| Title | काच (Glass)Rare Kāca Glass |
|---|---|
| Description | Kānch (काँच), or glass, is a silicate material, an amorphous solid [2] traditionally fabricated by fusing silica (बालुका), soda (क्षार), and lime (चूना). Its density ranges from 2.4-2.8 g/cm³, with a tensile strength of 40-80 MPa [3]. Archaeological evidence from sites like Taxila and Brahmagiri indicates glass usage in the Early Historic Period (600 BCE - 600 CE) for beads and bangles. The Mughal period saw extensive use of *darpan* (दर्पण), or mirrors, and decorative inlays. Traditional *kānch* production utilized silica sources from riverbeds and mines across the Indian subcontinent. The thermal expansion coefficient is approximately 8-9 x 10⁻⁶ /°C [3]. Conservation of *kānch* in heritage structures, like stained glass windows, requires careful cleaning and stabilization to prevent further degradation. Modern applications include windows, doors, and partitions, often utilizing soda-lime, borosilicate, or toughened glass [1]. Restoration efforts must consider the original composition and manufacturing techniques. |
| Also Known As | Glass Kāca Glass Pane Sheet Glass Crystal Vitreous material शीशा काँच दर्पण स्फटिक पारदर्शक वस्तु கண்ணாடி (Kaṇṇāṭi) గాజు (Gāju) ಗಾಜು (Gāju) ചില്ല് (Cillŭ) |
| Tags | काच Kāca Glass Silica Transparent Fragile Transparency Fragility Kācha Mirror Shisha Firozabad काँच Kān̄ca Soda-Lime Beads Silicate Decorative कांच Kānch Soda-Lime Glass Window Decoration Kanch Amorphous Stained Glass Soda Ash Lime Chandeliers |
| Material ID | INHFMAT-919719251-20-11-25-KS |
| URI | https://www.inheritage.foundation/aat/material/glass |
| API Endpoint | https://www.inheritage.foundation/api/v1/aat/materials/glass |
| Total Sites | 4 |
| Primary Sites | 4 |
| Created | November 20, 2025 |
| Last Updated | November 28, 2025 |
External References
Material Types
| Types | Silicate Amorphous Solid Soda-Lime Glass Borosilicate Glass Toughened Glass Silicate Glass Silicate Material Artificial Material Transparent Material |
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Regions
| Regions | Pan-India (Modern Construction) Gujarat Rajasthan Uttar Pradesh (historical) Pan-India (Modern) Taxila Brahmagiri Kolhapur Pan-Indian Pan-India Pan-Indian (Modern) Global Uttar Pradesh (historical glass production) Uttar Pradesh Maharashtra Punjab Manufacturing hubs in various states |
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Historical Context
| Time Periods | 20th Century CE 21st Century CE Mughal Period Medieval Period Early Historic Period (600 BCE - 600 CE) Medieval Period CE Mughal Period (1526-1857 CE) Modern Era Modern Period CE Medieval Period CE onwards Modern Period Mughal Period (mirrors) 19th century CE Mughal Period CE Sikh Empire Period CE Colonial Period 20th Century CE - Present Colonial Period CE Ancient times |
|---|---|
| Dynasties | Mughal Maurya Satavahana Rana Dynasty Sikh |
Geographic Sources
| Sources | Manufacturing plants Glass factories across India Imported from Europe (historical) Local manufacturing centers (Firozabad) Recycled glass Glass manufacturing plants across India Silica sand deposits Soda ash from plant sources specific geographic sources Glass factories in India Glass factories Imported glass products Firozabad (historical glass center) Imported from glass factories in India Imported from Europe Local glass workshops Local glass factories Firozabad glass industry imported from Europe Glass manufacturing plants |
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Properties
| Properties | Density: 2.4-2.8 g/cm³ Compressive strength: 1000 MPa Tensile strength: 40-80 MPa Thermal expansion coefficient: 8-9 x 10^-6 /°C Density: 2400-2800 kg/m³ Tensile strength: 40-80 MPa (annealed) Compressive strength: ~1000 MPa Thermal conductivity: 1.0 W/mK Refractive index: 1.5-1.9 Hardness: 5-7 Mohs Thermal expansion coefficient: 8-10 x 10⁻⁶ /°C Density: 2.5 g/cm³ Tensile strength: 40-70 MPa Refractive index: ~1.5 Hardness: 5-7 Mohs scale Thermal expansion coefficient: 8-9 x 10⁻⁶/°C Refractive index: 1.5 Thermal expansion coefficient: 8.5 x 10^-6 /°C Tensile strength: ~40 MPa Thermal expansion coefficient: 8-9 x 10⁻⁶ /°C Density: ~2.5 g/cm³ Tensile strength: 40-90 MPa Compressive strength: 1000+ MPa Refractive index: 1.5-1.9 (depending on composition) Thermal expansion coefficient: 9 x 10^-6 /°C Light transmission: 80-90% Thermal expansion coefficient: ~9x10⁻⁶/°C Transparency: High Compressive strength: 100-200 MPa |
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Common Uses
| Uses | Windows Doors Decorative elements Skylights Decorative panels Glass blocks Mirrors Window panes Glass mosaics Beads Bangles Decorative inlays Mirror fragments Vessels Stained glass Lighting fixtures Partitions Stained glass windows Chandeliers |
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Related Materials
| Materials | लोहा - Lohā (Iron) काष्ठ - Kāshtha (Timber) एल्यूमीनियम - Elyūminiyam (Aluminium) रबर - Rabar (Rubber) सिलिकॉन सीलेंट - Silikōn Sīleṇṭ (Silicone Sealant) चूना - Chunā (Lime Mortar) रंग - Rang (Pigments) धातु - Dhātu (Metal) - for frames एल्यूमिनियम - Elyūminiyam (Aluminium) स्टील - Sṭīl (Steel) Lohā (Metal) for tools चूना - Chunā (Lime Mortar) for setting inlays धातु - Dhātu (Metal) for frames रंग - Raṅg (Paint) एल्यूमीनियम - Aelumeeniyam (Aluminium) लकड़ी - Lakadee (Wood) लोहा - Lohā (Steel) लकड़ी - Lakḍī (Wood) धातु - Dhātu (Metal) पुट्टी - Puṭṭī (Putty) एल्यूमीनियम - Aloo-minium (Aluminium) चूना - Chunā (Lime) सीसा - Sīsā (Lead) सोडा - Soḍā (Soda) सिलिका - Silikā (Silica) Wood frames चाँदी - Chandi (Silver) सोना - Sonā (Gold) लाख - Lākh (Lacquer) सिलिकॉन सीलेंट - Silicon Sealant पीतल - Pītal (Brass) लाख - Lākh (Lac) |
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Related Styles
| Styles | Modern architecture Mughal architecture Indo-Islamic architecture Mughal architecture style (for decorative elements) Ancient Indian jewelry styles Modern Indian Architecture Colonial architecture Modern Architecture Indo-Islamic architecture (mirrors) Indo-Nepalese architecture Mughal architecture style Sikh architecture style Indo-European architecture style Indo-Saracenic architecture style European architecture style |
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Related Categories
| Categories | Public Buildings Residential Buildings Modern buildings Palace Mosque Artifact Temple (modern additions) Residential buildings Jewelry Decorative arts Archaeological artifacts Temple Residential Commercial Modern Construction Decorative Arts Modern temples Commercial buildings Buildings Fort Tomb Museum Residential Building Architectural elements |
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Conservation Notes
| Notes |
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Recommended Sources
| Title | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Glass Technology Journal | Journal Article | Glass properties and applications |
| Glass Technology Journal | Journal Article | Glass analysis and conservation |
| IS 2835:1987 | Standard | Flat Glass - Specification |
| Archaeological Glass: A Guide | Book | Details on glass analysis and conservation |
| Glass Technology Journal | Journal Article | Glass properties and conservation |
| IS 2553 (Part 1): 1990 | Indian Standard | Safety glass - Specification |
| Handbook of Glass Properties | Reference Book | Technical specifications |
| Glass Technology | Journal | Glass properties and manufacturing |
| Handbook of Glass Properties | Technical Manual | Glass composition and properties |
| Glass Technology: A Manual For The Glass Industry | Book | Technical guide on glass properties and manufacturing |
| The Technology of Glass | Book | Glass composition and properties |
| Handbook of Glass Properties | Reference Book | Comprehensive information on glass properties and applications |
| Journal of Glass Studies | Journal Article | Glass analysis and conservation |
| The Properties of Glass | Technical Handbook | Composition, manufacturing, and applications |
Heritage Sites (4)
| Site Name | Status | Usage | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| City Palace Udaipur | Primary | 100% | |
| ISKCON Temple Dimapur | Primary | 100% | |
| Marble Palace Kolkata | Primary | 100% | |
| Mata Lal Devi Mandir Amritsar | Primary | 100% |