Selected historical quarries of India: an account

Gurmeet  Kaur

doi:10.21701/bolgeomin/137.1/012

Authors

Gurmeet Kaur Department of Geology, Panjab University https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5002-544X

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21701/bolgeomin/137.1/012

Keywords:

stones, historical quarries, monuments, India

Abstract

Diverse stones and rocks have played a crucial role in shaping the monumental architectural heritage of India. Sourced from historical quarries scattered across the Indian subcontinent, these rocks have served as a vital link to our rich past cultures and traditions. Each stone narrates a story, reflecting the craftsmanship and creativity of previous eras. Acknowledging the significance of these stones and the quarries is essential for celebrating and preserving our cultural legacy. By recognizing these stones and qaurries, we ultimately nurture a deeper appreciation for the cultural identity that has evolved over centuries. Indian subcontinent is well endowed with rocks like marble, basalt, sandstone, charnockite, granite, limestone, laterite, to name a few. Some of these stones are inherent part of well-known UNESCO World Heritage Sites, such as the Taj Mahal (Makrana Marble), Jaisalmer Fort (Jaisalmer Limestone), Elephanta, Ajanta and Elora caves (Deccan Basalt), the Qutb Minar complex (Alwar Quartzite), Group of monuments at Hampi (Closepet granite) and Konark Sun temple (Khondalite), Mamallapuram Shore Temple (Indian Charnockite), Basilica of Bom Jesus (Western Ghats Laterite) so on and so forth. Recently, seven stones from India viz. the Makrana Marble, the Jaisalmer Limestone, the Deccan Basalt, the Alwar Quartzite, the Himachal Slate, the Indian Charnockite and the Western Ghats Laterite have been recognised as ‘IUGS Heritage Stones’. This paper will focus on a few noteworthy stones and the ancient quarries that produced them.The significant architectural heritage crafted in these stones have experienced some deterioration as a result of anthropogenic and natural factors. As a result, it is crucial to retrieve stones from the historical quarries of these significant rocks for restoration work and to understand how quarrying practices have changed through time. It is important to conserve and preserve the historical quarries for posterity.

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