| Title | सुधालेप (Stucco)Moderate Sudhālepa Stucco |
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| Description | सुधालेप (Sudhālepa), translating to "lime plaster," is a composite material integral to Indic architecture since ancient times [1]. Traditionally, it's a lime-based material (चूना पलस्तर) composed of lime (Ca(OH)₂), sand (SiO₂), and water, sometimes incorporating additives like *surkhi* (brick powder) for pozzolanic properties. Density ranges from 1400-1800 kg/m³, with compressive strength between 2-7 MPa. Its high plasticity allows for intricate decorative moldings and relief work, common in Mughal, Rajput, and Vijayanagara periods. Sudhālepa's porosity (15-30%) allows breathability, crucial for heritage structures. Thermal conductivity is typically 0.6-0.9 W/mK. Conservation involves careful cleaning and re-application of compatible lime-based mortars, respecting the original *lepa* (coating). Traditional sources for lime included limestone quarries across the Indian subcontinent. Durability is affected by water ingress and salt crystallization, requiring regular maintenance. The material was used extensively in wall finishes, ceiling coatings, and sculptural ornamentation. |
| Also Known As | Stucco Sudhālepa Stucco Plaster Lime plaster सुधालेप पलस्तर लेप चूना पलस्तर சுதைப்பூச்சு (Sutaipūccu) సున్నపు పూత (Sunnapu pūta) சுண்ணாம்பு சாந்து (Chunnambu santhu) ಸುಣ್ಣದ ಗಾರೆ (Sunnada gāre) |
| Tags | stucco Stucco Plaster Decoration चूना पलस्तर Chunā Palastar Lime पलस्तर Palastar Coating Finish Render Decorative Cement Sand Molding प्लास्टर Plāstar Gypsum Plastering Relief लेप Lepa Clay Surkhi Lime Plaster Kizil Caves Xinjiang Mural Kuqa Ming-Öy Gach Mortar Marble Dust Ornamentation Lēpa सुधालेप Sudhālepa सुधा Sudhā Dambulla Rendering Sculpture Gandhara Chuna |
| Material ID | INHFMAT-908643981-20-11-25-SC |
| URI | https://www.inheritage.foundation/aat/material/stucco |
| API Endpoint | https://www.inheritage.foundation/api/v1/aat/materials/stucco |
| Total Sites | 24 |
| Primary Sites | 14 |
| Created | November 20, 2025 |
| Last Updated | November 28, 2025 |
External References
Material Types
| Types | Plaster Coating Cementitious Material Lime-based Material Mortar Decorative Material Render Lime Plaster Clay Plaster Composite Material Decorative Finish Gypsum Plaster Composite |
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Regions
| Regions | Rajasthan Uttar Pradesh Gujarat Pan-Indian (Modern) Global Pan-Indian Tamil Nadu Bamiyan Province, Afghanistan Xinjiang Central Asia Surxondaryo Region, Uzbekistan Gandhara region Kushan territories Andhra Pradesh widespread Pan-India Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region Sri Lanka India Gandhara Kabul region, Afghanistan Throughout India Northwestern India Kabul region |
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Historical Context
| Time Periods | Mughal Period Colonial Period Rajput Period 20th Century CE 21st Century CE Ancient times Medieval Period CE Mughal Period CE Rajput Period CE Chola Period CE Mughal Period CE - Present Chola Period Modern times Modern Mughal Period (1526-1857 CE) Rajput Period (7th-18th century CE) Mughal Period (16th-19th century CE) Rajput Period (8th-18th century CE) 6th-7th century CE Gupta Period CE Vijayanagara Period CE Gupta Period 4th-8th century CE 6th-8th century CE Vijayanagara Period Gupta Period (320-550 CE) Rajput Period (7th-18th Century CE) Ancient Period Mughal Period (16th-18th century CE) 4th-5th century CE Ancient times - Present 3rd century BCE Ancient Medieval 2nd-5th century CE 1st-3rd century CE Medieval Period Kushan Period (1st-5th century CE) Vijayanagara Empire 2nd-7th century CE 2nd century CE |
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| Dynasties | Mughal Rajput Chola Likely local rulers under Kushan influence Vijayanagara Gupta Kucha Kingdom Solanki British Kushan Nizam Maurya Regional Dynasties Gupta Dynasty Rajput Dynasties Mughal Dynasty Anuradhapura Kingdom Polonnaruwa Kingdom Mauryan Chola Dynasty Chalukya Kushan Dynasty Nayaka |
Geographic Sources
| Sources | Lime kilns Gypsum mines Local lime kilns Marble quarries Cement factories (various locations) Lime kilns (various locations) Sand quarries Local sources Sand quarries (various locations) Local building material suppliers Specific geographic sources Local lime sources Marble dust from Makrana mines specific geographic sources Local gypsum mines Clay deposits near Bamiyan River River sand deposits Brick kilns for surkhi Sand deposits near Kizil River sand Locally sourced lime and aggregates Specific regional sources for additives Surkhi production sites specific regional sources Riverbeds for sand Lime quarries Cement factories Lime kilns, gypsum mines Sand deposits Brick kilns (for surkhi) Lime kilns near limestone deposits Local lime sources and sand deposits near Qala-i Khumb Clay deposits near Hadda Gypsum deposits Local water sources Locally sourced lime and sand Locally sourced lime Sand from riverbeds Riverbeds (for sand) |
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Properties
| Properties | Variable compressive strength Good adhesion Can be molded and shaped Smooth finish Compressive strength: 2-5 MPa Porosity: 20-30% Thermal conductivity: 0.8-1.2 W/mK Thickness: 5-20mm Compressive strength: 5-10 MPa Density: 1600-1800 kg/m³ Water absorption: 10-15% Density: 1500-1800 kg/m³ Thermal conductivity: 0.7-1.0 W/mK Water permeability: Variable Density: 1.5-1.8 g/cm³ Thermal conductivity: 0.8 W/m·K Compressive strength: Varies Density: Varies Porosity: Varies Adhesion strength: Varies Thermal conductivity: 0.8 W/mK Adhesion strength: 0.1-0.3 MPa Porosity: High Thermal conductivity: Low Porosity: 20-40% Density: 1.4-1.8 g/cm³ Good adhesion to substrate Density: 1.4-1.7 g/cm³ Compressive strength: 2-5 MPa (cement-based) Water permeability: Varies with composition Adhesion strength: Varies with substrate Adhesion: Good Compressive strength: 2-7 MPa Porosity: 15-30% Surface hardness: Moderate Thermal conductivity: 0.7-0.9 W/mK Water absorption: 15-25% Compressive strength: 1-5 MPa Adhesion strength: 0.1-0.5 MPa Thermal conductivity: 0.4-0.8 W/mK Fine texture High plasticity Low shrinkage Water absorption: 20-30% Density: 1.7-2.0 g/cm³ Thermal expansion: 10-12 x 10^-6/°C Density: 1400-1700 kg/m³ Compressive Strength: 2-5 MPa Thermal Conductivity: 0.8-1.0 W/mK Water Absorption: High Porosity: 15-25% Density: 1.8-2.0 g/cm³ Adhesion strength: 0.2-0.4 MPa Thermal conductivity: 0.8-1.0 W/mK Thermal conductivity: 0.8-1.1 W/mK Water permeability: High Adhesion strength: 0.5-1 MPa Water absorption: 5-15% Thermal expansion: 10-14 x 10^-6 /°C Adhesion strength: Variable Porosity: 25-40% Thermal conductivity: 0.4-0.6 W/mK Variable composition Compressive strength: 2-6 MPa Water permeability: Low Compressive strength: 3-6 MPa High polishability Low water absorption Density: 1700-2000 kg/m³ Fine grain texture Thermal expansion coefficient: 10-12 x 10⁻⁶/°C Breathable Can be pigmented Fine grain size Can be polished to a smooth finish Compressive strength: 3-7 MPa Smooth texture Water Absorption: 15-25% Thickness: 2-5 mm per layer Thermal conductivity: 0.6-0.8 W/mK Adhesion strength: Varies depending on composition Density: 1400-1800 kg/m³ Water absorption: 10-25% Thermal conductivity: 0.5-0.8 W/mK Density: 1.5-1.7 g/cm³ Lime to sand ratio: 1:1 to 1:3 Thermal expansion coefficient: 10-14 x 10^-6 /°C Density: 1400-1600 kg/m³ Tensile strength: 0.5-1.5 MPa Tensile strength: 0.5-1 MPa Composition: Ca(OH)2, SiO2, CaSO4·2H2O Composition: Lime, sand, water Thermal conductivity: 0.6-0.9 W/mK Adhesion strength: Moderate Workability: High Compressive strength: Estimated 2-5 MPa Porosity: Estimated 20-30% Adhesion strength: Requires testing Compressive strength: 1-3 MPa Water absorption: 10-20% |
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Common Uses
| Uses | Decorative moldings Wall finishes Ceiling finishes Ornamental details Decorative coatings Sculptural elements Exterior wall coating Interior wall finish Ceiling finish Exterior wall finish Textured coatings Wall coatings Ceiling coatings Interior finishes Exterior finishes Decorative finishes Creating relief patterns Wall coating Decorative finish Ceiling decoration Sculptural ornamentation Exterior rendering Relief sculptures Ceiling ornamentation Exterior cladding Sculptural details Wall finish Ceiling coating Relief work Ornamentation Relief carvings Surface coating for walls Modeling sculptural details Creating smooth surfaces for painting Decorative reliefs Surface preparation for paintings Modeling Decorative elements Creating smooth surfaces Base layer for paintings Surface preparation Exterior ornamentation Wall finishing Ceiling finishing Wall plaster Surface preparation for painting Protective layer Wall panels Surface finishing Ceiling plaster Sculptural coatings Surface finishes Wall rendering Sculptural modeling Surface coatings Protective coatings Decorative mouldings Protective layer on walls Decorative wall finishes Wall plastering |
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Related Materials
| Materials | चूना - Chunā (Lime Mortar) Gypsum Pigments सुरखी - Surkhi (Brick Dust) कंकड़ - Kankar (Lime Nodules) सीमेंट - Seement (Cement) चूना - Chunā (Lime) रेत - Ret (Sand) सीमेंट - Cement (Cement) अंडा - Anda (Aggregate) गोबर - Gobar (Cow Dung) Sand Pigments (for coloring) जिप्सम - Jipsam (Gypsum) Marble dust रेती - Retī (Sand) Marble Dust Kāshtha (Wood) संगमरमर धूल - Sangamaramar dhool (Marble Dust) बजरी - Bajri (Gravel) संगमरमर - Sangamarmar (Marble) जिप्सम - Jipsama (Gypsum) मृत्तिका - Mrittikā (Clay) काष्ठ - Kāshtha (Wood) for armatures गोंद - Gond (Gum Resin) गोमय - Gomaya (Cow Dung) Rang (Paint) Clay बालू - Bālū (Sand) रंग - Ranga (Paint) Plant fibers (jute, hemp) रंग - Rang (Pigments) कषाय - Kashāya (Plant Extracts) Kāshtha (Wood) for scaffolding संगमरमर - Sangamarmar (Marble Dust) पानी - Pānī (Water) रंग - Raṅga (Pigments) रेत - Rēta (Sand) Plant fibers बालू - Balu (Sand) कपालिका चूर्ण - Kapālikā Churna (Terracotta Powder) Kāshtha (Wood) for armatures Bajri (Sand) कपालिका - Kapālikā (Crushed Shells) जल - Jala (Water) बालू - Bālu (Sand) Chunā (Lime Mortar) Surkhi (Brick Dust) Gomaya (Cow Dung) कषाय - Kashāya (Herbal Additives) कंकड़ - Kankar (Kankar) Bajri (Fine Gravel) रेती - Reti (Sand) |
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Related Styles
| Styles | Indo-Islamic architecture Colonial architecture Rajput architecture Modern architecture Contemporary architecture Rajput architecture style Mughal architecture style Various Chola architecture style Chola architecture Classical architecture Mughal architecture Indo-Islamic architecture style Colonial architecture style Gandhara style Gupta architecture Vijayanagara architecture Kucha Buddhist Art Silk Road Art Cave art Buddhist art Gujarati architecture Indo-Saracenic architecture Buddhist cave architecture Vernacular architecture Gandhara art style South Indian temple architecture Gandhara art Kushan architecture Various architectural styles Gandhara architecture Sri Lankan architecture Indian temple architecture Early Buddhist architecture Greco-Buddhist art Classical Indian architecture Mural paintings Kushan art |
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Related Categories
| Categories | Temple decoration Palace decoration Palace Mausoleum Temple House Temple (modern) Community Hall Residential Residential Buildings Haveli Tomb Mandir construction Residential construction Mosque Palaces Mosques Tombs Monastery Sculpture Fort Temples Cave Paintings Sculptures Cave Temple Mural Painting Residential buildings Public buildings Archaeological Site Cave Residential architecture Havelis Stupa Havelī Residential structures Vihara Relief Architectural Ornamentation Caves |
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Conservation Notes
| Notes |
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Recommended Sources
| Title | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Conservation of Stucco | Article | Technical guidelines |
| Traditional Building Materials of India | Book | Lime plaster techniques |
| CPWD Specifications | Government Standard | Plastering specifications |
| Relevant IS codes for plastering | Indian Standard | Specifications for plastering materials and application |
| Traditional Building Materials of India | Book | Stucco recipes and techniques |
| Traditional Plastering Techniques in India | Article | Details on stucco composition and application |
| ASI Conservation Manual | Technical Report | Plaster conservation |
| Traditional Indian Plasters | Research Paper | Stucco composition and application |
| Traditional Plastering Techniques | Conservation Manual | Application and repair |
| Relevant building codes for plastering | Code | Local building codes |
| Stucco and Decorative Plasterwork in Europe | Book | Techniques and conservation |
| Traditional Indian Plasters: A Technical Study | Research Paper | Composition and properties of Indian stucco |
| Traditional Plastering Techniques | Conservation Guide | Application and repair methods |
| Traditional Plasters of India | Technical Report | Composition and application techniques |
| Conservation of Stucco | Conservation Guide | Techniques for preserving stucco finishes |
| Conservation of Historic Buildings | Book | Stucco conservation techniques |
| Stucco Conservation Handbook | Manual | Conservation techniques |
| Traditional Indian Plasters | Journal Article | Composition and application techniques |
| Traditional Indian Plasters and Stuccos | Technical Report | Composition and conservation techniques |
| Traditional Plasters of India | Technical Report | Composition and application of traditional Indian plasters |
| Stucco Techniques in Indian Architecture | Journal Article | Historical techniques |
| Traditional Indian Plasters and Finishes | Technical Report | Composition, application, and conservation |
| Building Limes: Properties, Specifications and Performance | Book | Stucco composition and application |
| Mughal Stucco Techniques | Article | Analysis of stucco composition and application |
| Conservation of Decorative Plaster | Technical Report | Repair techniques |
| Lime Plasters for Historic Buildings | Technical Guide | Stucco composition and conservation |
| Traditional Indian Plasters and Finishes | Article | Stucco techniques |
| Shilpa Shastras | Ancient Texts | Traditional building techniques |
| Mughal Stucco Techniques | Historical Document | Stucco application methods |
| ASI Technical Bulletin | Technical Report | Material analysis |
| Traditional Plasters of India | Technical Report | Composition and application techniques |
| Traditional Indian Plasters | Technical Report | Composition and application techniques |
| Traditional Indian Plasters: Materials and Techniques | Journal Article | Stucco composition and application |
| Lime Plasters in Historic Buildings | Technical Report | Stucco composition and application |
| Traditional Indian Plasters and Finishes | Technical Report | Composition and application techniques |
| Indian Plasters and Finishes | Technical Report | Composition and application techniques |
| Stucco in Indian Architecture | Journal Article | Techniques and materials |
| Indian Traditional Plasters | Technical Report | Composition and application of stucco |