Namita Jaspal
At first look, one finds damaged, broken tile work and might think of replacing the broken tiles. But, on closer examination and assessment, we find that the broken tiles cannot be taken out without damaging the strength of the mosaic pattern and the structure. So, we had to look out for some in-situ strengthening methodology that would consolidate the structure while restoring the artistic pattern or element of the structure.
We dug out the similar technique of making tiles in that era and researched the materials used as well as the process of making such tiles.
All the possibilities were discussed with colleagues and scientists in the field before we could finalize the conservation methodology and go ahead with it.
Some more info about this can be read in an earlier post Conservation of Mughal Sarai, Doraha : Tile Work