| Title | बंधनी रहित चिनाई (Dry Masonry)Rare Bandhanī Rahita Cināī Dry Masonry |
|---|---|
| Description | बंधणी रहित (Bandhanī Rahita), also known as शुष्क चिनाई (Śuṣka Cināī) or जोड़ रहित चिनाई (Joṛ Rahit Cināī), is a mortar-less masonry technique prevalent in Indic heritage architecture. Stability depends on gravity and friction between carefully dressed stones, often sourced from regional quarries [2]. Stone burins [1] were traditionally used for precise shaping. Geological origins vary, influencing compressive strength; granite, sandstone, and slate are common. High permeability allows drainage, mitigating hydrostatic pressure, crucial for retaining walls and foundations. The Maurya and Chalukya dynasties utilized this technique extensively. Durability depends on stone type and craftsmanship. Conservation involves careful stone replacement and drainage management to prevent destabilization. Flexibility allows for minor seismic adjustments. Restoration requires skilled artisans familiar with traditional methods. This technique is seen in fortifications, statue bases, and terracing across Rajasthan, Karnataka, and the Himalayan region. |
| Also Known As | Dry Masonry Bandhanī Rahita Cināī Dry Stone Walling Dry Stack Masonry Mortarless Masonry शुष्क चिनाई जोड़ रहित चिनाई रूखी चिनाई बंधनी विहीन चिनाई சுண்ணாம்புச் சாந்து பூசாத கட்டுமானம் (Tamil) పొడి రాతి కట్టడం (Telugu) ಬಂಧನ ರಹಿತ ಕಲ್ಲುಕುಸುರಿ (Kannada) വരണ്ട കല്ലുപണി (Malayalam) |
| Tags | Dry Masonry Stone Interlocking Construction Mortarless Walling |
| Material ID | INHFMAT-486810070-20-11-25-BM |
| URI | https://www.inheritage.foundation/aat/material/dry-masonry |
| API Endpoint | https://www.inheritage.foundation/api/v1/aat/materials/dry-masonry |
| Total Sites | 1 |
| Primary Sites | 1 |
| Created | November 20, 2025 |
| Last Updated | November 28, 2025 |
| Types | Construction Technique Masonry |
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| Regions | Rajasthan Karnataka Himalayan Region |
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| Time Periods | Ancient Medieval Period |
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| Dynasties | Maurya Dynasty Chalukya Dynasty |
| Sources | Local stone quarries |
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| Properties | High permeability Flexibility Interlocking dependent stability Compressive strength varies with stone type Gravity-dependent stability |
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| Uses | Retaining walls Terracing Foundations Statue bases Fortifications |
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| Materials | Stone Sand (for leveling) |
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| Styles | Vernacular Architecture Fort Architecture |
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| Categories | Fort Terrace |
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| Notes |
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| Title | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional Building Techniques of India | Book | Dry masonry details |
| Site Name | Status | Usage | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gomateshwara Statue Shravanabelagola | Primary | 100% |