Gemsofindology GoI
@gemsofindology.bsky.social
In Centre, busting both Raita and Lafda wingers coz they both hide truth. You can help me https://patreon.com/gemsofindology
CAG state‑level report (Madhya Pradesh, 2022) repeats the concern under a section titled “Use of cement in conservation wo
cag.gov.in/uploads/dow...
cag.gov.in/uploads/dow...
December 21, 2025 at 2:30 PM
CAG state‑level report (Madhya Pradesh, 2022) repeats the concern under a section titled “Use of cement in conservation wo
cag.gov.in/uploads/dow...
cag.gov.in/uploads/dow...
Src
CAG 2013 findings (Report No. 18 of 2013, Union) pg80
2022 follow‑up report (Report No. 10 of 2022)
2024 CAG performance audit (Report No. 9 of 2024, on archaeology in a state
CAG 2013 findings (Report No. 18 of 2013, Union) pg80
2022 follow‑up report (Report No. 10 of 2022)
2024 CAG performance audit (Report No. 9 of 2024, on archaeology in a state
December 21, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Src
CAG 2013 findings (Report No. 18 of 2013, Union) pg80
2022 follow‑up report (Report No. 10 of 2022)
2024 CAG performance audit (Report No. 9 of 2024, on archaeology in a state
CAG 2013 findings (Report No. 18 of 2013, Union) pg80
2022 follow‑up report (Report No. 10 of 2022)
2024 CAG performance audit (Report No. 9 of 2024, on archaeology in a state
Reform here is urgent.
Because time does not forgive incompatible materials.
Next: **#GemsOfASI #5 — Locked monuments, abandoned protection.**
**Previous:** #GemsOfASI #3 — Living temples vs dead monuments.
#UncropTheTruth #Decolonisation
Because time does not forgive incompatible materials.
Next: **#GemsOfASI #5 — Locked monuments, abandoned protection.**
**Previous:** #GemsOfASI #3 — Living temples vs dead monuments.
#UncropTheTruth #Decolonisation
December 21, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Reform here is urgent.
Because time does not forgive incompatible materials.
Next: **#GemsOfASI #5 — Locked monuments, abandoned protection.**
**Previous:** #GemsOfASI #3 — Living temples vs dead monuments.
#UncropTheTruth #Decolonisation
Because time does not forgive incompatible materials.
Next: **#GemsOfASI #5 — Locked monuments, abandoned protection.**
**Previous:** #GemsOfASI #3 — Living temples vs dead monuments.
#UncropTheTruth #Decolonisation
10/
Cement conservation is not vandalism.
It is 𝐝𝐨𝐜𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐚.
Until ASI formally enforces lime-based conservation, trains staff accordingly, and audits material choices—not just budgets—irreversible damage will continue under the label of “protection”.
Cement conservation is not vandalism.
It is 𝐝𝐨𝐜𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐚.
Until ASI formally enforces lime-based conservation, trains staff accordingly, and audits material choices—not just budgets—irreversible damage will continue under the label of “protection”.
December 21, 2025 at 2:30 PM
10/
Cement conservation is not vandalism.
It is 𝐝𝐨𝐜𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐚.
Until ASI formally enforces lime-based conservation, trains staff accordingly, and audits material choices—not just budgets—irreversible damage will continue under the label of “protection”.
Cement conservation is not vandalism.
It is 𝐝𝐨𝐜𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐚.
Until ASI formally enforces lime-based conservation, trains staff accordingly, and audits material choices—not just budgets—irreversible damage will continue under the label of “protection”.
9/
Once cement damage sets in, the options collapse:
• Removal damages original stone
• Retention accelerates decay
Either way, authenticity is lost.
This is how monuments survive structurally but die materially.
Once cement damage sets in, the options collapse:
• Removal damages original stone
• Retention accelerates decay
Either way, authenticity is lost.
This is how monuments survive structurally but die materially.
December 21, 2025 at 2:30 PM
9/
Once cement damage sets in, the options collapse:
• Removal damages original stone
• Retention accelerates decay
Either way, authenticity is lost.
This is how monuments survive structurally but die materially.
Once cement damage sets in, the options collapse:
• Removal damages original stone
• Retention accelerates decay
Either way, authenticity is lost.
This is how monuments survive structurally but die materially.
8/
Why does this persist?
Because cement repairs satisfy administrative checklists:
“Work completed.”
“Structure stabilised.”
“Funds utilised.”
Material science operates on decades.
Files operate on quarters.
Why does this persist?
Because cement repairs satisfy administrative checklists:
“Work completed.”
“Structure stabilised.”
“Funds utilised.”
Material science operates on decades.
Files operate on quarters.
December 21, 2025 at 2:30 PM
8/
Why does this persist?
Because cement repairs satisfy administrative checklists:
“Work completed.”
“Structure stabilised.”
“Funds utilised.”
Material science operates on decades.
Files operate on quarters.
Why does this persist?
Because cement repairs satisfy administrative checklists:
“Work completed.”
“Structure stabilised.”
“Funds utilised.”
Material science operates on decades.
Files operate on quarters.
7/
This is not a debate between traditions and modernity.
International conservation charters—including those followed in Europe—explicitly warn against incompatible materials in historic structures.
India knows this.
The manuals even say this.
Practice diverges from principle.
This is not a debate between traditions and modernity.
International conservation charters—including those followed in Europe—explicitly warn against incompatible materials in historic structures.
India knows this.
The manuals even say this.
Practice diverges from principle.
December 21, 2025 at 2:30 PM
7/
This is not a debate between traditions and modernity.
International conservation charters—including those followed in Europe—explicitly warn against incompatible materials in historic structures.
India knows this.
The manuals even say this.
Practice diverges from principle.
This is not a debate between traditions and modernity.
International conservation charters—including those followed in Europe—explicitly warn against incompatible materials in historic structures.
India knows this.
The manuals even say this.
Practice diverges from principle.
6/
The damage pattern is consistent across India:
• Stone spalling near cement joints
• Trapped moisture causing salt crystallisation
• Cracks forming where rigid cement meets flexible stone
• Loss of original surface detail
These effects are 𝐢𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞.
The damage pattern is consistent across India:
• Stone spalling near cement joints
• Trapped moisture causing salt crystallisation
• Cracks forming where rigid cement meets flexible stone
• Loss of original surface detail
These effects are 𝐢𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞.
December 21, 2025 at 2:30 PM
6/
The damage pattern is consistent across India:
• Stone spalling near cement joints
• Trapped moisture causing salt crystallisation
• Cracks forming where rigid cement meets flexible stone
• Loss of original surface detail
These effects are 𝐢𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞.
The damage pattern is consistent across India:
• Stone spalling near cement joints
• Trapped moisture causing salt crystallisation
• Cracks forming where rigid cement meets flexible stone
• Loss of original surface detail
These effects are 𝐢𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞.
5/
Post-Independence, this practice continued.
Despite ASI’s own guidelines acknowledging lime as the preferred material, cement repairs became routine—because they are:
• Faster
• Cheaper upfront
• Easier to supervise bureaucratically
Short-term fixes replaced long-term care.
Post-Independence, this practice continued.
Despite ASI’s own guidelines acknowledging lime as the preferred material, cement repairs became routine—because they are:
• Faster
• Cheaper upfront
• Easier to supervise bureaucratically
Short-term fixes replaced long-term care.
December 21, 2025 at 2:30 PM
5/
Post-Independence, this practice continued.
Despite ASI’s own guidelines acknowledging lime as the preferred material, cement repairs became routine—because they are:
• Faster
• Cheaper upfront
• Easier to supervise bureaucratically
Short-term fixes replaced long-term care.
Post-Independence, this practice continued.
Despite ASI’s own guidelines acknowledging lime as the preferred material, cement repairs became routine—because they are:
• Faster
• Cheaper upfront
• Easier to supervise bureaucratically
Short-term fixes replaced long-term care.
4/
British-era conservation manuals prioritised:
• Quick stabilisation
• Visual neatness
• Administrative closure
Cement fit that logic perfectly.
Long-term material compatibility was not the priority.
Control was.
British-era conservation manuals prioritised:
• Quick stabilisation
• Visual neatness
• Administrative closure
Cement fit that logic perfectly.
Long-term material compatibility was not the priority.
Control was.
December 21, 2025 at 2:30 PM
4/
British-era conservation manuals prioritised:
• Quick stabilisation
• Visual neatness
• Administrative closure
Cement fit that logic perfectly.
Long-term material compatibility was not the priority.
Control was.
British-era conservation manuals prioritised:
• Quick stabilisation
• Visual neatness
• Administrative closure
Cement fit that logic perfectly.
Long-term material compatibility was not the priority.
Control was.
3/
Cement behaves differently.
It is rigid.
It traps moisture.
It creates internal stress.
When cement is applied to lime-built stone, deterioration doesn’t stop.
It 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐲.
Cement behaves differently.
It is rigid.
It traps moisture.
It creates internal stress.
When cement is applied to lime-built stone, deterioration doesn’t stop.
It 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐲.
December 21, 2025 at 2:30 PM
3/
Cement behaves differently.
It is rigid.
It traps moisture.
It creates internal stress.
When cement is applied to lime-built stone, deterioration doesn’t stop.
It 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐲.
Cement behaves differently.
It is rigid.
It traps moisture.
It creates internal stress.
When cement is applied to lime-built stone, deterioration doesn’t stop.
It 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐲.
2/
Traditional Indian structures were built with 𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐞-𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬.
Lime breathes.
It expands and contracts with temperature.
It allows moisture to escape.
This is not folklore.
It is basic material science.
Traditional Indian structures were built with 𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐞-𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬.
Lime breathes.
It expands and contracts with temperature.
It allows moisture to escape.
This is not folklore.
It is basic material science.
December 21, 2025 at 2:30 PM
2/
Traditional Indian structures were built with 𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐞-𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬.
Lime breathes.
It expands and contracts with temperature.
It allows moisture to escape.
This is not folklore.
It is basic material science.
Traditional Indian structures were built with 𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐞-𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬.
Lime breathes.
It expands and contracts with temperature.
It allows moisture to escape.
This is not folklore.
It is basic material science.
Broken noses across temple sculptures.
You know whose signature this is.
/2
You know whose signature this is.
/2
December 21, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Broken noses across temple sculptures.
You know whose signature this is.
/2
You know whose signature this is.
/2
Original as available in chorfactory @britishmuseum
December 21, 2025 at 3:30 AM
Original as available in chorfactory @britishmuseum
POST 8/8
Final question.
If Paros and Carrara shaped “civilisation”,
why is Makrana treated as a quarry problem?
Marble built empires.
Mountains built marble.
Erase the mountain, and you erase history at its source.
Decolonisation begins at the quarry face. 🪨
#UncropTheTruth #Decolonisation
Final question.
If Paros and Carrara shaped “civilisation”,
why is Makrana treated as a quarry problem?
Marble built empires.
Mountains built marble.
Erase the mountain, and you erase history at its source.
Decolonisation begins at the quarry face. 🪨
#UncropTheTruth #Decolonisation
December 20, 2025 at 2:30 PM
POST 8/8
Final question.
If Paros and Carrara shaped “civilisation”,
why is Makrana treated as a quarry problem?
Marble built empires.
Mountains built marble.
Erase the mountain, and you erase history at its source.
Decolonisation begins at the quarry face. 🪨
#UncropTheTruth #Decolonisation
Final question.
If Paros and Carrara shaped “civilisation”,
why is Makrana treated as a quarry problem?
Marble built empires.
Mountains built marble.
Erase the mountain, and you erase history at its source.
Decolonisation begins at the quarry face. 🪨
#UncropTheTruth #Decolonisation
December 20, 2025 at 2:30 PM
—
POST 7/8
Marble was never neutral.
It marked gods, kings, tombs, power.
Who controlled marble controlled memory.
Rome knew it.
Greece knew it.
Mughals knew it.
Modern India?
Still debating whether hills deserve existence beyond 100 meters.
POST 7/8
Marble was never neutral.
It marked gods, kings, tombs, power.
Who controlled marble controlled memory.
Rome knew it.
Greece knew it.
Mughals knew it.
Modern India?
Still debating whether hills deserve existence beyond 100 meters.
December 20, 2025 at 2:30 PM
—
POST 7/8
Marble was never neutral.
It marked gods, kings, tombs, power.
Who controlled marble controlled memory.
Rome knew it.
Greece knew it.
Mughals knew it.
Modern India?
Still debating whether hills deserve existence beyond 100 meters.
POST 7/8
Marble was never neutral.
It marked gods, kings, tombs, power.
Who controlled marble controlled memory.
Rome knew it.
Greece knew it.
Mughals knew it.
Modern India?
Still debating whether hills deserve existence beyond 100 meters.
December 20, 2025 at 2:30 PM
POST 6/8
Science now exposes the lie.
Isotope analysis fingerprints marble sources precisely—Paros vs Pentelic vs Makrana.
Stone doesn’t lie. Textbooks do.
We can trace trade, choice, skill.
Yet policy still treats Aravalli marble as expendable rubble.
Science now exposes the lie.
Isotope analysis fingerprints marble sources precisely—Paros vs Pentelic vs Makrana.
Stone doesn’t lie. Textbooks do.
We can trace trade, choice, skill.
Yet policy still treats Aravalli marble as expendable rubble.
December 20, 2025 at 2:30 PM
POST 6/8
Science now exposes the lie.
Isotope analysis fingerprints marble sources precisely—Paros vs Pentelic vs Makrana.
Stone doesn’t lie. Textbooks do.
We can trace trade, choice, skill.
Yet policy still treats Aravalli marble as expendable rubble.
Science now exposes the lie.
Isotope analysis fingerprints marble sources precisely—Paros vs Pentelic vs Makrana.
Stone doesn’t lie. Textbooks do.
We can trace trade, choice, skill.
Yet policy still treats Aravalli marble as expendable rubble.