செங்கல் - Ceṅkal (Bricks) | Inheritage Foundation Art & Architecture Thesaurus | Inheritage Foundation

Title	செங்கல் - Ceṅkal (Bricks) செங்கல் Ceṅkal
Description	Ceṅkal (Bricks) are used in the Brihadeeswarar Temple for infill and structural elements. Fired clay bricks exhibit compressive strength ranging from 5-20 MPa, depending on firing temperature (800-1100°C) and clay composition. Porosity ranges from 15-25%.
Tags	इँट Īnt Brick Clay Kiln Masonry इष्टिका Ishtika Bricks Clay Bricks Terracotta Ishtikā Firing ईंट Fired Rajasthan Burnt Clay Bricks Ceramic Clay bricks Īṅṭ Īṇṭ செங்கல் Ceṅkal Temple
Material ID	`INHFMAT-511547586-20-11-25-CK`
URI	https://www.inheritage.foundation/aat/material/bricks
API Endpoint	`https://inheritage.foundation/api/v1/aat/materials/bricks`
Total Sites	2
Primary Sites	0
Created	November 20, 2025
Last Updated	November 20, 2025

Material Types

Types	Ceramic Clay Product Fired Clay Artificial Stone Building Material Masonry Unit Clay Manufactured Masonry Unit Earthenware Manufactured Masonry

Regions

Regions	Nagaland Uttar Pradesh Punjab Haryana West Bengal Maharashtra Tripura Bangladesh Himachal Pradesh Bihar Indus Valley Civilization sites Gangetic Plains Bengal Assam Andhra Pradesh Gujarat Rajasthan Madhya Pradesh Pan India Telangana Jharkhand Indus Valley Karnataka Tamil Nadu

Historical Context

Time Periods	Indus Valley Civilization (3300-1700 BCE) Maurya Period (322-185 BCE) 3rd century BCE Medieval Period CE British Colonial Period 15th century CE 16th century CE 18th Century CE Mauryan Period (322-185 BCE) Gupta Period (320-550 CE) Pala Empire (750-1174 CE) 3300-1700 BCE (Indus Valley) 13th Century CE 17th century CE Indus Valley Civilization Gupta Period CE Mughal Period CE Mauryan Period Mughal Period Gupta Period Modern Era Indus Valley Civilization BCE Mauryan Period BCE 17th Century CE Modern Period 8th-9th century CE Ancient Medieval Medieval Period Delhi Sultanate Mauryan period (322-185 BCE) Gupta period (320-550 CE) Vijayanagara Empire (1336-1646 CE) Chola Period (11th century CE)
Dynasties	Maurya Gupta Mughal Maurya Dynasty Gupta Dynasty Mughal Dynasty Manikya dynasty Sikh Empire Rajput Kingdoms Mauryan Pala Gahadavala dynasty Ahom Dynasty Vijayanagara Empire Likely local Tripuri Kingdom Delhi Sultanate Rajput Rajput clans Ghurid Dynasty Khilji Dynasty Bundela Dynasty Mughal Empire Chudasama dynasty Gujarat Sultanate Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty Maurya Empire Gupta Empire Solanki Bundela Rajputs Vijayanagara Chola Dynasty Chola

Time Periods

Indus Valley Civilization (3300-1700 BCE)

Maurya Period (322-185 BCE)

3rd century BCE

Medieval Period CE

British Colonial Period

15th century CE

16th century CE

18th Century CE

Mauryan Period (322-185 BCE)

Gupta Period (320-550 CE)

Pala Empire (750-1174 CE)

3300-1700 BCE (Indus Valley)

13th Century CE

17th century CE

Indus Valley Civilization

Gupta Period CE

Mughal Period CE

Mauryan Period

Mughal Period

Gupta Period

Modern Era

Indus Valley Civilization BCE

Mauryan Period BCE

17th Century CE

Modern Period

8th-9th century CE

Ancient

Medieval

Medieval Period

Delhi Sultanate

Mauryan period (322-185 BCE)

Gupta period (320-550 CE)

Vijayanagara Empire (1336-1646 CE)

Chola Period (11th century CE)

Dynasties

Maurya

Gupta

Mughal

Maurya Dynasty

Gupta Dynasty

Mughal Dynasty

Manikya dynasty

Sikh Empire

Rajput Kingdoms

Mauryan

Pala

Gahadavala dynasty

Ahom Dynasty

Vijayanagara Empire

Likely local Tripuri Kingdom

Delhi Sultanate

Rajput

Rajput clans

Ghurid Dynasty

Khilji Dynasty

Bundela Dynasty

Mughal Empire

Chudasama dynasty

Gujarat Sultanate

Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty

Maurya Empire

Gupta Empire

Solanki

Bundela Rajputs

Vijayanagara

Chola Dynasty

Chola

Geographic Sources

Sources	Local brick kilns in Dimapur region Local clay pits Brick kilns near riverbeds Local clay deposits Brick kilns near Pandharpur Ganga River basin clay Local clay deposits near Udaipur, Tripura Local brick kilns near Kangra Valley Local brick kilns near Dimapur Local clay deposits near riverbanks Brick kilns in Bengal region Local brick kilns near Raigarh Gangetic plain clay deposits Local brick kilns near Deo Local brick kilns near Guwahati, using alluvial clay from Brahmaputra river basin Brick kilns near construction sites Local clay deposits near Allahabad specific geographic sources Local brick kilns Local clay deposits along riverbanks Local clay deposits near Champaner Brick kilns in Gujarat Local clay deposits near Chanderi Brick kilns in Ashoknagar district Local clay pits near Chandragiri Clay deposits near Chittorgarh Local clay deposits near riverbeds Brick kilns in rural areas Local clay deposits near brick kilns Specific brick kiln locations in various regions Local brick kilns near Mandu, Dhar district Local brick kilns near Orchha Alluvial clay deposits along Betwa River Local kilns near Junagadh Alluvial clay deposits Local clay deposits near Pehowa Alluvial plains of Haryana Local brick kilns near Ujjain Brick kilns near settlements Local clay deposits along the Ganges River Local clay pits near Orchha Brick kilns in Gujarat region Brick kilns Local brick kilns near Kurukshetra Local brick kilns near Agartala Brick kilns near archaeological sites Kilns near settlements Local clay deposits near Hampi Brick kilns in Karnataka Local brick kilns near Thanjavur Kilns near construction sites

Sources

Local brick kilns in Dimapur region

Local clay pits

Brick kilns near riverbeds

Local clay deposits

Brick kilns near Pandharpur

Ganga River basin clay

Local clay deposits near Udaipur, Tripura

Local brick kilns near Kangra Valley

Local brick kilns near Dimapur

Local clay deposits near riverbanks

Brick kilns in Bengal region

Local brick kilns near Raigarh

Gangetic plain clay deposits

Local brick kilns near Deo

Local brick kilns near Guwahati, using alluvial clay from Brahmaputra river basin

Brick kilns near construction sites

Local clay deposits near Allahabad

specific geographic sources

Local brick kilns

Local clay deposits along riverbanks

Local clay deposits near Champaner

Brick kilns in Gujarat

Local clay deposits near Chanderi

Brick kilns in Ashoknagar district

Local clay pits near Chandragiri

Clay deposits near Chittorgarh

Local clay deposits near riverbeds

Brick kilns in rural areas

Local clay deposits near brick kilns

Specific brick kiln locations in various regions

Local brick kilns near Mandu, Dhar district

Local brick kilns near Orchha

Alluvial clay deposits along Betwa River

Local kilns near Junagadh

Alluvial clay deposits

Local clay deposits near Pehowa

Alluvial plains of Haryana

Local brick kilns near Ujjain

Brick kilns near settlements

Local clay deposits along the Ganges River

Local clay pits near Orchha

Brick kilns in Gujarat region

Brick kilns

Local brick kilns near Kurukshetra

Local brick kilns near Agartala

Brick kilns near archaeological sites

Kilns near settlements

Local clay deposits near Hampi

Brick kilns in Karnataka

Local brick kilns near Thanjavur

Kilns near construction sites

Properties

Properties	Compressive strength: 10-20 MPa Water absorption: 15-20% Density: 1.8-2.0 g/cm³ Firing temperature: 900-1000°C Compressive strength: 3.5-35 MPa Water absorption: 10-20% Density: 1600-2200 kg/m³ Thermal conductivity: 0.6-1.0 W/mK Compressive strength: 5-30 MPa Density: 1.6-2.0 g/cm³ Firing temperature: 900-1100°C Water absorption: 15-25% Firing temperature: 800-950°C Compressive strength: 3.5-7 MPa Density: 1.6-1.8 g/cm³ Compressive strength: 5-15 MPa Compressive strength: 3.5-35 MPa (depending on firing) Density: 1.6-2.2 g/cm³ Water absorption: 5-20% Thermal conductivity: 0.6-0.8 W/mK Compressive strength: 3.5-14 MPa Firing temperature: 800-1000°C Compressive strength: 5-20 MPa Porosity: 15-25% Compressive strength: 7-14 MPa Compressive strength: 5-30 MPa (depending on firing) Water absorption: 10-25% Compressive strength: 5-40 MPa Compressive strength: 3.5-35 MPa (depending on class) Porosity: 20-30% Compressive strength: 10-30 MPa Firing temperature: 800-900°C Compressive strength: 15-25 MPa Firing temperature: 900-1100 °C Compressive strength: 10-15 MPa Compressive strength: 10-35 MPa Density: 1600-1900 kg/m³ Thermal conductivity: 0.6-1.0 W/m.K Compressive strength: 5-35 MPa Porosity: 10-25% Specific gravity: 1.8-2.2 Density: 1.8-2.2 g/cm³

Compressive strength: 10-20 MPa

Water absorption: 15-20%

Density: 1.8-2.0 g/cm³

Firing temperature: 900-1000°C

Compressive strength: 3.5-35 MPa

Water absorption: 10-20%

Density: 1600-2200 kg/m³

Thermal conductivity: 0.6-1.0 W/mK

Compressive strength: 5-30 MPa

Density: 1.6-2.0 g/cm³

Firing temperature: 900-1100°C

Water absorption: 15-25%

Firing temperature: 800-950°C

Compressive strength: 3.5-7 MPa

Density: 1.6-1.8 g/cm³

Compressive strength: 5-15 MPa

Compressive strength: 3.5-35 MPa (depending on firing)

Density: 1.6-2.2 g/cm³

Water absorption: 5-20%

Thermal conductivity: 0.6-0.8 W/mK

Compressive strength: 3.5-14 MPa

Firing temperature: 800-1000°C

Compressive strength: 5-20 MPa

Porosity: 15-25%

Compressive strength: 7-14 MPa

Compressive strength: 5-30 MPa (depending on firing)

Water absorption: 10-25%

Compressive strength: 5-40 MPa

Compressive strength: 3.5-35 MPa (depending on class)

Porosity: 20-30%

Compressive strength: 10-30 MPa

Firing temperature: 800-900°C

Compressive strength: 15-25 MPa

Firing temperature: 900-1100 °C

Compressive strength: 10-15 MPa

Compressive strength: 10-35 MPa

Density: 1600-1900 kg/m³

Thermal conductivity: 0.6-1.0 W/m.K

Compressive strength: 5-35 MPa

Porosity: 10-25%

Specific gravity: 1.8-2.2

Density: 1.8-2.2 g/cm³

Common Uses

Uses	Wall construction Paving Vaulting Load-bearing walls Partition walls Vaulted roofs Arches Vaults Pavements Linings Ornamental details Infill walls Decorative elements Facing material Walls Linings of wells and tanks Superstructure Ornamental work Ornamental brickwork Infill material Secondary wall construction Arch construction Foundation Core masonry Vault construction Fireplaces Structural elements in specific areas

Uses

Wall construction

Paving

Vaulting

Load-bearing walls

Partition walls

Vaulted roofs

Arches

Vaults

Pavements

Linings

Ornamental details

Infill walls

Decorative elements

Facing material

Walls

Linings of wells and tanks

Superstructure

Ornamental work

Ornamental brickwork

Infill material

Secondary wall construction

Arch construction

Foundation

Core masonry

Vault construction

Fireplaces

Structural elements in specific areas

Related Materials

Materials	चूना - Chunā (Lime Mortar) सुरखी - Surkhi (Brick Dust) Kāshtha (Wood) for scaffolding रेती - Reti (Sand) मृत्तिका - Mrittika (Mud) Kāshtha (Wood) रेती - Retī (Sand) बजरी - Bajri (Aggregate) कंकड़ - Kankar (Aggregate) धातु - Dhātu (Metal) Shilā (Stone) रेत - Ret (Sand) मिट्टी - Mitti (Clay) गाारा - Gārā (Mud Mortar) रेती - Rētī (Sand) Mud mortar சுண்ணாம்புச் சாந்து - Cuṇṇāmpuc cāntu (Lime Mortar) சுர்க்கி - Curkki (Surkhi) சுண்ணாம்பு - Cunnāmpu (Lime) Surkhi (Brick Dust)

Materials

चूना - Chunā (Lime Mortar)

सुरखी - Surkhi (Brick Dust)

Kāshtha (Wood) for scaffolding

रेती - Reti (Sand)

मृत्तिका - Mrittika (Mud)

Kāshtha (Wood)

रेती - Retī (Sand)

बजरी - Bajri (Aggregate)

कंकड़ - Kankar (Aggregate)

धातु - Dhātu (Metal)

Shilā (Stone)

रेत - Ret (Sand)

मिट्टी - Mitti (Clay)

गाारा - Gārā (Mud Mortar)

रेती - Rētī (Sand)

Mud mortar

சுண்ணாம்புச் சாந்து - Cuṇṇāmpuc cāntu (Lime Mortar)

சுர்க்கி - Curkki (Surkhi)

சுண்ணாம்பு - Cunnāmpu (Lime)

Surkhi (Brick Dust)

Related Styles

Styles	Regional Temple Architecture Indo-Islamic architecture style Bengal architecture style Bengal terracotta architecture Indo-Islamic architecture Bengal temple architecture Nagara architecture style Himachali Temple Architecture Gupta architecture Bengal terracotta architecture style Ahom architecture Vijayanagara architecture style Bengal Temple Architecture Rajput architecture style Vijayanagara architecture Traditional Indian architecture Rajput architecture Bengal terracotta temple architecture style Mughal architecture style Pratihara style Ancient Indian architecture Regional vernacular architecture Regional Gujarat architecture Bengal architecture Regional temple architecture Tripura temple architecture Indus Valley Civilization architecture style Gupta architecture style Dravidian architecture style Dravidian architecture

Styles

Regional Temple Architecture

Indo-Islamic architecture style

Bengal architecture style

Bengal terracotta architecture

Indo-Islamic architecture

Bengal temple architecture

Nagara architecture style

Himachali Temple Architecture

Gupta architecture

Bengal terracotta architecture style

Ahom architecture

Vijayanagara architecture style

Bengal Temple Architecture

Rajput architecture style

Vijayanagara architecture

Traditional Indian architecture

Rajput architecture

Bengal terracotta temple architecture style

Mughal architecture style

Pratihara style

Ancient Indian architecture

Regional vernacular architecture

Regional Gujarat architecture

Bengal architecture

Regional temple architecture

Tripura temple architecture

Indus Valley Civilization architecture style

Gupta architecture style

Dravidian architecture style

Dravidian architecture

Related Categories

Categories	Temple Residential buildings Fort Residential Buildings Monastery Stupa Residential Palace Gateway Residential Building Stepwell Public Buildings House

Conservation Notes

Notes	Susceptible to salt attack Requires protection from rising damp Use of breathable pointing mortars Susceptible to salt efflorescence Requires breathable lime-based mortars for repair Protect from rising damp Prone to cracking due to freeze-thaw cycles Susceptible to salt attack and efflorescence Use of breathable mortars is essential Requires breathable lime mortars for repointing Cracking due to thermal stress Requires breathable pointing mortars Protection from rising damp is crucial Erosion due to weathering Requires repointing with compatible mortar Requires breathable mortars for repair Damage from rising damp Susceptible to efflorescence due to salt content Requires protection from waterlogging Requires breathable lime-based mortars for repointing Brittle and prone to cracking Cracking due to freeze-thaw cycles Efflorescence Requires breathable mortars Proper drainage is crucial Susceptible to efflorescence due to salt migration Repointing with compatible lime mortar is essential Requires repointing of mortar joints Protect from water damage Susceptible to salt attack and freeze-thaw damage. Requires careful repointing with compatible mortar. Efflorescence removal is often necessary. Efflorescence can be a problem Susceptible to salt attack and frost damage Biological growth can be an issue Frost damage in cold climates Efflorescence due to salt migration Biological growth Requires appropriate mortar for repointing Requires breathable lime mortar for repointing Vulnerable to freeze-thaw damage Susceptible to efflorescence Requires careful repointing with compatible mortar Prone to cracking due to thermal stress Requires proper drainage Requires breathable mortars for repair. Avoid cement-based pointing. Requires protection from water ingress Susceptible to efflorescence due to soluble salts Requires breathable pointing Avoid cement-based repairs Susceptible to salt attack and erosion Efflorescence can damage the surface Requires repointing with lime mortar Susceptible to salt efflorescence and water damage Prone to cracking and spalling Erosion due to freeze-thaw cycles Requires breathable mortars for repointing Requires breathable mortar for repointing Protection from rising damp is essential

Notes

Susceptible to salt attack
Requires protection from rising damp
Use of breathable pointing mortars
Susceptible to salt efflorescence
Requires breathable lime-based mortars for repair
Protect from rising damp
Prone to cracking due to freeze-thaw cycles
Susceptible to salt attack and efflorescence
Use of breathable mortars is essential
Requires breathable lime mortars for repointing
Cracking due to thermal stress
Requires breathable pointing mortars
Protection from rising damp is crucial
Erosion due to weathering
Requires repointing with compatible mortar
Requires breathable mortars for repair
Damage from rising damp
Susceptible to efflorescence due to salt content
Requires protection from waterlogging
Requires breathable lime-based mortars for repointing
Brittle and prone to cracking
Cracking due to freeze-thaw cycles
Efflorescence
Requires breathable mortars
Proper drainage is crucial
Susceptible to efflorescence due to salt migration
Repointing with compatible lime mortar is essential
Requires repointing of mortar joints
Protect from water damage
Susceptible to salt attack and freeze-thaw damage.
Requires careful repointing with compatible mortar.
Efflorescence removal is often necessary.
Efflorescence can be a problem
Susceptible to salt attack and frost damage
Biological growth can be an issue
Frost damage in cold climates
Efflorescence due to salt migration
Biological growth
Requires appropriate mortar for repointing
Requires breathable lime mortar for repointing
Vulnerable to freeze-thaw damage
Susceptible to efflorescence
Requires careful repointing with compatible mortar
Prone to cracking due to thermal stress
Requires proper drainage
Requires breathable mortars for repair.
Avoid cement-based pointing.
Requires protection from water ingress
Susceptible to efflorescence due to soluble salts
Requires breathable pointing
Avoid cement-based repairs
Susceptible to salt attack and erosion
Efflorescence can damage the surface
Requires repointing with lime mortar
Susceptible to salt efflorescence and water damage
Prone to cracking and spalling
Erosion due to freeze-thaw cycles
Requires breathable mortars for repointing
Requires breathable mortar for repointing
Protection from rising damp is essential

Recommended Sources

Title	Type	Notes
Ancient Indian Bricks: A Study	Book	Technical analysis of brick types
Traditional Building Materials of India	Book	Brick manufacturing techniques
Ancient Indian Bricks: A Study	Book	Technical analysis of brick types
Traditional Indian Brick Making Techniques	Journal Article	Analysis of brick composition and firing
Traditional Brick Making in India	Article	Details on traditional brick manufacturing techniques
Traditional Indian Brick Making Techniques	Technical Report	Brick manufacturing and properties
Brick Manufacturing in India	Industry Report	Production and properties of Indian bricks
Traditional Building Materials of India	Book	Brick manufacturing and properties
Central Building Research Institute Publications	Research Paper	Brick manufacturing and properties
National Building Code of India	Standard	Specifications for brick masonry
Traditional Indian Building Techniques	Book	Details on brick construction methods
Ancient Indian Bricks: A Study	Book	Brick technology
Ancient Indian Bricks	Book	Manufacturing and use of bricks in ancient India
Ancient India	Archaeological Survey	Brick structures in ancient India
Ancient India Bulletin	Archaeological Survey	Brick types and construction techniques
ASI Technical Bulletin	Technical Report	Material analysis
Traditional Building Materials of India	Book	Brick manufacturing techniques
Ancient India	Archaeological Journal	Brick technology in ancient India
Traditional Indian Brick Making	Technical Report	Manufacturing process
Traditional Building Materials of India	Book	Brick manufacturing techniques
Traditional Indian Brick Making	Article	Brick manufacturing techniques
Traditional Brick Making in India	Technical Report	Manufacturing process

Heritage Sites (2)

Site Name	Status	Usage	Confidence
Brihadeeswarar Temple Thanjavur	Secondary		100%
Dindigul Fort Dindigul	Secondary		100%