Nanak Shahi bricks

Nanak Shahi bricks ( ਨਾਨਕਸ਼ਾਹੀ ਇੱਟ ) were decorative bricks used for structural walls during the Mughal era.^[1]

Uses

This variety of brick tiles were of moderate dimensions and could be used for reinforcing lime concretes in the structural walls and other thick components. But, as they made mouldings, cornices, plasters, etc. easy to work into a variety of shapes, they were more often used as cladding or decorative material.

The Nanak Shahi Bricks were less than 3/4 in every dimension from the contemporary bricks used in India nowadays those are 9 × 4¼ × 2¾ inches

General specs

More often than not, the structures on which they were used, especially the Sikh temples (Gurudwaras),^[2] were a combination of two systems: trabeated and post-and-lintel, or based on arches. The surfaces were treated with lime or gypsum plaster which was moulded into cornices, pilasters, and other structural as well as non-structural embellishments.^[3] Brick and lime mortar as well as lime or gypsum plaster, and lime concrete were the most favoured building materials, although stone (such as red stone and white marble) were also used in a number of shrines.^[4] Many Fortress were built using such bricks^[5]

References

1. ^ Academy of the Punjab in North America
2. ^ Punjab Portal
3. ^ Ajit Weekly
4. ^ Historical Clue at Chamauker Bastion
5. ^ Fort at Mani Majra near Chandigarh's Fun Republic

External links

• Nanak Shahi Bricks
• Ancient Home of Baba Sohan Singh Bhakna,(of Ghadar Party fame) in trouble
• Viraasat Haveli frozen in Time