Back Home1.5 Surkhi

Surkhi and other pozzolanic materials have a long history in traditional mortars and plasters. This chapter explores their relationship with lime and their use in buildings across India.

Learn about sources of surkhi, how it is prepared, how mixes are made and ground, and ways to assess material quality.

The lessons cover benefits, applications and limitations, with traditional examples, exercises and references for further learning.

What you'll learn

• Understanding surkhi: Ancient texts, traditional buildings, pozzolanic materials and what happens when they are added to a mix.
• Making and mixing: Sources of surkhi, preparing it on site, mixing it with lime and the effect of grinding.
• Testing and use: Quality tests, benefits, applications and limitations.
• Reflection and references: Conclusions, Jagrat and further learning.

This online course will give you a comprehensive understanding of surkhi. By the end of this course, you'll understand the mystery of surkhi that my people are searching for. With this knowledge, you'll be able to make your own surkhi and use it to improve your building experience.