| Title | चूना पलस्तर (Lime Plaster)Rare Cūnā Palastar Lime Plaster |
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| Description | Chunā Plāṣṭara (चूना पलस्तर), or lime plaster, is a traditional binding material extensively used in Indic architecture from ancient times [1]. Primarily composed of lime (चूना), sourced from limestone quarries across the subcontinent, sand, and water, its chemical composition is predominantly calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)₂) [2]. The Mauryan, Gupta, Mughal, and Rajput dynasties employed it for wall plastering, ceiling finishes, and decorative stucco [3]. Processing involves calcination of limestone, slaking to produce lime putty, and mixing with aggregates. Surkhi (सुर्खी), powdered brick, is a common pozzolanic additive, enhancing strength and hydraulic properties. Typical properties include a density of 1.4-1.6 g/cm³, compressive strength of 1-4 MPa, and high porosity (20-40%), contributing to excellent breathability [3]. Its thermal conductivity ranges from 0.7-0.9 W/mK. Conservation of heritage structures necessitates careful analysis of existing plaster composition for compatible repair mortars. Traditional knowledge systems (शिल्पशास्त्र) guide appropriate material selection and application techniques [2]. |
| Also Known As | Lime Plaster Cūnā Palastar Lime Plaster Lime Mortar Calcium Hydroxide Plaster Hydrated Lime Plaster चूना पलस्तर चूना लिपाई सुर्खी चूना पलस्तर कली चूना पलस्तर खड़िया पलस्तर சுண்ணாம்பு சாந்து (Tamil) సున్నపు ప్లాస్టర్ (Telugu) ಸುಣ್ಣದ ಗಾರೆ (Kannada) சுണ്ണാம்பு சாந்து (Malayalam) |
| Tags | चूना Chunā Lime Plaster Mortar Surkhi Breathable चूना पलस्तर Chunā Palastar Lime Plaster Lime Wash Stucco Palastar Chūnā Coating Traditional चूना प्लास्टर Chunā Plāstar Sand Wall Ceiling Kamakhya Calcium Hydroxide Rajasthan Chuna Sudhalepa Sudhā Lepa Sudhālepa |
| Material ID | INHFMAT-178462091-20-11-25-CE |
| URI | https://www.inheritage.foundation/aat/material/lime-plaster |
| API Endpoint | https://www.inheritage.foundation/api/v1/aat/materials/lime-plaster |
| Total Sites | 2 |
| Primary Sites | 2 |
| Created | November 20, 2025 |
| Last Updated | November 28, 2025 |
External References
Material Types
| Types | Mortar Plaster Binding Agent Binding Material Coating Cementitious Material Lime Mortar Lime-based Material |
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Regions
| Regions | Bihar Rajasthan Uttar Pradesh Gujarat Tamil Nadu Haryana Madhya Pradesh Pan-India Pan India Pan-Indian Maharashtra Assam |
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Historical Context
| Time Periods | Mauryan Period (322-185 BCE) Gupta Period (320-550 CE) Medieval Period 3rd century BCE Medieval Period CE Ancient times Mughal Period 12th century CE 19th century CE Colonial Period 16th century CE 17th century CE Ancient Period Rajput Period 16th-17th century CE Mughal Period CE 18th Century CE 19th Century CE Rajput Era Modern Period Pre-Colonial Period CE Ancient times - Present Mughal Period (16th-18th century CE) Ancient Medieval Modern Rajput Period CE |
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| Dynasties | Mauryan Dynasty Gupta Dynasty Maurya Gupta Mughal Rajput Vijayanagara Chola Chauhan Dynasty Mughal Dynasty Rana Dynasty British Bundela Dynasty Mughal Empire All dynasties Mauryan Koch Dynasty Rajput Dynasties Maratha Various |
Geographic Sources
| Sources | Local limestone deposits River sand Lime kilns in Rajasthan Shell lime from coastal regions Limestone quarries Shell lime production Lime kilns using limestone deposits River sand deposits Local lime kilns Brick kilns for surkhi Sand deposits along rivers Specific regional sources Sand quarries along rivers Local limestone quarries Sand deposits Shell deposits Lime quarries Lime kilns Sand quarries Limestone deposits Local sand deposits specific regional sources Lime kilns using locally sourced limestone Sand quarries along riverbeds Local lime kilns using limestone deposits River sand from nearby riverbeds Brick kilns for Surkhi Specific lime producing regions Lime kilns (various locations) Sand quarries (various locations) Surkhi production sites Riverbeds (for sand) Brick kilns (for Surkhi) Local lime kilns, river sand deposits Shell lime sources |
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Properties
| Properties | Compressive strength: 2-5 MPa Porosity: 20-30% Density: 1400-1700 kg/m³ High breathability Water permeability: High Porosity: 20-40% Thermal conductivity: Low Thermal conductivity: 0.8 W/mK Thermal conductivity: 0.8-1.1 W/mK Breathability Density: 1.4-1.6 g/cm³ Breathability: High Flexibility Thickness: 5-15 mm Adhesion strength: 0.2-0.4 MPa Porosity: 30-40% Breathability: Excellent Density: 1.4-1.7 g/cm³ Thermal conductivity: 0.4-0.7 W/mK Compressive strength: 1-5 MPa Adhesion strength: 0.1-0.3 MPa Thickness: 5-20 mm Density: 1.3-1.6 g/cm³ Compressive strength: 1-4 MPa Density: 1.6-1.8 g/cm³ Thermal conductivity: 0.8-1.0 W/mK Thickness: 10-20 mm Adhesion strength: 0.2-0.5 MPa Thermal resistance Thermal conductivity: 0.7-1.0 W/mK Good adhesion to masonry Excellent workability Low compressive strength (2-5 MPa) Good adhesion Water absorption: 15-25% Porosity: 25-35% Water absorption: High Breathable and flexible Porosity: High Water vapor permeability: High Thermal conductivity: 0.7-0.9 W/mK |
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Common Uses
| Uses | Wall plaster Ceiling plaster Decorative moldings Waterproofing Decorative finishes Wall covering Ceiling covering Protective coating Ceiling finish Interior wall finish Exterior wall finish Wall finish Decorative plasterwork Protective coatings Decorative coating Wall finishing Ceiling finishing Wall plastering Ceiling plastering Waterproofing (with additives) Interior wall plaster Exterior wall plaster Base for fresco paintings Interior wall coating Exterior wall coating Decorative stucco Stucco Wall coating |
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Related Materials
| Materials | सुरखी - Surkhi (Brick Dust) बेलगिरी - Belgiri (Wood Apple) कत्था - Kattha (Catechu) बेल - Bel (Wood Apple) रेत - Ret (Sand) शिला - Shilā (Stone) कत्था - Kathā (Catechu) चूना - Chunā (Lime) Jaggery बालू - Bālū (Sand) चूना - Chunā (Lime Mortar) Bajri (Fine Aggregate) Guggulu (Resin) Kankar (Lime Nodules) शंख चूना - Shankh Chunā (Shell Lime) कंकड़ - Kankar (Lime Nodules) बेल फल - Bel Phal (Wood Apple) रेती - Retī (Sand) पानी - Pānī (Water) Guggulu (Gum Resin) बेल का शरबत - Bel ka Sharbat (Wood Apple Juice) बेल - Bel (Gum Arabic) Sand (aggregate) Jaggery (for improved workability) रेती - Reti (Sand) Jaggery (for improved setting) गुड़ - Gur (Jaggery) Sand बेल का गूदा - Bela kā gūdā (Bael Fruit Pulp) |
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Related Styles
| Styles | Mauryan architecture style Gupta architecture style Rajput architecture style Mughal architecture style Vernacular architecture style Mughal architecture Rajput architecture Vernacular architecture Indo-Islamic architecture Indo-Nepalese architecture Colonial architecture style Traditional Indian architecture Indo-Islamic architecture style Dravidian architecture style Traditional architecture Assamese architecture Shekhawati architecture Maratha architecture style Modern Indian Temple Architecture Traditional Indian architecture style |
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Related Categories
| Categories | Residential Buildings Palaces Temples Temple Palace Fort Residential buildings Domestic Architecture House Residential Wall Plaster Haveli Havelis Forts Temple interiors Palace interiors Mosque Havelī |
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Conservation Notes
| Notes |
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Recommended Sources
| Title | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional Lime Plasters of India | Technical Report | Composition and application techniques |
| Traditional Indian Lime Plasters | Technical Report | Composition, application, and conservation |
| Traditional Indian Lime Mortars | Technical Report | Composition and application |
| Traditional Indian Plasters | Article | Composition and application techniques |
| Traditional Indian Lime Plasters | Technical Report | Composition and application techniques |
| Traditional Plastering Techniques in India | Book | Details on lime plaster composition and application |
| Lime and Limestone: Chemistry and Technology, 2nd Edition | Book | Lime plaster properties and application |
| ASI Technical Bulletin | Technical Report | Lime plaster analysis and conservation |
| Traditional Plasters of India | Research Paper | Composition and application techniques |
| Lime and Lime Mortars | Book | Composition and application |
| ASI Technical Bulletin | Technical Report | Material analysis |
| CPWD Handbook | Technical Manual | Plastering techniques |
| Traditional Indian Lime Plasters | Technical Report | Composition and application |
| Traditional Indian Plasters | Technical Report | Lime plaster recipes |
| Traditional Indian Lime Plaster Techniques | Technical Manual | Plaster application and repair |
| Traditional Building Materials of India | Book | Lime plaster techniques |
| Traditional Indian Lime Plaster | Article | Technical details |
| Lime and Limestone: Chemistry and Technology, 2nd Edition | Book | Technical properties of lime |
| Traditional Lime Plastering Techniques | Technical Report | Lime plaster application |
| ASI Technical Bulletin | Technical Report | Material analysis |
| ASI Technical Bulletin | Technical Report | Material analysis |
| Traditional Indian Lime Plasters | Article | Composition and application |
| Lime Plastering Techniques | Manual | Application methods |
Heritage Sites (2)
| Site Name | Status | Usage | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sri Kandaswamy Kovil Brickfields Kuala Lumpur | Primary | 100% | |
| Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple Singapore | Primary | 100% |