कांच - Kānch (Glass) | Inheritage Foundation Art & Architecture Thesaurus | Inheritage Foundation

Title	कांच - Kānch (Glass) कांच Kānch
Description	Kānch (Glass) is a transparent or translucent amorphous solid material, typically made by fusing silica with soda and lime. Used for decorative purposes, windows, and mirrors. Composition varies, affecting properties.
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://inheritage.foundation/api/v1/aat/materials/glass`
Total Sites	4
Primary Sites	4
Created	November 20, 2025
Last Updated	November 20, 2025

Material Types

Types	Silicate Amorphous Solid Soda-Lime Glass Borosilicate Glass Toughened Glass Silicate Glass Silicate Material Artificial Material Transparent Material

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

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

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

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

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

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

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)

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)

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

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

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

Conservation Notes

Notes	Susceptible to cracking and shattering Requires careful handling Protect from impact Susceptible to cracking due to thermal stress Can be scratched easily Requires careful handling during installation Delamination in laminated glass Susceptible to scratching Chemical attack from alkalis Delamination Surface scratching Surface weathering Devitrification Cracking Requires careful cleaning and stabilization Susceptible to cracking Surface abrasion Chemical etching Susceptible to cracking and shattering upon impact Surface scratches can reduce transparency Chemical etching can occur with certain cleaning agents Fragile and prone to breakage Susceptible to surface scratching Requires careful cleaning methods Susceptible to surface scratching and etching Can be prone to thermal shock Requires careful handling during installation and maintenance Requires careful handling and cleaning Susceptible to scratching and cracking Laminated glass for safety Susceptible to cracking and breakage Requires careful handling during cleaning Use of compatible adhesives for repair Vulnerable to chemical attack Prone to delamination Requires careful cleaning Breakage Discoloration Surface scratches can be polished Stained glass requires specialized conservation techniques Cleaning with mild detergents is recommended Potential for shattering Susceptible to breakage Can be affected by alkali attack

Notes

Susceptible to cracking and shattering
Requires careful handling
Protect from impact
Susceptible to cracking due to thermal stress
Can be scratched easily
Requires careful handling during installation
Delamination in laminated glass
Susceptible to scratching
Chemical attack from alkalis
Delamination
Surface scratching
Surface weathering
Devitrification
Cracking
Requires careful cleaning and stabilization
Susceptible to cracking
Surface abrasion
Chemical etching
Susceptible to cracking and shattering upon impact
Surface scratches can reduce transparency
Chemical etching can occur with certain cleaning agents
Fragile and prone to breakage
Susceptible to surface scratching
Requires careful cleaning methods
Susceptible to surface scratching and etching
Can be prone to thermal shock
Requires careful handling during installation and maintenance
Requires careful handling and cleaning
Susceptible to scratching and cracking
Laminated glass for safety
Susceptible to cracking and breakage
Requires careful handling during cleaning
Use of compatible adhesives for repair
Vulnerable to chemical attack
Prone to delamination
Requires careful cleaning
Breakage
Discoloration
Surface scratches can be polished
Stained glass requires specialized conservation techniques
Cleaning with mild detergents is recommended
Potential for shattering
Susceptible to breakage
Can be affected by alkali attack

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	Confidence
City Palace Udaipur	Primary	100%
ISKCON Temple Dimapur	Primary	100%
Marble Palace Kolkata	Primary	100%
Mata Lal Devi Mandir Amritsar	Primary	100%