| Title | सुधालेप (Plaster)Rare Sudhālepa Plaster |
|---|---|
| Description | सुधालेप – Sudhālepa (Plaster) is a generic term for coatings used extensively in Indic heritage architecture from ancient times to the modern era, including चूना पलस्तर (Lime Plaster), often applied as a wall finish, ceiling finish, or protective coating. Traditional Sudhālepa compositions vary regionally, utilizing locally sourced materials. Key ingredients include चूना (Lime), derived from limestone quarries across the Indian subcontinent, रेत (Sand), and sometimes सुरखी (Brick Dust) [1]. The resulting composite material exhibits a density of 1400-1700 kg/m³ and compressive strength of 2-5 MPa for lime-based variants. Sudhālepa served to create smooth surfaces for paintings, protect masonry, and provide aesthetic enhancement. Traditional processing methods involved slaking lime and mixing it with aggregates. Durability depends on composition and environmental exposure. Conservation efforts at heritage sites, including those from the Mughal Period (1526-1857 CE) and Rajput Period CE, require careful analysis of original materials and techniques to ensure compatible repairs. Porosity and breathability are key properties for preservation. |
| Also Known As | Plaster Sudhālepa Plaster Lime Plaster Wall Plaster सुधालेप पलस्तर लेप चूना पलस्तर |
| Tags | पलस्तर Palastar Plaster Lime Gypsum Cement Coating Render Chunā Surkhi Sand Chuna Plastar Lime Plaster Mortar Kerala Rendering Mud Clay Munger प्लास्टर Plāstar Rajasthan लेप Lepa सुधालेप Sudhālepa |
| Material ID | INHFMAT-437821182-20-11-25-SD |
| URI | https://www.inheritage.foundation/aat/material/plaster |
| API Endpoint | https://www.inheritage.foundation/api/v1/aat/materials/plaster |
| Total Sites | 2 |
| Primary Sites | 1 |
| Created | November 20, 2025 |
| Last Updated | November 28, 2025 |
External References
Material Types
| Types | Coating Mortar Render Surface Coating Surface Finish Lime Plaster Gypsum Plaster Mud Plaster Cementitious Material Binding Material Clay Plaster Composite Material |
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Regions
| Regions | Rajasthan Gujarat Uttar Pradesh Bihar Pan-India Pan India Tamil Nadu West Bengal Haryana Pan-Indian Regional variations in composition Kerala Karnataka Punjab Maharashtra Assam Tripura Bengal |
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Historical Context
| Time Periods | Ancient Medieval Modern Medieval Period CE Ancient Times Modern Period Ancient times Modern times Mughal Period CE Rajput Period CE Ancient India Colonial Period Mughal Period 19th Century CE 20th Century CE Modern Era Ancient Period BCE Colonial Period CE Medieval Period British Colonial Period 18th Century CE Modern Period CE Sikh Empire Period CE Ancient Period 17th century CE Gupta Period (320-550 CE) Mughal Period (1526-1857 CE) |
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| Dynasties | Mughal Rajput Mauryan Empire Gupta Empire Mughal Empire All Maratha Maurya Gupta Cochin Royal Family Travancore Royal Family British Mughal Dynasty Sikh Ahom Dynasty Manikya dynasty |
Geographic Sources
| Sources | Local lime kilns Gypsum mines Cement factories Local sources of lime and aggregates Sand quarries Brick kilns (for Surkhi) Lime kilns Sand deposits specific geographic sources River sand deposits Gypsum mines in Rajasthan Local suppliers Local sources of lime, clay, and sand Brick kilns for Surkhi Brick kilns Riverbeds (for sand) Clay deposits Local clay deposits Local lime sources Local lime and sand deposits Local limestone deposits Brick kilns near Guwahati |
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Properties
| Properties | Compressive strength: varies with composition Adhesion strength: varies with substrate Porosity: varies with composition Thermal conductivity: varies with composition Thickness: 12-20 mm Compressive strength: 1-3 MPa Adhesion strength: 0.1-0.3 MPa Thermal conductivity: 0.8-1.2 W/mK Compressive strength: 2-5 MPa (lime plaster) Porosity: High (allows breathability) Adhesion: Good to masonry surfaces Composition: Lime, sand, Surkhi (optional) Variable compressive strength Porosity depends on composition Density depends on composition Thermal conductivity varies Density: 1.5-1.8 g/cm³ Compressive strength: 2-5 MPa Porosity: 20-40% Thermal conductivity: 0.8 W/m.K Density: 1400-1800 kg/m³ Porosity: 20-30% Compressive strength: 2-5 MPa (Lime Plaster), 5-15 MPa (Cement Plaster) Density: 1400-1700 kg/m³ Thermal conductivity: 0.7-1.0 W/mK Compressive strength: 2-5 MPa (Lime Plaster) Density: 1200-1500 kg/m³ (Lime Plaster) Thermal conductivity: 0.8 W/mK (Lime Plaster) Water permeability: High (Lime Plaster) Density: 900-1500 kg/m³ Thermal conductivity: 0.2-0.8 W/mK Water absorption: 10-20% Adhesion strength: 0.1-0.5 MPa Thermal conductivity: 0.5-0.8 W/mK Thickness: 10-20mm Adhesion strength: 0.5-1 MPa Composition: Lime:Sand ratio 1:2 or 1:3 Compressive strength: 2-10 MPa (depending on composition) Water absorption: Varies with binder Adhesion strength Lime plaster: Density: 1.2-1.5 g/cm³ Lime plaster: Breathable Gypsum plaster: Fast setting Cement plaster: High strength Compressive strength: 2-10 MPa Varies depending on composition Lime plaster: Breathable, lower strength Cement plaster: Higher strength, less breathable Water absorption: 15-25% Thermal conductivity: 0.8 W/mK Thickness: 10-20 mm (multiple layers) Adhesion strength: Variable, depending on composition Thermal conductivity: Low Water permeability: Moderate Adhesion strength: 0.2-0.5 MPa Thermal resistance: Low Breathability: High (Lime Plaster) Thickness: 10-20 mm Thermal conductivity: 0.5-1.0 W/mK Density: 1.4-1.7 g/cm³ Adhesion strength: Varies Adhesion strength: Varies with composition Water permeability: Low Compressive strength: 1-5 MPa Workability Adhesion Compressive strength Breathability Thermal conductivity: 0.8-1.1 W/mK Water permeability: High |
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Common Uses
| Uses | Wall coating Ceiling coating Decorative moldings Creating smooth surfaces Protection from weather Surface finishing Protection from weathering Aesthetic enhancement Creating smooth surfaces for paintings Decorative finishes Waterproofing (with additives) Protection of masonry Surface protection Stucco work Rendering Protection of underlying masonry Protection of underlying materials Wall finishing Decorative coating Waterproofing Surface leveling Protection against weather Wall rendering Ceiling finish Protective coating Wall finish Ceiling finishing Creating smooth surfaces for painting Protection from the elements Wall plastering Ceiling plastering Protection of substrate |
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Related Materials
| Materials | चूना - Chunā (Lime) सुरखी - Surkhi (Brick Dust) जिप्सम - Jipsam (Gypsum) सीमेंट - Sīmeṇṭ (Cement) पानी - Pānī (Water) रेत - Ret (Sand) चूना - Chunā (Lime Mortar) Sand Kāshtha (Wood) for scaffolding Gypsum गोंद - Gond (Resin) कंकड़ - Kankar (Lime Nodules) बालू - Bālu (Sand) Guggulu (Resin) रेत - Reta (Sand) मिट्टी - Mitti (Mud) रेती - Retī (Sand) Bajri (Aggregate) कत्था - Kathā (Catechu) बेल - Bel (Wood Apple) गोमय - Gomaya (Cow Dung) मिट्टी - Mittī (Clay) गोबर - Gobar (Cow Dung) बजरी - Bajri (Sand) गुड़ - Gur (Jaggery) मेथी - Methi (Fenugreek seeds) गुग्गुल - Guggul (Resin) |
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Related Styles
| Styles | Mughal architecture Rajput architecture Colonial architecture Nagara architecture style All styles of Indian architecture All Mughal architecture style Rajput architecture style Vernacular architecture style Vernacular architecture Traditional architecture Modern architecture Traditional Indian architecture Traditional Indian Architecture Dravidian architecture style Traditional Indian architecture style Colonial architecture style Indo-Islamic architecture Kerala architecture style Indo-Portuguese architecture Bengal architecture Indo-Islamic architecture style Sikh architecture style Ahom architecture Temple architecture |
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Related Categories
| Categories | Palace Haveli Temple Residential Buildings Fortifications Water Structures All House Residential Residential buildings Public buildings Pond Platform Fort Residential Building Temples Forts Traditional Houses Mausoleum Havelis Kund Palaces Residential architecture |
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Conservation Notes
| Notes |
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Recommended Sources
| Title | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Materials Handbook | Book | Plaster properties and applications |
| Plasters in Historic Buildings | Conservation Guide | Composition and repair |
| Lime Technology and Conservation | Book | Plaster analysis |
| Traditional Plasters of India | Book | Composition and application techniques |
| Building Materials and Construction Handbook | Handbook | Plaster types and applications |
| Traditional Indian Plasters | Article | Composition and application techniques |
| Traditional Plastering Techniques in India | Article | Application methods |
| CPWD Specifications | Standard | Plastering specifications |
| Traditional Building Materials of India | Book | Lime-Surkhi plaster composition and application |
| Traditional Mortars: Characteristics and Conservation | Book | Detailed information on traditional mortars |
| Plasters and Renders: A Practical Guide | Book | Application and conservation of plasters |
| Plasters, renders and mortars, by Alan Oliver | Book | Technical guide on plaster materials and application |
| Traditional Indian Plasters: Composition and Application | Journal Article | Analysis of traditional plaster recipes |
| Lime Plasters for Historic Buildings | Book | Detailed analysis of lime plasters |
| Traditional Indian Plasters | Technical Report | Composition and application techniques |
Heritage Sites (2)
| Site Name | Status | Usage | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gunabati Temples Udaipur Tripura | Primary | 100% | |
| Kamalasagar Kali Temple Kasba | Secondary | 100% |