सुरखी - Surkhi (Brick Dust) | Inheritage Foundation Art & Architecture Thesaurus | Inheritage Foundation

Title	सुरखी - Surkhi (Brick Dust) सुरखी Surkhi
Description	सुरखी - Surkhi (Brick Dust) is a pozzolanic material made from crushed, burnt clay bricks or tiles. When mixed with lime, it creates a hydraulic mortar with improved strength and water resistance. Particle size ranges from 75 μm to 4.75 mm.
Tags	सुरखी Surkhi Brick Dust Pozzolan Lime Mortar Additive Hydraulic Mortar Rajasthan Lime Surkhī Brick dust Lime mortar Udayagiri Water Resistance
Material ID	`INHFMAT-186917660-20-11-25-SR`
URI	https://www.inheritage.foundation/aat/material/brick-dust
API Endpoint	`https://inheritage.foundation/api/v1/aat/materials/brick-dust`
Total Sites	25
Primary Sites	10
Created	November 20, 2025
Last Updated	November 20, 2025

Material Types

Types	Pozzolan Additive Ceramic Powder Cementitious Material Pozzolanic Material

Regions

Regions	Uttar Pradesh Punjab Haryana Assam Pan-India Karnataka Bengal Pan-Indian Rajasthan Gangetic Plains Deccan Plateau All of India West Bengal Bihar Pan India Maharashtra India Sri Lanka North India South India Kerala Andhra Pradesh Tamil Nadu

Historical Context

Time Periods	Medieval Period CE Mughal Period Ancient Times Colonial Period Ancient Medieval Mughal Ancient Period Mughal Period CE Ancient times Mughal Period (16th-18th century CE) British Colonial Period Mughal Period (1526-1857 CE) British Colonial Period (1757-1947 CE) 12th century CE Ancient Period BCE Colonial Modern Rajput Period Ahom Dynasty Period Ancient - Present 16th century CE 14th-17th century CE Chola Period (9th-13th century CE) Nayaka Period (16th-17th century CE)
Dynasties	Mughal Delhi Sultanate Mauryan Empire Gupta Empire Mughal Empire Vijayanagara Rajput All dynasties Maurya Gupta Sikh Various British Chauhan Dynasty Rajput Kingdoms Maurya Empire Chola Ahom Dynasty Vijayanagara Empire Portuguese Gajapati dynasty Qutb Shahi dynasty Chera Dynasty Chola Dynasty Nayaka Dynasty

Time Periods

Medieval Period CE

Mughal Period

Ancient Times

Colonial Period

Ancient

Medieval

Mughal

Ancient Period

Mughal Period CE

Ancient times

Mughal Period (16th-18th century CE)

British Colonial Period

Mughal Period (1526-1857 CE)

British Colonial Period (1757-1947 CE)

12th century CE

Ancient Period BCE

Colonial

Modern

Rajput Period

Ahom Dynasty Period

Ancient - Present

16th century CE

14th-17th century CE

Chola Period (9th-13th century CE)

Nayaka Period (16th-17th century CE)

Dynasties

Mughal

Delhi Sultanate

Mauryan Empire

Gupta Empire

Mughal Empire

Vijayanagara

Rajput

All dynasties

Maurya

Gupta

Sikh

Various

British

Chauhan Dynasty

Rajput Kingdoms

Maurya Empire

Chola

Ahom Dynasty

Vijayanagara Empire

Portuguese

Gajapati dynasty

Qutb Shahi dynasty

Chera Dynasty

Chola Dynasty

Nayaka Dynasty

Geographic Sources

Sources	Local brick kilns specific geographic sources Local brick kilns in Assam Brick kilns Recycled brick waste Demolished brick structures Crushed waste bricks from local kilns Crushed burnt clay bricks from demolished structures or brick kilns Tile factories Brick kilns across India Specific regional sources Recycled brick and tile Local brick kilns near Sivasagar Recycled brick material Local brick kilns in Kannur district Local brick kilns near Udayagiri Locally produced from waste bricks and tiles

Sources

Local brick kilns

specific geographic sources

Local brick kilns in Assam

Brick kilns

Recycled brick waste

Demolished brick structures

Crushed waste bricks from local kilns

Crushed burnt clay bricks from demolished structures or brick kilns

Tile factories

Brick kilns across India

Specific regional sources

Recycled brick and tile

Local brick kilns near Sivasagar

Recycled brick material

Local brick kilns in Kannur district

Local brick kilns near Udayagiri

Locally produced from waste bricks and tiles

Properties

Properties	Specific gravity: 2.5-2.7 Fineness: 75 μm to 4.75 mm Pozzolanic activity: High Improves mortar strength Pozzolanic activity Increases mortar strength Reduces mortar permeability Particle size: Varies Particle size: 75-150 microns Particle size: 75-150 μm Increases compressive strength of mortar Particle size: Varies (fine to coarse) Pozzolanic activity: Enhances lime mortar strength Increases compressive strength of lime mortar Improves workability Reduces permeability Particle size: 75-425 microns Particle size: Fine powder Specific gravity: 2.6-2.8 Increases mortar strength and water resistance Improves water resistance Pozzolanic activity: Reacts with lime to form calcium silicate hydrate Reduces permeability of lime mortar Particle size: 0.075-4.75mm Increases lime mortar strength Particle size: Fine Color: Reddish-brown Particle size distribution Specific surface area Moisture content: <5% Fineness: Passing through 90 micron sieve Compressive strength (when mixed with lime): Increases by 20-50% Fineness: <75 microns Particle size: <75 microns Silica content: 50-70% Alumina content: 15-25% Fineness: Passing through IS sieve no. 9 Silica content: >50% Alumina content: 10-20% Particle size: <75 μm Fineness: 75-150 μm Fineness: Varies Fineness: Varies depending on grinding Particle size: <75 microns for optimal reactivity Particle size: 0.075-4.75 mm Particle size: <150 μm Particle size: < 0.075 mm Silica content: > 50% Alumina content: > 20% Particle size: variable Specific surface area: variable Pozzolanic activity: Reacts with lime to form calcium silicate hydrates Silica content: 50-60% Alumina content: 20-30% Increases density of mortar Red color Fineness: Retained on 90 micron sieve < 10%

Specific gravity: 2.5-2.7

Fineness: 75 μm to 4.75 mm

Pozzolanic activity: High

Improves mortar strength

Pozzolanic activity

Increases mortar strength

Reduces mortar permeability

Particle size: Varies

Particle size: 75-150 microns

Particle size: 75-150 μm

Increases compressive strength of mortar

Particle size: Varies (fine to coarse)

Pozzolanic activity: Enhances lime mortar strength

Increases compressive strength of lime mortar

Improves workability

Reduces permeability

Particle size: 75-425 microns

Particle size: Fine powder

Specific gravity: 2.6-2.8

Increases mortar strength and water resistance

Improves water resistance

Pozzolanic activity: Reacts with lime to form calcium silicate hydrate

Reduces permeability of lime mortar

Particle size: 0.075-4.75mm

Increases lime mortar strength

Particle size: Fine

Color: Reddish-brown

Particle size distribution

Specific surface area

Moisture content: <5%

Fineness: Passing through 90 micron sieve

Compressive strength (when mixed with lime): Increases by 20-50%

Fineness: <75 microns

Particle size: <75 microns

Silica content: 50-70%

Alumina content: 15-25%

Fineness: Passing through IS sieve no. 9

Silica content: >50%

Alumina content: 10-20%

Particle size: <75 μm

Fineness: 75-150 μm

Fineness: Varies

Fineness: Varies depending on grinding

Particle size: <75 microns for optimal reactivity

Particle size: 0.075-4.75 mm

Particle size: <150 μm

Particle size: < 0.075 mm

Silica content: > 50%

Alumina content: > 20%

Particle size: variable

Specific surface area: variable

Pozzolanic activity: Reacts with lime to form calcium silicate hydrates

Silica content: 50-60%

Alumina content: 20-30%

Increases density of mortar

Red color

Fineness: Retained on 90 micron sieve < 10%

Common Uses

Uses	Additive to lime mortar Hydraulic binder Plastering Waterproofing Waterproofing agent Hydraulic lime production Reduces shrinkage in mortar Improves workability and hydraulic properties Filler material Pozzolanic cement Hydraulic lime mortar Plaster Increases strength Reduces permeability Improves workability Improves mortar workability Increases mortar durability Reduces mortar permeability Lime mortar additive Plaster additive Concrete additive Increases mortar water resistance Concrete production Improving workability Concrete Increases durability of plaster Additive to चूना - Chunā (Lime Mortar) Lime-Surkhi mortar Additive in lime mortar Terrace waterproofing Improving mortar strength Terrace roofing Improves mortar strength Increasing strength of mortar Improves workability of mortar Improving strength of plaster Improves workability and durability Reduces shrinkage

Uses

Additive to lime mortar

Hydraulic binder

Plastering

Waterproofing

Waterproofing agent

Hydraulic lime production

Reduces shrinkage in mortar

Improves workability and hydraulic properties

Filler material

Pozzolanic cement

Hydraulic lime mortar

Plaster

Increases strength

Reduces permeability

Improves workability

Improves mortar workability

Increases mortar durability

Reduces mortar permeability

Lime mortar additive

Plaster additive

Concrete additive

Increases mortar water resistance

Concrete production

Improving workability

Concrete

Increases durability of plaster

Additive to चूना - Chunā (Lime Mortar)

Lime-Surkhi mortar

Additive in lime mortar

Terrace waterproofing

Improving mortar strength

Terrace roofing

Improves mortar strength

Increasing strength of mortar

Improves workability of mortar

Improving strength of plaster

Improves workability and durability

Reduces shrinkage

Related Materials

Materials	चूना - Chunā (Lime Mortar) ईंट - Īnt (Brick) Ishtikā (Brick) रेती - Reti (Sand) गुड़ - Gur (Jaggery) रेत - Ret (Sand) ईंट - Eent (Brick) बेल का फल - Bel ka Phal (Aegle marmelos) बजरी - Bajri (River Sand) रेती - Retī (Sand) पानी - Pānī (Water) चूना - Chunā (Lime) ईंट - Īnt (Bricks) बालू - Bālū (Sand) कंकड़ - Kankar (Lime Nodules) Bajri (Fine Aggregate) Bajri (Aggregate) कंकड़ - Kankar (Kankar) ईंट - Īṅṭ (Brick) इष्टिका - Ishtikā (Burnt Brick) इष्टिका - Ishtika (Brick) शिला - Shilā (Stone) जल - Jala (Water) Sand

Materials

चूना - Chunā (Lime Mortar)

ईंट - Īnt (Brick)

Ishtikā (Brick)

रेती - Reti (Sand)

गुड़ - Gur (Jaggery)

रेत - Ret (Sand)

ईंट - Eent (Brick)

बेल का फल - Bel ka Phal (Aegle marmelos)

बजरी - Bajri (River Sand)

रेती - Retī (Sand)

पानी - Pānī (Water)

चूना - Chunā (Lime)

ईंट - Īnt (Bricks)

बालू - Bālū (Sand)

कंकड़ - Kankar (Lime Nodules)

Bajri (Fine Aggregate)

Bajri (Aggregate)

कंकड़ - Kankar (Kankar)

ईंट - Īṅṭ (Brick)

इष्टिका - Ishtikā (Burnt Brick)

इष्टिका - Ishtika (Brick)

शिला - Shilā (Stone)

जल - Jala (Water)

Sand

Related Styles

Styles	Indo-Islamic architecture style Regional vernacular styles Traditional Indian architecture All Indian architectural styles Mughal architecture Indo-Islamic architecture Nagara architecture style All styles Traditional Indian architecture style Mughal architecture style All Indic architectural styles Sikh architecture Colonial architecture style Indo-Saracenic architecture Rajput architecture style Rajput architecture Traditional Indian architecture styles Bengal architecture style Deccan architecture style Indo-Saracenic architecture style All traditional Indian architectural styles Regional variations of Nagara and Dravidian styles Regional variations of traditional architecture Vernacular architecture Traditional Indian Architecture Regional variations Dravidian architecture style Ahom architecture Sri Lankan architecture Indo-Portuguese architecture Vijayanagara architecture Deccan architecture Dravidian Architecture Nagara Architecture Vernacular Architecture

Styles

Indo-Islamic architecture style

Regional vernacular styles

Traditional Indian architecture

All Indian architectural styles

Mughal architecture

Indo-Islamic architecture

Nagara architecture style

All styles

Traditional Indian architecture style

Mughal architecture style

All Indic architectural styles

Sikh architecture

Colonial architecture style

Indo-Saracenic architecture

Rajput architecture style

Rajput architecture

Traditional Indian architecture styles

Bengal architecture style

Deccan architecture style

Indo-Saracenic architecture style

All traditional Indian architectural styles

Regional variations of Nagara and Dravidian styles

Regional variations of traditional architecture

Vernacular architecture

Traditional Indian Architecture

Regional variations

Dravidian architecture style

Ahom architecture

Sri Lankan architecture

Indo-Portuguese architecture

Vijayanagara architecture

Deccan architecture

Dravidian Architecture

Nagara Architecture

Vernacular Architecture

Related Categories

Categories	Temple Fort Water structures Water Structures Temples Forts Palaces Residential Buildings Tomb Bridge Residences Palace Residential Water harvesting structures Water tank Well House Mosque Water Harvesting Structures Havelis Wells Stepwell Monument Water Tank Mortar All heritage categories

Conservation Notes

Notes	Improves durability of lime mortar Reduces permeability Requires proper mixing with lime Proper proportioning is crucial for optimal performance Should be free from organic impurities Improves the durability of lime mortar Improves mortar durability Reduces cracking Enhances water resistance Ensure compatibility with lime mortar Proper proportioning is crucial Excessive Surkhi can weaken the mortar Proper grinding is essential for reactivity Store in dry conditions to prevent pre-hydration Affects the color of the mortar Reduces shrinkage cracking Increases resistance to water penetration Increases resistance to cracking Proper grinding is essential for pozzolanic activity Mixing ratio with lime affects mortar properties Improves mortar's resistance to sulfate attack Proper grading is essential for pozzolanic activity Should be free from impurities Proper particle size distribution is crucial Affects color of mortar Ensure proper burning of bricks for pozzolanic activity Proper mixing ratio with lime is crucial Can improve durability of lime mortar May contain soluble salts Requires proper mixing Improves durability of mortar Proper particle size is crucial Affects mortar color Improves resistance to sulfate attack Ensure proper particle size distribution Use with compatible lime Can improve mortar durability Store in dry conditions to prevent hydration Use in appropriate proportions to avoid excessive shrinkage Ensure proper mixing with lime and sand Properly burnt bricks are essential Particle size affects performance Ensure proper particle size distribution for optimal performance Compatible with lime-based systems Proper proportioning is crucial to avoid cracking Improves long-term durability of mortar Requires proper mixing ratios Increases durability of lime mortar Reduces shrinkage cracks Can affect color of mortar Protect from moisture during storage Improves the durability of lime mortar. Reduces permeability. Requires proper mixing and curing. Increases resistance to sulfate attack Requires proper mixing to ensure pozzolanic reaction Ensure proper grinding and burning of bricks for optimal pozzolanic activity Use appropriate proportions in lime mortar mix Compatibility with original mortar Fineness affects pozzolanic activity Ensuring proper particle size distribution Compatibility with lime Avoiding excessive amounts Improves mortar workability and reduces shrinkage Can contribute to efflorescence if the original brick contains soluble salts Increases water resistance Ensure proper proportion in lime mortar mix Use well-burnt and finely ground Surkhi Improves durability of lime plaster Requires proper grinding and sieving Improves the durability and water resistance of lime mortar Store in a dry place to prevent pre-hydration Proper burning of bricks is crucial for pozzolanic activity Proper grinding is essential Compatibility with lime source Moisture sensitivity during mixing Requires proper proportioning in lime mortar Potential for efflorescence if improperly burnt Use well-burnt bricks for best results Surkhi should be free from impurities and organic matter. Proper proportioning is crucial for optimal performance. Excessive Surkhi can reduce mortar workability. Requires proper proportioning in mortar mix Can contain soluble salts Particle size affects pozzolanic activity Ensure proper particle size distribution for optimal performance. Store in dry conditions to prevent pre-hydration. Use with high-quality lime for best results. Proper proportioning is crucial to avoid excessive shrinkage Properly burnt and pulverized Surkhi is essential for optimal performance Can improve the durability of lime mortar in wet environments

Notes

Improves durability of lime mortar
Reduces permeability
Requires proper mixing with lime
Proper proportioning is crucial for optimal performance
Should be free from organic impurities
Improves the durability of lime mortar
Improves mortar durability
Reduces cracking
Enhances water resistance
Ensure compatibility with lime mortar
Proper proportioning is crucial
Excessive Surkhi can weaken the mortar
Proper grinding is essential for reactivity
Store in dry conditions to prevent pre-hydration
Affects the color of the mortar
Reduces shrinkage cracking
Increases resistance to water penetration
Increases resistance to cracking
Proper grinding is essential for pozzolanic activity
Mixing ratio with lime affects mortar properties
Improves mortar's resistance to sulfate attack
Proper grading is essential for pozzolanic activity
Should be free from impurities
Proper particle size distribution is crucial
Affects color of mortar
Ensure proper burning of bricks for pozzolanic activity
Proper mixing ratio with lime is crucial
Can improve durability of lime mortar
May contain soluble salts
Requires proper mixing
Improves durability of mortar
Proper particle size is crucial
Affects mortar color
Improves resistance to sulfate attack
Ensure proper particle size distribution
Use with compatible lime
Can improve mortar durability
Store in dry conditions to prevent hydration
Use in appropriate proportions to avoid excessive shrinkage
Ensure proper mixing with lime and sand
Properly burnt bricks are essential
Particle size affects performance
Ensure proper particle size distribution for optimal performance
Compatible with lime-based systems
Proper proportioning is crucial to avoid cracking
Improves long-term durability of mortar
Requires proper mixing ratios
Increases durability of lime mortar
Reduces shrinkage cracks
Can affect color of mortar
Protect from moisture during storage
Improves the durability of lime mortar.
Reduces permeability.
Requires proper mixing and curing.
Increases resistance to sulfate attack
Requires proper mixing to ensure pozzolanic reaction
Ensure proper grinding and burning of bricks for optimal pozzolanic activity
Use appropriate proportions in lime mortar mix
Compatibility with original mortar
Fineness affects pozzolanic activity
Ensuring proper particle size distribution
Compatibility with lime
Avoiding excessive amounts
Improves mortar workability and reduces shrinkage
Can contribute to efflorescence if the original brick contains soluble salts
Increases water resistance
Ensure proper proportion in lime mortar mix
Use well-burnt and finely ground Surkhi
Improves durability of lime plaster
Requires proper grinding and sieving
Improves the durability and water resistance of lime mortar
Store in a dry place to prevent pre-hydration
Proper burning of bricks is crucial for pozzolanic activity
Proper grinding is essential
Compatibility with lime source
Moisture sensitivity during mixing
Requires proper proportioning in lime mortar
Potential for efflorescence if improperly burnt
Use well-burnt bricks for best results
Surkhi should be free from impurities and organic matter.
Proper proportioning is crucial for optimal performance.
Excessive Surkhi can reduce mortar workability.
Requires proper proportioning in mortar mix
Can contain soluble salts
Particle size affects pozzolanic activity
Ensure proper particle size distribution for optimal performance.
Store in dry conditions to prevent pre-hydration.
Use with high-quality lime for best results.
Proper proportioning is crucial to avoid excessive shrinkage
Properly burnt and pulverized Surkhi is essential for optimal performance
Can improve the durability of lime mortar in wet environments

Recommended Sources

Title	Type	Notes
Building Limes in India	Report	Surkhi as a pozzolanic material
Pozzolanic Materials in Indian Construction	Journal Article	Surkhi properties and applications
Pozzolanic Materials	Technical Report	Properties and applications of pozzolanic materials in construction
Building Limes: Properties, Production and Use	Book	Information on pozzolanic additives
Pozzolanic Materials in Ancient India	Technical Report	Analysis of Surkhi properties and uses
Pozzolanic Materials in Construction	Book	Detailed analysis of pozzolanic materials
Traditional Mortars in India	Technical Report	Composition and properties
Building Materials and Construction	Textbook	Pozzolanic materials
Lime and Lime Mortars	Book	Surkhi as a pozzolan
Traditional Indian Building Materials	Book	Lime-Surkhi mortar
Traditional Knowledge Digital Library	Database	Traditional building techniques
ASI Technical Bulletin	Technical Report	Material analysis
Building Materials Research Reports	Technical Report	Surkhi properties and applications
Central Building Research Institute Reports	Technical Report	Surkhi properties and applications

Heritage Sites (25)

Site Name	Status	Usage	Confidence
Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga Ujjain	Primary		100%
Mandu Fort Mandu	Primary		100%
My Son Sanctuary Quang Nam Vietnam	Primary		100%
Salasar Balaji Temple Churu	Primary		100%
Sheetla Mata Mandir Gurugram	Primary	Foundation	100%
Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple Srirangam	Primary		100%
Udayagiri Fort Nellore	Primary		100%
Vaikom Mahadeva Temple Vaikom	Primary		100%
Vaitheeswaran Koil	Primary	Walls	100%
Veerabhadra Temple Lepakshi	Primary		100%
Mundeshwari Devi Temple Kaura	Secondary		100%
Nathmal Ki Haveli Jaisalmer	Secondary		100%
Pemayangtse Monastery Pelling	Secondary		100%
Po Klong Garai Towers Phan Rang Vietnam	Secondary		100%
Polonnaruwa Ancient City North Central Province Sri Lanka	Secondary		100%
Quanzhou Shiva Temple Columns Laoximen Fujian China	Secondary		100%
Raichur Fort Raichur	Secondary		100%
Rama Mandir Lunglei	Secondary		100%
Ranganatha Temple Nellore	Secondary		100%
Sigiriya Rock Fortress Central Province Sri Lanka	Secondary		100%
Sivasagar Fort Sivasagar	Secondary		100%
Sri Maha Bodhi Mahamevnawa Anuradhapura Sri Lanka	Secondary		100%
Sringeri Sharadamba Temple Sringeri	Secondary		100%
St. Angelo Fort Kannur	Secondary		100%
Vadakkunnathan Temple Thrissur	Secondary		100%