An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c19.s6.5

v1.c19.s6.5

A study of the various brick sizes through the ages will show that large rectangular bricks were used in India. In the early medieval period while in w. Asia mostly square bricks were used the Byzantines used small rectangular thin bricks which were better suited to arches and domes where the brickwork had to be under tension. The potential tensile resistance of the individual units of brickwork can be developed by frictional forces induced or enhanced by a strong mortar at the horizontal bed-joints. This aspect along with the convenience of workmen to handle appear to have influenced the size of bricks of the later period. In corbelled constructions of the early period for compression and cantilever action thick large-sized bricks were needed. [Small-sized but well-baked *lakhauri* bricks came into use in Mughal times.]