	Burnt Clay Brick Fired Clay Brick Terracotta Brick Adobe Brick Surkhi Brick Common Brick Facing Brick Clay Terracotta Masonry Unit

Regions

Regions	West Bengal Bihar Uttar Pradesh Assam Tamil Nadu Rajasthan Telangana Andhra Pradesh Maharashtra Haryana Kerala Chhattisgarh Sri Lanka Jammu and Kashmir Punjab Karnataka Gujarat Madhya Pradesh Uttarakhand Jharkhand Tripura Himachal Pradesh Manipur Meghalaya Mizoram Arunachal Pradesh Kashmir Valley Sindh Pan India Indus Valley Gangetic Plains

Historical Context

Time Periods	Indus Valley Civilization (3300-1700 BCE) Mauryan Period (322-185 BCE) Satavahana Period (2nd century BCE-3rd century CE) Gupta Period (320-550 CE) Early Medieval Period (6th-12th century CE) Medieval Period (12th-18th century CE) Delhi Sultanate (1206-1526 CE) Vijayanagara Period (1336-1646 CE) Mughal Period (1526-1857 CE) Ahom Dynasty Period (1228-1826) British Colonial Period (1757-1947) Modern Era (1947-Present)
Dynasties	Maurya Dynasty Gupta Dynasty Mughal Dynasty Ahom Dynasty Pala Dynasty Chola Dynasty Satavahana Dynasty Kakatiya Dynasty Qutb Shahi Dynasty Vijayanagara Dynasty Sikh Empire Kalachuri Dynasty

Time Periods

Indus Valley Civilization (3300-1700 BCE)

Mauryan Period (322-185 BCE)

Satavahana Period (2nd century BCE-3rd century CE)

Gupta Period (320-550 CE)

Early Medieval Period (6th-12th century CE)

Medieval Period (12th-18th century CE)

Delhi Sultanate (1206-1526 CE)

Vijayanagara Period (1336-1646 CE)

Mughal Period (1526-1857 CE)

Ahom Dynasty Period (1228-1826)

British Colonial Period (1757-1947)

Modern Era (1947-Present)

Dynasties

Maurya Dynasty

Gupta Dynasty

Mughal Dynasty

Ahom Dynasty

Pala Dynasty

Chola Dynasty

Satavahana Dynasty

Kakatiya Dynasty

Qutb Shahi Dynasty

Vijayanagara Dynasty

Sikh Empire

Kalachuri Dynasty

Geographic Sources

Sources	Local clay deposits Brick kilns Alluvial plains Riverbeds

Properties

Properties	Compressive strength: 3.5-70 MPa Water absorption: 5-25% Density: 1600-2200 kg/m³ Thermal conductivity: 0.6-1.0 W/mK Firing temperature: 800-1200°C Porosity: 10-30%

Common Uses

Uses	Load-bearing walls Partition walls Paving Arches Vaults Well linings Facing Ornamental brickwork Non-load bearing walls Foundations Infill material Drainage systems Surkhi (Brick Dust) production Domes

Related Materials

Materials	Lime Mortar Surkhi (Brick Dust) Sand Clay Wood (for scaffolding/firing) Mud Mortar Stone masonry Cement mortar

Related Styles

Styles	Bengal architecture Indo-Islamic architecture Colonial architecture Ahom architecture Sri Lankan architecture Dravidian architecture Kakatiya architecture Sikh architecture Mughal architecture Mauryan architecture Gupta architecture Indo-Portuguese architecture Traditional Indian vernacular architecture Nagara architecture Meitei architecture Vijayanagara architecture Deccan architecture Rajput architecture Vernacular architecture Assamese architecture Indo-Nepalese architecture Kashmiri Architecture Kerala architecture

Styles

Bengal architecture

Indo-Islamic architecture

Colonial architecture

Ahom architecture

Sri Lankan architecture

Dravidian architecture

Kakatiya architecture

Sikh architecture

Mughal architecture

Mauryan architecture

Gupta architecture

Indo-Portuguese architecture

Traditional Indian vernacular architecture

Nagara architecture

Meitei architecture

Vijayanagara architecture

Deccan architecture

Rajput architecture

Vernacular architecture

Assamese architecture

Indo-Nepalese architecture

Kashmiri Architecture

Kerala architecture

Related Categories

Categories	Residential buildings Public buildings Forts Palace Temple Fortification Fort Stupa Pilgrimage Site Residential Buildings Gurdwara Residential Monastery Fortifications Arches Vaults Temples Stepwells Wells Walls Residential architecture Wall Arch Residential Architecture Gateway House Havelis Vihara Public Buildings All categories Mosque Tomb Stepwell Haveli Palaces Religious Structures Residential Building Mandapa Gopuram Domestic Architecture Residential building Public Building Houses Structural Component Residential Structures Pavement Kund Infrastructure Religious

Conservation Notes

Notes	Susceptible to salt attack and efflorescence Requires breathable lime-based mortars for repointing Protect from rising damp Vulnerable to erosion from heavy rainfall Requires regular inspection and repair of mortar joints Protection from water ingress is crucial Vulnerable to freeze-thaw cycles in colder climates Requires desalination treatments Avoid cement-based repairs Requires careful cleaning to avoid abrasion Biological growth removal Cracking due to thermal stress Proper firing is essential for durability Requires proper drainage to prevent water damage Use of sacrificial lime plaster to protect brickwork Replacement with compatible bricks

Notes

Susceptible to salt attack and efflorescence
Requires breathable lime-based mortars for repointing
Protect from rising damp
Vulnerable to erosion from heavy rainfall
Requires regular inspection and repair of mortar joints
Protection from water ingress is crucial
Vulnerable to freeze-thaw cycles in colder climates
Requires desalination treatments
Avoid cement-based repairs
Requires careful cleaning to avoid abrasion
Biological growth removal
Cracking due to thermal stress
Proper firing is essential for durability
Requires proper drainage to prevent water damage
Use of sacrificial lime plaster to protect brickwork
Replacement with compatible bricks

Recommended Sources

Title	Type	Notes
IS 1077: Common Burnt Clay Building Bricks - Specification	Standard	Indian Standard for brick specifications
Archaeological Survey of India Reports	Technical Report	Material analysis of Ahom structures
Ancient Indian Bricks: A Study	Book	Brick types and manufacturing
Ancient Indian Bricks: A Study	Book	Technical analysis of brick composition and properties
ASI Technical Bulletin	Technical Report	Brickwork analysis
Traditional Brick Making in India	Technical Report	Details on clay selection and firing techniques
Traditional Building Materials of India	Book	Brick manufacturing techniques
IS 1077: Common Burnt Clay Building Bricks - Specification	Indian Standard	Brick specifications
Ancient Indian Bricks: A Study	Book	Technical analysis of brick types
Ancient Indian Bricks	Journal Article	Brick manufacturing techniques
Bricks and Brick Structures in Ancient India	Book	Manufacturing and use of bricks
ASI Technical Bulletin	Technical Report	Brick analysis and conservation
Ancient Indian Bricks: A Study of Manufacturing Techniques	Academic Paper	Details on brick manufacturing
Traditional Brick Making in India	Article	Manufacturing techniques
Ancient Indian Bricks	Article	Brick manufacturing techniques
Building Materials in Ancient India	Book	Brick properties and uses
Brick Technology in Ancient India	Book	Manufacturing and use of bricks in Indian architecture
Brick Manufacturing in India	Technical Report	Traditional brick making techniques
Traditional Indian Brick Making	Technical Report	Brick manufacturing techniques
Ancient Indian Bricks: A Study	Book	Technical analysis of brick composition and manufacturing
IS 1077: Common Burnt Clay Building Bricks - Specification	Indian Standard	Brick specifications
Traditional Indian Brick Making Techniques	Journal Article	Details on clay sourcing and firing
Building Materials by S.K. Duggal	Book	Properties and uses of bricks
Traditional Indian Building Materials	Book	Brick manufacturing and properties
Indian Standard Codes for Brick Masonry	Standard	Specifications and testing methods
Traditional Building Materials of India	Book	Brick manufacturing and properties
ASI Technical Bulletin	Technical Report	Material analysis and conservation
Brick and Tile Manufacture	Book	Details on brick manufacturing processes and properties
Building Materials in India	Book	Brick manufacturing and properties
Ancient Indian Bricks: A Study of Manufacturing Techniques	Academic Paper	Details on brick manufacturing.
Traditional Indian Building Materials and Techniques	Book	Brick manufacturing and usage
Brick Manufacturing in India	Technical Report	Analysis of brick properties and manufacturing techniques
Traditional Brick Making in India	Technical Report	Details on brick manufacturing techniques
Ancient India (ASI)	Journal	Archaeological reports
Brick and Tile Industries in India	Report	Manufacturing process and properties
Building Materials and Construction	Textbook	Brick manufacturing and properties
Traditional Brick Manufacturing in India	Technical Report	Brick properties and manufacturing
Bricks and Mortar: A Practical Guide	Book	Technical details on brick production and use
Bureau of Indian Standards Codes	Standard	Brick specifications
BIS Standards for Bricks	Standard	Brick specifications and testing
Traditional Building Materials and Techniques	Book	Brick manufacturing
Ancient Indian Bricks	Book	Details on brick manufacturing techniques
Brick Technology	Book	Brick manufacturing and properties
BIS Standards for Bricks	Standard	Brick specifications
Central Building Research Institute (CBRI) publications	Technical Report	Brick manufacturing and properties
Brick Manufacturing Technology	Technical Manual	Firing process and properties
Traditional Brick Making Techniques	Technical Manual	Firing and composition
Ancient Brick Technology	Archaeological Report	Manufacturing techniques
IS 1077:1992	Standard	Common Burnt Clay Building Bricks - Specification
Traditional Indian Building Materials and Techniques	Book	Brick manufacturing and use
Traditional Building Materials of India	Book	Brick manufacturing and properties
Ancient Indian Brick Technology	Journal Article	Manufacturing and properties
Bricks and Brick Structures	Technical Report	Material properties and conservation
Traditional Brick Making in India	Article	Technical aspects of brick production
National Building Code of India	Standard	Brick specifications
ASI Technical Bulletin	Technical Report	Material analysis
Brick and Tile Industry in India	Industry Report	Brick manufacturing and properties
IS 1077: Common Burnt Clay Building Bricks - Specification	Indian Standard	Brick specifications
Traditional Indian Brick Making	Technical Report	Brick manufacturing techniques
Traditional Building Materials of India	Book	Brick manufacturing and properties
Traditional Building Materials of India	Book	Brick manufacturing and properties
Central Building Research Institute (CBRI) Publications	Technical Report	Brick manufacturing and properties
Traditional Indian Building Materials and Techniques	Book	Brick manufacturing and properties
Traditional Indian Brick Making	Technical Report	Brick manufacturing techniques
Traditional Brick Making in India	Technical Report	Brick manufacturing process
CBRI Reports	Technical Report	Brick manufacturing and properties
Traditional Brick Making in South India	Journal Article	Details on brick composition and firing techniques
ASI Technical Bulletin	Technical Report	Material analysis
Traditional Indian Building Materials and Technologies	Technical Report	Brick manufacturing and properties

Heritage Sites (1)

Site Name	Status	Usage	Confidence
Nataraja Temple Chidambaram	Primary		100%

ईंट (Brick)