தங்கம் - Thaṅgam (Gold) | Inheritage Foundation Art & Architecture Thesaurus | Inheritage Foundation

Title	தங்கம் - Thaṅgam (Gold) தங்கம் Thaṅgam
Description	தங்கம் - Thaṅgam (Gold) is a precious metal known for its luster, malleability, and resistance to corrosion. Used for gilding, ornamentation, and decorative elements in temples and palaces. Symbolizes wealth and divinity.
Tags	सुवर्ण Suvarna Gold Gilding Metal Ornamentation Decoration Sonā सोना Ornament Precious Metal स्वर्ण Svarna Precious Svarṇa Swarna Plating सोने का पानी Sone kā Pānī Temple Mine Muktinath Tibet Kalasha Kolar தங்கம் Thangam Thaṅgam
Material ID	`INHFMAT-205718690-20-11-25-TL`
URI	https://www.inheritage.foundation/aat/material/gold
API Endpoint	`https://inheritage.foundation/api/v1/aat/materials/gold`
Total Sites	1
Primary Sites	1
Created	November 20, 2025
Last Updated	November 20, 2025

Material Types

Types	Metal Precious Metal Native Element Noble Metal Alloy Metallic Element Gold Alloy

Regions

Regions	Karnataka (Kolar Gold Fields - historical) Jharkhand (current mining) Karnataka Andhra Pradesh Karnataka (Kolar Gold Fields) Jharkhand Kerala Ancient India Pan-Indian Pan-India Kerala (alluvial deposits) Himalayan Region Tibet Used pan-India Tamil Nadu

Historical Context

Time Periods	Modern Period Chola Period (9th-13th century CE) Vijayanagara Period (14th-17th century CE) Medieval Period CE Ancient times Ancient Period Medieval Period Ancient Period BCE Ancient Times Modern Period CE Vedic Period Medieval Period CE onwards Vedic Period BCE 16th Century CE 18th Century CE Ongoing Gupta Period Vijayanagara Period 17th Century CE Chola Period Indus Valley Civilization Vijayanagara Empire Ancient Medieval 9th century CE 12th century CE
Dynasties	Chola Vijayanagara Vijayanagara Empire Maurya Gupta Rajput Kingdoms Mughal Empire Gupta Empire Chola Dynasty Mughal Fifth Dalai Lama's Reign Mauryan Pandya

Time Periods

Modern Period

Chola Period (9th-13th century CE)

Vijayanagara Period (14th-17th century CE)

Medieval Period CE

Ancient times

Ancient Period

Medieval Period

Ancient Period BCE

Ancient Times

Modern Period CE

Vedic Period

Medieval Period CE onwards

Vedic Period BCE

16th Century CE

18th Century CE

Ongoing

Gupta Period

Vijayanagara Period

17th Century CE

Chola Period

Indus Valley Civilization

Vijayanagara Empire

Ancient

Medieval

9th century CE

12th century CE

Dynasties

Chola

Vijayanagara

Vijayanagara Empire

Maurya

Gupta

Rajput Kingdoms

Mughal Empire

Gupta Empire

Chola Dynasty

Mughal

Fifth Dalai Lama's Reign

Mauryan

Pandya

Geographic Sources

Sources	Imported gold Recycled gold Hutti Gold Mines, Karnataka Trace amounts from alluvial deposits Kolar Gold Fields (Historically) Kolar Gold Fields (Karnataka) Hutti Gold Mines (Karnataka) Kolar Gold Fields Hutti Gold Mines Riverbeds Hutti gold mines Kolar gold fields Ramagiri Gold Field (Andhra Pradesh) Kolar Gold Fields (historically) Kolar Gold Fields (historical) Gold mines across the world Alluvial deposits in riverbeds Refined from ore Imported gold leaf Gold mines in Karnataka Hutti gold mines (Karnataka) Sonbhadra district (Uttar Pradesh) Imported gold bullion Sonbhadra (Uttar Pradesh) Mines in Eastern Tibet Metal workshops Sonapat Valley (Jharkhand) Kolar Gold Fields, Karnataka (historical) Sonbhadra, Uttar Pradesh Specific gold mines in Karnataka Sonbhadra gold deposits

Sources

Imported gold

Recycled gold

Hutti Gold Mines, Karnataka

Trace amounts from alluvial deposits

Kolar Gold Fields (Historically)

Kolar Gold Fields (Karnataka)

Hutti Gold Mines (Karnataka)

Kolar Gold Fields

Hutti Gold Mines

Riverbeds

Hutti gold mines

Kolar gold fields

Ramagiri Gold Field (Andhra Pradesh)

Kolar Gold Fields (historically)

Kolar Gold Fields (historical)

Gold mines across the world

Alluvial deposits in riverbeds

Refined from ore

Imported gold leaf

Gold mines in Karnataka

Hutti gold mines (Karnataka)

Sonbhadra district (Uttar Pradesh)

Imported gold bullion

Sonbhadra (Uttar Pradesh)

Mines in Eastern Tibet

Metal workshops

Sonapat Valley (Jharkhand)

Kolar Gold Fields, Karnataka (historical)

Sonbhadra, Uttar Pradesh

Specific gold mines in Karnataka

Sonbhadra gold deposits

Properties

Properties	Density: 19.3 g/cm³ Melting point: 1064°C Electrical conductivity: High Malleability: High Corrosion resistance: Excellent Melting point: 1064 °C Electrical conductivity: 45.2 x 10⁶ S/m Thermal conductivity: 317 W/mK Electrical conductivity: 4.52 × 10⁷ S/m Thermal conductivity: 317 W/(m·K) Electrical conductivity: 4.5 x 10⁷ S/m Electrical conductivity: 4.52 x 10^7 S/m High ductility High malleability Melting Point: 1064 °C Electrical Conductivity: High Malleability: Extremely high Electrical conductivity: 4.52 × 10^7 S/m Density: 19300 kg/m³ Electrical conductivity: 4.52 x 10⁷ S/m High electrical conductivity Excellent corrosion resistance Thickness: 0.1-0.2 μm (gold leaf) Thermal conductivity: High Thermal conductivity: 317 W/m·K Tensile strength: 120-190 MPa Malleability: Highly malleable Tensile strength: 120 MPa (pure gold) Density: 19.3 g/cm³ (pure gold) Electrical conductivity: 45.2 x 10^6 S/m Thickness (gold leaf): 0.1-0.2 μm Melting Point: 1064°C Tensile Strength: 120 MPa Electrical Conductivity: 45.2 x 10^6 S/m Tensile strength: 120 MPa Electrical conductivity: 45.2 × 10^6 S/m Density: 19,300 kg/m³ High malleability and ductility Electrical Conductivity: 4.52 × 10^7 S/m Malleability: Extremely malleable Tensile strength: 190 MPa Purity: 22-karat (91.67%) or higher Gold leaf thickness: 0.1-0.2 μm Tensile strength: 120-200 MPa

Density: 19.3 g/cm³

Melting point: 1064°C

Electrical conductivity: High

Malleability: High

Corrosion resistance: Excellent

Melting point: 1064 °C

Electrical conductivity: 45.2 x 10⁶ S/m

Thermal conductivity: 317 W/mK

Electrical conductivity: 4.52 × 10⁷ S/m

Thermal conductivity: 317 W/(m·K)

Electrical conductivity: 4.5 x 10⁷ S/m

Electrical conductivity: 4.52 x 10^7 S/m

High ductility

High malleability

Melting Point: 1064 °C

Electrical Conductivity: High

Malleability: Extremely high

Electrical conductivity: 4.52 × 10^7 S/m

Density: 19300 kg/m³

Electrical conductivity: 4.52 x 10⁷ S/m

High electrical conductivity

Excellent corrosion resistance

Thickness: 0.1-0.2 μm (gold leaf)

Thermal conductivity: High

Thermal conductivity: 317 W/m·K

Tensile strength: 120-190 MPa

Malleability: Highly malleable

Tensile strength: 120 MPa (pure gold)

Density: 19.3 g/cm³ (pure gold)

Electrical conductivity: 45.2 x 10^6 S/m

Thickness (gold leaf): 0.1-0.2 μm

Melting Point: 1064°C

Tensile Strength: 120 MPa

Electrical Conductivity: 45.2 x 10^6 S/m

Tensile strength: 120 MPa

Electrical conductivity: 45.2 × 10^6 S/m

Density: 19,300 kg/m³

High malleability and ductility

Electrical Conductivity: 4.52 × 10^7 S/m

Malleability: Extremely malleable

Tensile strength: 190 MPa

Purity: 22-karat (91.67%) or higher

Gold leaf thickness: 0.1-0.2 μm

Tensile strength: 120-200 MPa

Common Uses

Uses	Gilding Decorative accents Idol ornamentation Finials Gilding statues Covering sacred objects Decorative work Inscriptions Gilding of statues Decorative elements Offerings Ornamentation Statues Inlay work Decorative plating Idols Coins Inlay Idol decoration Architectural details Decorative inlays Finials (Kalasha) Gilding (स्वर्णपत्र - Svarṇapatra) Finials (कलश - Kalasha) Decorative Inlays Gilding of domes and statues Jewelry Gilding domes Kalasha finials Gold plating (सोने का पानी - Sone kā Pānī) on finials Decorative surfaces Roofing Gilding of idols Decorative ornamentation Inlaying Gilding (स्वर्ण पत्र - Swarna Patra) Kalasha (कलश) finials Temple finials Coinage Finials (Kalashas) Ornamentation of roofs Decoration of religious objects Gilding of domes Inlays Stupas Decorative details Religious objects Plating (लेपन - Lepana) idols Idol plating Kalasha Jewellery Religious icons Plating deities Finials (stūpi)

Uses

Gilding

Decorative accents

Idol ornamentation

Finials

Gilding statues

Covering sacred objects

Decorative work

Inscriptions

Gilding of statues

Decorative elements

Offerings

Ornamentation

Statues

Inlay work

Decorative plating

Idols

Coins

Inlay

Idol decoration

Architectural details

Decorative inlays

Finials (Kalasha)

Gilding (स्वर्णपत्र - Svarṇapatra)

Finials (कलश - Kalasha)

Decorative Inlays

Gilding of domes and statues

Jewelry

Gilding domes

Kalasha finials

Gold plating (सोने का पानी - Sone kā Pānī) on finials

Decorative surfaces

Roofing

Gilding of idols

Decorative ornamentation

Inlaying

Gilding (स्वर्ण पत्र - Swarna Patra)

Kalasha (कलश) finials

Temple finials

Coinage

Finials (Kalashas)

Ornamentation of roofs

Decoration of religious objects

Gilding of domes

Inlays

Stupas

Decorative details

Religious objects

Plating (लेपन - Lepana) idols

Idol plating

Kalasha

Jewellery

Religious icons

Plating deities

Finials (stūpi)

Related Materials

Materials	लाख - Lākh (Lac) राल - Rāla (Resin) चांदी - Chandi (Silver) ताम्र - Tāmra (Copper) चाँदी - Chandi (Silver) चांदी - Chāṃdī (Silver) तांबा - Tāṃbā (Copper) तांबा - Tāmbā (Copper) चूना - Chunā (Lime Mortar) चाँदी - Chāndi (Silver) चांदी - Chāndi (Silver) रंग - Rang (Pigments) लाख - Lākha (Lac) चांदी - Chāndī (Silver) Ratna (Gems) चाँदी - Chāndī (Silver) चूना - Chunā (Lime Mortar) (as a base for gilding) लाख - Lāksha (Lac) गोंद - Gond (Gum) ताम्र - Tāmra (Copper) (alloying element) पीतल - Pital (Brass) रत्न - Ratna (Gemstones) लाक्षा - Lākshā (Lac) ताम्र - Tāmra (Copper) (as an alloy) रत्न - Ratna (Gems) Copper Silver Gemstones வெள்ளி - Velli (Silver) பித்தளை - Pitthalai (Brass) செம்பு - Chembu (Copper) வெள்ளி - Veḷḷi (Silver) ரத்தினம் - Rattinam (Gems)

Materials

लाख - Lākh (Lac)

राल - Rāla (Resin)

चांदी - Chandi (Silver)

ताम्र - Tāmra (Copper)

चाँदी - Chandi (Silver)

चांदी - Chāṃdī (Silver)

तांबा - Tāṃbā (Copper)

तांबा - Tāmbā (Copper)

चूना - Chunā (Lime Mortar)

चाँदी - Chāndi (Silver)

चांदी - Chāndi (Silver)

रंग - Rang (Pigments)

लाख - Lākha (Lac)

चांदी - Chāndī (Silver)

Ratna (Gems)

चाँदी - Chāndī (Silver)

चूना - Chunā (Lime Mortar) (as a base for gilding)

लाख - Lāksha (Lac)

गोंद - Gond (Gum)

ताम्र - Tāmra (Copper) (alloying element)

पीतल - Pital (Brass)

रत्न - Ratna (Gemstones)

लाक्षा - Lākshā (Lac)

ताम्र - Tāmra (Copper) (as an alloy)

रत्न - Ratna (Gems)

Copper

Silver

Gemstones

வெள்ளி - Velli (Silver)

பித்தளை - Pitthalai (Brass)

செம்பு - Chembu (Copper)

வெள்ளி - Veḷḷi (Silver)

ரத்தினம் - Rattinam (Gems)

Related Styles

Styles	Maratha architecture style Modern Indian Temple Architecture Dravidian architecture style Vijayanagara architecture style Nagara architecture style Temple architecture Palace architecture Temple art Chola art Mughal art Temple architecture style Sculpture Rajput architecture style Kerala Temple Architecture Traditional Indian Architecture Tibetan architecture style Mughal architecture Gupta architecture style South Indian temple architecture style South Indian temple art Mughal jewelry Nepali Temple Architecture Himalayan Art Dravidian architecture Nagara architecture South Indian Temple Architecture Mughal Art Tibetan Architecture Himalayan architecture style South Indian temple architecture Chola architecture style Chola metalwork

Styles

Maratha architecture style

Modern Indian Temple Architecture

Dravidian architecture style

Vijayanagara architecture style

Nagara architecture style

Temple architecture

Palace architecture

Temple art

Chola art

Mughal art

Temple architecture style

Sculpture

Rajput architecture style

Kerala Temple Architecture

Traditional Indian Architecture

Tibetan architecture style

Mughal architecture

Gupta architecture style

South Indian temple architecture style

South Indian temple art

Mughal jewelry

Nepali Temple Architecture

Himalayan Art

Dravidian architecture

Nagara architecture

South Indian Temple Architecture

Mughal Art

Tibetan Architecture

Himalayan architecture style

South Indian temple architecture

Chola architecture style

Chola metalwork

Related Categories

Categories	Temple Mandir Statue Palace Idol Artifact Statues Temples Palaces Sculptures Monastery Ornament Jewelry Coin Sculpture Jewellery Kalasha Idols

Conservation Notes

Notes	Susceptible to tarnishing Requires gentle cleaning with soft cloths Avoid abrasive cleaners Susceptible to abrasion Requires gentle cleaning with soft brushes Potential for theft necessitates security measures Susceptible to theft Requires careful handling during cleaning Potential for damage from improper cleaning agents Requires careful handling Can be damaged by harsh cleaning agents Potential for theft Surface abrasion Loss of gilding Requires gentle cleaning Potential for galvanic corrosion with dissimilar metals Relatively inert, but can be damaged by abrasion or chemical attack. Requires gentle cleaning with non-abrasive materials. Loss of adhesion can occur in gilded surfaces. Resistant to corrosion Relatively resistant to corrosion Requires careful handling to avoid scratches Cleaning with mild detergents Relatively inert but can be damaged by abrasion Requires gentle cleaning with non-abrasive materials Theft is a major concern Tarnishing due to sulfur compounds Avoid harsh chemicals Vulnerable to theft Requires careful handling and secure storage Risk of theft necessitates security measures Susceptible to abrasion and scratching Requires careful handling and cleaning Relatively inert but susceptible to abrasion May require re-gilding over time Susceptible to abrasion and tarnishing. Requires gentle cleaning with non-abrasive materials. Potential for theft; requires secure storage. Relatively inert but susceptible to scratching Can be damaged by improper cleaning Protection from physical damage Susceptible to scratching Tarnish removal Requires gentle cleaning with soft materials Requires gentle cleaning with soft brushes and mild detergents Handle with care to avoid scratching May tarnish in polluted environments Protection from theft Risk of theft Relatively inert and resistant to corrosion

Notes

Susceptible to tarnishing
Requires gentle cleaning with soft cloths
Avoid abrasive cleaners
Susceptible to abrasion
Requires gentle cleaning with soft brushes
Potential for theft necessitates security measures
Susceptible to theft
Requires careful handling during cleaning
Potential for damage from improper cleaning agents
Requires careful handling
Can be damaged by harsh cleaning agents
Potential for theft
Surface abrasion
Loss of gilding
Requires gentle cleaning
Potential for galvanic corrosion with dissimilar metals
Relatively inert, but can be damaged by abrasion or chemical attack. Requires gentle cleaning with non-abrasive materials. Loss of adhesion can occur in gilded surfaces.
Resistant to corrosion
Relatively resistant to corrosion
Requires careful handling to avoid scratches
Cleaning with mild detergents
Relatively inert but can be damaged by abrasion
Requires gentle cleaning with non-abrasive materials
Theft is a major concern
Tarnishing due to sulfur compounds
Avoid harsh chemicals
Vulnerable to theft
Requires careful handling and secure storage
Risk of theft necessitates security measures
Susceptible to abrasion and scratching
Requires careful handling and cleaning
Relatively inert but susceptible to abrasion
May require re-gilding over time
Susceptible to abrasion and tarnishing.
Requires gentle cleaning with non-abrasive materials.
Potential for theft; requires secure storage.
Relatively inert but susceptible to scratching
Can be damaged by improper cleaning
Protection from physical damage
Susceptible to scratching
Tarnish removal
Requires gentle cleaning with soft materials
Requires gentle cleaning with soft brushes and mild detergents
Handle with care to avoid scratching
May tarnish in polluted environments
Protection from theft
Risk of theft
Relatively inert and resistant to corrosion

Recommended Sources

Title	Type	Notes
Gold in Indian Temples	Article	Analysis of gold usage and conservation in Indian temples
Geological Survey of India Reports	Technical Report	Gold deposits in India
Gold in Ancient India	Book	Historical use of gold in Indian art
Ancient Indian Metallurgy	Historical Research	Gold usage in India
Gold in Ancient India	Book	Historical uses and metallurgy
ASI Technical Bulletin	Technical Report	Material analysis
National Museum Institute Reports	Technical Report	Gilding techniques and conservation
Archaeological Survey of India Reports	Archaeological Report	Analysis of gold artifacts from temples
Archaeometallurgy Studies	Journal Article	Gold analysis in artifacts
National Museum Institute Conservation Reports	Technical Report	Gold conservation techniques
National Museum Conservation Institute Publications	Technical Report	Gold conservation
Indian Gold: Sources and Technology	Book	Historical use of gold in India
National Museum Conservation Reports	Technical Report	Gilding analysis
Archaeological Chemistry Journal	Journal	Analysis of gold artifacts
Gold in Ancient India	Book	Gold mining and usage in Indian history
Geological Survey of India Reports	Technical Report	Gold ore analysis
Gems and Jewellery in Ancient India	Book	Details on gold usage in jewelry
Archaeological Survey of India Reports	Technical Report	Gilding techniques and conservation
ASI Technical Bulletin	Technical Report	Gilding techniques
World Gold Council Publications	Technical Report	Gold properties and applications
World Gold Council Reports	Report	Gold properties and applications
Ancient Indian Metallurgy	Academic Publication	Use of gold in ancient India
Journal of Gemmology	Technical Report	Metal properties
Archaeological Chemistry	Academic Publication	Analysis of gold artifacts
Gold in Indian History and Culture	Book	Details on gold usage and symbolism

Heritage Sites (1)

Site Name	Status	Usage	Confidence
Kapaleeshwarar Temple Mylapore	Primary		100%