RESEARCH DESK / SOURCES & CREDITS

A trail back to the source.

Read the publications behind the material guide and monument examples. The archive’s oral histories and photographs are curated by Reeva Chopra for Project Zinda Virasat Living Heritage.

INTACH Conservation Institute — Lime Research & Testing Centre

Indian lime, surkhi, material compatibility and the need for craft training.

Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings — Lime

The lime cycle, conservation uses and working with lime.

Historic England — Properties of Traditional Building Construction

Liquid water movement, evaporation and moisture buffering.

Historic England — Materials and Techniques

NHL 2, NHL 3.5 and NHL 5: strength classes and their limitations.

National Park Service — Repointing Mortar Joints in Historic Masonry Buildings

Compatible repair mortar and conservation practice.

Shivakumar, Selvaraj & Dhassaih — Organic Lime Putty, Scientific Reports (2021)

Research on regional organic formulations for Padmanabhapuram Palace.

Archaeological Survey of India — January 2022 Newsletter

Lime-plaster conservation at the Taj Mahal.

Punjab Infrastructure Development Board — Gobindgarh Fort Feasibility Report

Government report hosted in a document mirror; describes Nanakshahi-brick masonry and lime mortar.

European Lime Association — Carbonation Booklet

Carbon uptake in different lime applications; an industry association source.

Punjab Labour Department — Minimum Wage Notification, 1 May 2026

Government notification hosted by SGC Services. Basic wage floors by skill category.

Health and Safety Executive — Cement

Workplace skin, eye and dust hazards and protective measures.

Project & archive credits

Project Zinda Virasat Living Heritage — HistoryLensZindaVirasat by Reeva Chopra.

Project concept, field documentation, oral-history collection and archive curation: Reeva Chopra.

With thanks to the masons and family members whose voices form this archive, and to Voice of Amritsar NGO for using, acknowledging and commending its documentation.