In India, you must have seen several historic buildings like Qutub Minar, Red Fort, and Humayun’s Tomb multiple times.
Each palace, fort, and historic building has its own unique story, but they all share a common trait – their enduring strength. Despite being centuries old, they still stand strong.
The Early Days of Cement
Have you ever wondered what materials were used to build these structures in the absence of cement,
which we commonly use to construct homes today? Well, it’s quite different from what we use now. Let’s delve into the details.
The Usage of Cement in Ancient Times
The use of cement was first documented by an English scientist named Joseph Aspdin in 1824 in England.
He named his discovery “Portland cement” because it resembled the limestone found in Portland.
However, it’s important to note that before the invention of cement, historic buildings in India had already been constructed.
Taj Mahal’s Enduring Beauty
One of the most famous historic buildings in India and the world is the Taj Mahal. It may be centuries old, but its radiance remains unchanged.
Even back then, the builders didn’t use cement. So, what did they use to attach the marble stones and create its foundation? Let’s explore the techniques used.
Binding Marble Stones
Today, we have various techniques for attaching marble or bricks, but during ancient times, a unique material called “Saruj” was used for binding the stones.
Saruj was a mixture of fine clay, lime, sugar, lentils, resin, and jaggery.
Despite centuries of wear and tear, the Taj Mahal and other historic buildings in India continue to stand strong, facing earthquakes, storms, and the elements with grace.
Stone Adherence in Ancient Architecture
In the present day, the structures made with bricks or concrete have an average lifespan of 50 to 60 years.
However, in ancient times, the construction of palaces and forts relied on stone.
Stone has a longer lifespan compared to bricks or concrete, and it can withstand the elements like rain and sun.
In ancient times, to adhere stones for building palaces, forts, or any other structures, a mixture of animal bones, powdered chalk, tree bark, black gram powder, stone dust, bamboo, metal, and more were used.