The midday sun blazed down on the arid landscape of Rajputana, casting long shadows over the construction site. Harsha stood atop a ridge, his silhouette outlined against the golden sands. Below him, Rudra and a team of workers buzzed with activity, hauling bricks and stones to the site of their newest project—a dome-shaped kiln inspired by Harsha's memories of rotary kilns from his past life.
"This kiln will be unlike any we've built before," Harsha declared, his voice carrying over the din. His eyes gleamed with determination. "Rudra, ensure the base is compacted properly. It must withstand the weight of the dome."
Rudra, a skilled architect and Harsha's trusted ally, nodded. "The bricks are ready, your highness. We're using a blend of local clay and crushed ceramics, as you instructed. It should enhance the kiln's strength."
Harsha descended from the ridge, his movements purposeful. He crouched beside a pile of limestone freshly excavated from Mand and inspected the chunks. "This is excellent. Mand's mines have always been a treasure trove for limestone. Dhruv's trade routes will ensure we have more when needed."
He turned to the gathered workers, many of whom were simple farmers, blacksmiths, and potters who had joined his vision. "You are not just building a kiln. You are building the foundation of our empire's future. Remember, every stone you lay here will shape the destiny of Rajputana."
The workers cheered, their spirits lifted by Harsha's words. Among them, a boy no older than fifteen raised his hand hesitantly. "Yuvraj , why do we need such a large kiln? Our old ones worked fine for pottery and bricks."
Harsha's gaze softened as he addressed the boy. "Good question. This kiln isn't just for pottery or bricks. It will produce quicklime, an essential ingredient for hydraulic lime, which can set underwater. This means stronger buildings, bridges, and fortifications that will endure for generations. What we're doing here is pioneering a new era of construction."
The boy's eyes widened with understanding, and Harsha patted him on the shoulder. "Curiosity is the mark of a future craftsman. Keep asking questions."
Building the Kiln
Under Harsha's watchful eye, the workers began laying the foundation. The dome-shaped kiln was to be constructed using interlocking bricks that Rudra had designed. Each brick was shaped to fit snugly against the next, creating a structure that could withstand intense heat.
"Stack the bricks at an angle," Rudra instructed, gesturing to the diagram Harsha had drawn earlier. "The dome's curvature will distribute the heat evenly, improving efficiency."
Harsha joined Rudra by the kiln's base. "Remember," he said, "the kiln must reach temperatures of 900 to 1,000 degrees Celsius for calcination. Remember, I mentioned you Celsius using the water boiling example before .[because as this time period lacks formal temperature units ,so when Harsha trained them ,he also gave them some miner theories in science from childhood ]. The airflow system is crucial. Ensure the vents are positioned to maximize air flow."
"Understood," Rudra replied. He then called for a team to begin assembling the venting system. The vents were crafted from stone and designed to channel air into the heart of the kiln, where the fuel would burn hottest.
Nearby, Dhruv supervised a group of miners unloading gypsum and pozzolanic materials. Harsha had guided Dhruv extensively, providing him with locations from his past life memory where valuable minerals could be found. He often thought about developing more mines, recalling the coal mines he had known in his past life. Places like Jharkhand, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh came to mind, although they were currently in territories controlled by other kingdoms such as Rashtrakuta and Magadh. Harsha's strategic vision included eventually expanding to these regions when the opportunity arose. It was Harsha who suggested exploring the mines of Mand, Hadoti, and Mewar for limestone and gypsum, and his insights had proven invaluable. "This gypsum will be added during the grinding process," Harsha explained to the workers. "It will help control the setting time of our cement."
As the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting a warm orange glow over the site, Harsha took a moment to reflect. His memories from a past life had guided him this far, but the journey was far from over. He recalled the first time he had learned about rotary kilns and hydraulic lime—concepts that had seemed so far removed from his current reality. Yet, here he was, adapting those principles to the resources and knowledge of 7th-century India.
"Yuvraj," Rudra called, interrupting his thoughts. "The foundation is complete. Shall we begin constructing the dome?"
Harsha nodded. "Yes, but ensure that the bricks are soaked in water before laying them. It will prevent cracking during the firing process."
The workers moved with renewed energy, their confidence bolstered by Harsha's leadership. Each brick laid was a step closer to realizing a vision that would transform not just their empire but the very fabric of construction in their time.
A New Discovery
The next day, Harsha led a small team to inspect the progress. As they approached the nearly completed kiln, Dhruv ran up to him, excitement evident in his expression.
"Crown Prince ," Dhruv said, slightly out of breath. "Our miners have found another deposit of gypsum near Mewar. It's of excellent quality. This will significantly boost our production capacity."
Harsha smiled. "Good work, Dhruv. Mewar's mines will play a crucial role in our expansion plans. Make arrangements to transport the gypsum here as soon as possible."
As they discussed logistics, Rudra approached, holding a piece of limestone that had been heated in a small trial kiln. "Look at this, Yuvraj . The calcination process worked perfectly. The quicklime is pure."
Harsha examined the sample, his mind already racing with possibilities. "This is the first step," he said. "Once the main kiln is operational, we'll produce lime mortar for our new constructions. Castles, bridges, aqueducts—nothing will be beyond our reach."
With the kiln nearing completion, Harsha turned his attention to training the workers. Using his boon to accelerate their learning, he taught them the principles of hydraulic lime production and its applications.
"Mixing slaked lime with sand and pozzolanic materials creates a mortar that hardens by absorbing air," Harsha explained to the assembled group. He demonstrated the process, his hands moving with practiced precision as he mixed the ingredients.
The workers watched intently, their confidence growing with each lesson. Rudra and Dhruv also took on mentoring roles, ensuring that the knowledge spread effectively among the team.
The Kiln Ignites
Finally, the day arrived to fire the kiln for the first time. Harsha stood beside Rudra and Dhruv as the workers loaded it with alternating layers of fuel and limestone. The air was thick with anticipation as the first flames flickered to life.
"Maintain the airflow," Harsha instructed, his eyes fixed on the kiln. The bellows pumped steadily, feeding air into the fire and driving the temperature higher. The glow inside the kiln intensified, casting a warm light over the faces of the gathered crowd.
Hours passed as the kiln roared, its heat reaching the desired temperatures. When the first batch of quicklime was extracted, a cheer erupted from the workers.
Harsha held up a handful of the fine white powder, his voice ringing with pride. "This is not just lime. It is the foundation of a new age for Rajputana. Together, we have achieved something extraordinary. This is only the beginning."
As the crowd celebrated, Harsha turned to Rudra and Dhruv. "We'll expand this operation across the empire. With hydraulic lime and improved cement, we'll build structures that will stand for centuries."
The three of them stood together, their faces lit by the glow of the kiln, united in their vision of a stronger, more enduring empire.
End of Chapter .
to be continued ...