MARBLE

The term "Marble" is derived from Latin word "Marmor" which itself comes from the Greek root "Marmaros" meaning thereby a shining stone. Technically marble is a recrystallised, compact variety of metamorphosed limetone capable of taking polish. Commercially, marble is any crystalline rock composed predominantly of calcite, dolomite or serpentine, having 3-4 hardness, which can be excavated as blocks and can be sawed and takes good polish. Amongst the building stones, marble occupies a unique position. Since time immemorial, marble has been used in temples, mosques, palaces, monuments etc. as an ornamental and decorative stone because of its pleasing colours, attactive patterns and designs. On the basis of mineralogical composition the marble deposits of Rajasthan can be grouped as calcitic, dolomitic and serpentine marble. Makrana, Serwa-Perwa, Paloda etc. are calcitic whereas those of Tripura Sundari and Rajnagar are dolomitic. Green marble of Keshriaji (Udaipur) and Dungarpur is serpentine marble. Babarmal marble is silicious, calcitic marble.

Marble Mines in Rajasthan

Rajasthan is the richest state in India with regards to marble deposits both in quality and quantity. The state is prominent business centre of marble processing in the country with about 95% of the total processing units. Rajasthan possesses large reserves of about 1100 million tonnes (M.T) of good quality marble. The important marble deposits are : Nagaur : Makrana, Borawad (white), Chausira, Dungri, Paharkuan (pink), Kumari, Ulodi, Pink Range, Kala Nada Talab. Jaipur : Bhainslana, Kotputli, Andhi, Raisala, Nimla, Todi Ka Bas. Alwar : Jhiri, Rajgarh, Dadhikar, Badampur, Kho, Baldegarh, Moti-Dungari, Malana, Goverdhanpura Dausa : Dagota. Jaislamer : Moolsagar, Amarsagar, Badabag, Habur, Sipla, Jethwai, Narpia. Rajsamand : Kotri, Amet, Morwad, Agaria, Parvati, Morchana, Kelwa, Vani, Saprav Ka Guda, Thodi, Nijharana, Talai, Umti, Jhanjer, Arna. Pali : Bar-Sendra, Diyana, Khiwandi, Sarangwa, Kantaliya,Kundal, Dujana. Banswara : Vithaldev, Tripura Sundari, Kotharia, Khema-Talai, Bhanwaria Talai, Oda-Bassi, Bhimkund, Prithvipura, Paloda. Udaipur : Babarmal, Devimata (Pink), Rikhabdev, Odwas, Masaron Ki Obri, (Green), Darauli, Tidi, Jaspura, Paduna, Manpur, Lohagarh, Sarvadi, Modi Chipala (White), Kela Kuan (Black). Makarana : Albeta Makarana Doongari Makarana Kumari Fany Brown Churu. Bundi : Umar, Pagara. Sirohi : Selwara, Iderla, Perwa-Serwa, Khandra, Deri, Morthala, Ajari. Dungarpur : Sabla, Nandili-Dad (calcitic), Peeth, Manpur, Dachki, Rohanwara, Mal-Surata (Green Serpentinitic). Ajmer : Sursura, Narwar, Kali-Dungari, Torka, Ladpura, Roopnagar, Saradhana, Kekri, Umaria, Sawar, Ganeshnagar. Sikar : Kela-Dungari (Maonda), Patan. Jodhpur : Pachori, Chadi, Au, Moriya-Munjasar, Indolai Ki Dhani. Bhilwara : Jahajpur, Sarankhera, Kanti, Munjras, Panchanpura, Malola, Pansel, Manohargarh, Asind, Banera, Shahpura. Chittorgarh : Mandal Tehsil Churu : Dunkar, Charla, Bidasar.

Classification of Marble

Marble has been classified into 10 groups by Bureau of Indian Standards (Indian Standard Institute i.e. ISI) (IS 1130-1969) on the basis of colour, shade and pattern. Rajasthan is the most fortunate state where all the 10 groups specified below are occurring : 1. Plain White Marble 2. Panther Marble 3. White Veined Marble 4. Plain Black Marble 5. Black Zebra Marble 6. Green Marble 7. Pink Adanga Marble 8. Pink Marble 9. Grey Marble 10. Brown Marble

Processing of Marble in Rajasthan

A large number of processing centres have been developed in the state at Makarana, Jaipur, Alwar, Ajmer, Udaipur, Nathdwara, Rajsamand, Morchana, Amet, Abu Road, Kishangarh, Banswara, Chittorgarh, Sirohi etc. where more than 1100 gangsaws and 50 automatic tiling plants are in operation. A large number of tiny units are also working.

New Marble Policy of Rajasthan Government