| Title | ताम्र (Copper)Rare Tāmra Copper |
|---|---|
| Description | ചെമ്പ് (Cemp), or copper, denoted as ताम्र (Tāmra) in Sanskrit, is a native element metal extensively used in Indic heritage architecture [1]. Its high thermal conductivity (401 W/m·K) and density (8.96 g/cm³) made it ideal for roofing, finials (कलश - Kalasha), and statuary from the Indus Valley Civilization (3300-1700 BCE) onwards [2]. Copper mines in Rajasthan (Khetri) and Jharkhand (Singhbhum) provided raw materials. Traditional processing involved smelting and hammering to create sheets and intricate designs. Its malleability facilitated the creation of decorative cladding and religious artifacts. The Mauryan and Gupta Empires utilized copper for inscriptions and ritual objects. Copper's corrosion resistance, forming a protective patina, ensured longevity in structures like Chola-era temples. Conservation involves careful cleaning and stabilization to preserve the patina while addressing structural issues. Modern restoration often incorporates copper for electrical wiring, respecting the material's historical significance. [3] |
| Also Known As | Copper Tāmra Copper Cuprum ताम्र ताँबा ताम्र धातु चेമ്പ് (ചെമ്പ്) రాగి (Rāgi) ತಾಮ್ರ (Tāmra) செம்பு (Cempu) |
| Tags | तांबा Tāmbā Copper Patina Metal Khetri Corrosion Ductile Malleable Roofing Cladding Statue Finial Tāṃbā ताम्र Tāmra Brass Bronze Uttarakhand Kalasha Conductivity Mine Ornamentation कलश Oxidation Decoration Malanjkhand Chamba Plumbing Wiring Kerala Tibet Verdigris Corrosion resistance செம்பு Cempu Temple Chembu |
| Material ID | INHFMAT-675043358-20-11-25-CO |
| URI | https://www.inheritage.foundation/aat/material/copper |
| API Endpoint | https://www.inheritage.foundation/api/v1/aat/materials/copper |
| Total Sites | 1 |
| Primary Sites | 1 |
| Created | November 20, 2025 |
| Last Updated | November 28, 2025 |
External References
Material Types
| Types | Metal Native Element Alloy Non-ferrous Metal Non-Ferrous Metal Native Metal Copper |
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Regions
| Regions | Rajasthan Jharkhand Madhya Pradesh Andhra Pradesh Uttarakhand Karnataka Pan-India Tibet Pan-Indian Rajasthan (Khetri) Jharkhand (Singhbhum) Himachal Pradesh Various (used pan-India) Kerala Bihar Gandhara region India Sikkim Rajasthan (Khetri copper mines) Kerala (imported) Jharkhand (Singhbhum copper belt) Maharashtra Tamil Nadu |
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Historical Context
| Time Periods | Indus Valley Civilization Mauryan Period Gupta Period Ancient Period BCE Medieval Period CE Ancient times Colonial Period Bronze Age (3300-1200 BCE) 16th century CE Ancient Times 18th Century CE 19th Century CE Medieval Period CE onwards Ancient Medieval Modern Ancient Period 15th Century CE onwards Indus Valley Civilization BCE Modern Period CE 16th Century CE 8th-13th century CE Ancient times onwards Medieval Period 8th century CE Later Renovations 9th century CE onwards 10th-11th century CE Modern Era Mauryan Empire Gupta Empire Indus Valley Civilization (3300-1700 BCE) Kushan Period (1st-5th century CE) Chola Period 17th Century CE 7th century CE 13th century CE Yuan Dynasty 15th Century CE Mauryan Empire (322-185 BCE) Vijayanagara Period (14th-17th century CE) Vijayanagara Empire Maratha Period 9th century CE 10th century CE Chalcolithic Period (3300-1200 BCE) Chola Period (11th century CE) 12th century CE |
|---|---|
| Dynasties | Maurya Gupta Mauryan Rajput Chola Chand Dynasty Maurya Empire Gupta Empire Travancore Katyuri dynasty Various dynasties across India and Tibet Rajput Kingdoms Mughal Empire Various dynasties of Karnataka Chamba Kingdom Various Cochin Royal Family Travancore Royal Family Maurya Dynasty Gupta Dynasty Fifth Dalai Lama's Reign Chola Dynasty Tibetan Empire Sakya Dynasty Vijayanagara Vijayanagara Empire Yadava Dynasty Maratha Empire Chera Dynasty Pandya |
Geographic Sources
| Sources | Khetri Copper Mines Malanjkhand Copper Project Khetri copper mines Singhbhum copper belt Malanjkhand copper mines Khetri mines (Rajasthan) Singhbhum mines (Jharkhand) Agnigundala mines (Andhra Pradesh) Khetri copper mines (Rajasthan) Singhbhum copper belt (Jharkhand) Local metalworkers Imported from other regions Singhbhum belt (Jharkhand) Ingaldhal mines (Karnataka) Indian Copper Corporation mines Imported copper sheets Rajasthan copper mines Copper mines Recycled sources Malanjkhand copper mines (Madhya Pradesh) Copper mines in Rajasthan and Jharkhand Copper mines (historical) Metal workshops Rajasthan mines (Khetri) Jharkhand mines (Singhbhum) Andhra Pradesh mines (various) Jharkhand copper mines Malanjkhand mines (Madhya Pradesh) Khetri copper mines, Rajasthan Singhbhum copper belt, Jharkhand Khetri mines Singhbhum mines Malanjkhand mines Local mines or imported through trade routes Copper mines in Rajasthan (historically) Imported copper Local metal workshops Mines in Himalayan region (historical) Mines in Karnataka and neighboring states Local mines or imported Imported from Europe during colonial period Singhbhum belt Local copper mines Recycled metal Artisan workshops Mines in Southern Tibet specific Indian copper mines Copper mines in Tibet and surrounding regions Mines in Rajasthan Imported from India or China Rangpo (Sikkim) specific mining regions Malanjkhand Copper Project, Madhya Pradesh Khetri Copper Belt, Rajasthan Copper mines in Rajasthan and Karnataka Copper mines in Rajasthan, Jharkhand, and other regions Specific copper mines in Rajasthan Copper mines in Rajasthan Recycled copper Imported copper from Southeast Asia Copper mines in India Metal workshops in Tamil Nadu Smelting facilities in Tamil Nadu Specific copper ore deposits historical copper mines Imported from copper mines in Rajasthan and Jharkhand Ancient copper smelting sites |
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Properties
| Properties | Density: 8.96 g/cm³ Melting point: 1085 °C Tensile strength: 220 MPa Thermal conductivity: 401 W/(m·K) Tensile strength: 200-250 MPa Melting point: 1085°C Thermal conductivity: 401 W/m·K Thermal conductivity: 401 W/mK Electrical conductivity: High Density: 8.96 g/cm³ (pure copper) Tensile strength: 220 MPa (pure copper) Melting point: 1085°C (pure copper) Density: 8.96 g/cm³, Melting point: 1085°C, Thermal conductivity: 401 W/m·K, Tensile strength: 210 MPa Density: 8960 kg/m³ Electrical conductivity: 5.96 x 10⁷ S/m Thickness (sheets): 0.5-1.0 mm Thermal expansion coefficient: 17 x 10⁻⁶/°C Tensile Strength: 220 MPa Melting Point: 1085 °C Thermal Conductivity: 401 W/mK High electrical and thermal conductivity Electrical conductivity: 5.96 × 10^7 S/m Melting Point: 1085°C Thermal Conductivity: 401 W/m·K Density: 8.96 g/cm³, Melting point: 1085°C, Tensile strength: 220 MPa, Thermal conductivity: 401 W/m·K High electrical conductivity High thermal conductivity Electrical conductivity: 5.96 x 10^7 S/m Thermal conductivity: 401 W/m.K Tensile strength: 220 MPa (annealed) Thermal expansion coefficient: 17 x 10^-6 /°C Tensile Strength: 210 MPa Density: 8.96 g/cm³, Melting point: 1085°C, Tensile strength: 220 MPa, High corrosion resistance, Thermal conductivity: 401 W/m·K Tensile strength: 210 MPa |
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Common Uses
| Uses | Roofing Statues Electrical wiring Decorative elements Piping Utensils Cladding Finials Roofing sheets Door fittings Hardware Lightning conductors Finials (Kalashas) Idols Finials (कलश - Kalasha) Decorative cladding Door cladding Kalashas Religious artifacts Pipes Plaques Door handles Ornamentation Electrical grounding Pots and pans Inscriptions Electrical wiring (modern additions) Decorative finials Electrical conduits Pots Plumbing Kalash (Finials) Rainwater gutters Decorative inlays Statuary Finials (Kalasha) Rainwater pipes Decorative panels Finials (Kalash) Kalasha Religious objects Ritual objects Doors Decorative details Electrical wiring (modern) Finials (stūpi) |
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Related Materials
| Materials | पीतल - Pītal (Brass) कांस्य - Kānsya (Bronze) सोना - Sonā (Gold) कांसा - Kānsā (Bronze) जस्ता - Jastā (Zinc) कांस्य - Kāṃsya (Bronze) लोहा - Lohā (Iron) चूना - Chunā (Lime Mortar) Lohā (Iron) पीतल - Pital (Brass) राँगा - Rāngā (Tin) कांस्य - Kansya (Bronze) सीसा - Sīsā (Lead) स्वर्ण - Swarna (Gold) Loha (Iron) Brass Bronze Solder पीतल - Pītal (Brass) (alloy with zinc) कांस्य - Kānsya (Bronze) (alloy with tin) टिन - Ṭin (Tin) Lead पीतल - Pītala (Brass) रांगा - Rāngā (Tin) வெண்கலம் - Veṇkalam (Bronze) தங்கம் - Taṅkam (Gold) பித்தளை - Pittaḷai (Brass) பித்தளை - Pitthalai (Brass) வெண்கலம் - Venkalam (Bronze) ஈயம் - Īyam (Tin) Bronze (alloy of copper and tin) Brass (alloy of copper and zinc) |
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Related Styles
| Styles | Temple architecture Sculptures Traditional Indian architecture style Colonial architecture style Rajput architecture style South Indian temple architecture Chola architecture style Nepali pagoda architecture Dravidian architecture style Nagara architecture style Kumaoni architecture Sculpture Kerala Temple Architecture All Indic architectural styles Traditional architecture Various Indian architectural styles Vijayanagara architecture style Tibetan Buddhist Architecture Metalwork Temple architecture style Temple Architecture Mughal Architecture Traditional Indian Architecture Regional architecture styles Temple architecture styles Mughal architecture style Katyuri style Tibetan Buddhist architecture Various Indian temple architectures Mughal architecture Himalayan Temple Architecture Regional metalwork Traditional Indian architecture Modern architecture South Indian Temple Architecture Rajput architecture Chola bronze sculptures Traditional Indian metalwork Kerala architecture style Gandhara art Buddhist architecture Nepali metalwork Tibetan Architecture Gupta architecture style Tibetan architecture style Himalayan architecture style Tibetan Buddhist Art Religious Architecture Chola bronze sculpture Domestic architecture Buddhist Art Hemadpanti architecture Maratha architecture Dravidian Architecture Nagara Architecture Dravidian architecture Chola bronze casting |
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Related Categories
| Categories | Temple Statue Utensil Palace Public Buildings Statues Utensils Kalasha Fort Sculpture Metalwork Monument Artifact Monastery Religious Art Palaces Sculptures House Residences Traditional Houses Stupa Roof Chariot Temples Roofs Gopuram Mandir Idols Roofing Decorative Art Religious Objects Idol Temple architecture Religious Structures |
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Conservation Notes
| Notes |
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Recommended Sources
| Title | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| The Copper Age in India | Archaeological Report | Copper artifacts |
| Archaeometallurgy of Copper in India | Academic Journal | Historical production and use |
| Copper: Its Trade, Manufacture, Use, and Environmental Status | Book | Copper properties and uses |
| National Museum Institute Publications | Technical Report | Metal conservation techniques |
| Indian Institute of Metals Journal | Journal Article | Metallurgical analysis |
| Metals in Indian Art and Architecture | Book | Copper usage in historical structures |
| Archaeometallurgy in India | Research Paper | Copper metallurgy in ancient India |
| National Metallurgical Laboratory Reports | Technical Report | Copper alloys and corrosion resistance |
| Indian Minerals Yearbook | Report | Copper production |
| ASI Technical Bulletin | Technical Report | Material analysis |
| Indian Journal of History of Science | Journal Article | Metallurgical analysis |
| Indian Institute of Metals Journal | Journal Article | Metallurgical analysis |
| Metals in Indian Art and Architecture | Book | Uses of copper in Indian structures |
| Metallurgy in Ancient India | Book | Analysis of copper artifacts |
| National Museum Conservation Institute Publications | Conservation Report | Copper conservation techniques |
| Archaeometallurgy of South Asia | Academic Publication | Copper metallurgy in ancient India |
| Copper Alloys in Indian Art | Journal Article | Composition and conservation |
| Copper Development Association Publications | Technical Guide | Copper applications |
| Indian Bureau of Mines Reports | Mining Report | Copper ore deposits and extraction |
| Indian Institute of Metals Transactions | Journal Article | Copper corrosion and preservation |
| Metallurgy Journals | Journal Article | Copper properties |
| Corrosion of Metals | Book | Corrosion mechanisms |
| The Art and Architecture of the Indian Subcontinent | Book | Details on metal usage in art |
| Archaeological Survey of India Reports | Archaeological Report | Copper artifacts |
| Indian Institute of Metals Publications | Journal Article | Copper metallurgy and applications |
| Archaeometallurgy studies | Research Paper | Analysis of copper artifacts |
| NML Technical Journal | Technical Report | Metal properties |
| Copper and its Alloys | Technical Report | Copper properties and applications |
| National Metallurgical Laboratory Reports | Research Report | Copper alloys and corrosion resistance |
| Metals in Indian Art and Architecture | Book | Details on copper usage and conservation |
| National Museum Conservation Institute Publications | Conservation Guide | Metal conservation techniques |
| Indian Institute of Metals Journal | Journal Article | Copper metallurgy and conservation |
Heritage Sites (1)
| Site Name | Status | Usage | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple Aranmula | Primary | 100% |