• Mangalore Tiles: Traditional clay roofing tiles produced in Mangalore, Karnataka.
• Also known as Mangalorean tiles.
• Named after Mangalore, their place of origin.
• Particularly popular in coastal and heavy-rainfall regions.

🏭 History

• Introduced in Mangalore by German missionaries of the Basel Mission.
• Georg Plebst, a German missionary, played an important role in establishing the tile industry.
• The first industrial tile factory began production on 4 December 1865.
• It used clay from the Gurupura and Nethravathi river banks.
• The factory was the first industrial tile plant in India, according to the source.
• Albuquerque Tile Factory: Established in 1868 at Panemangalore.
• Alvares Tile Factory: Established in 1878 at Mangalore.
• By the 1900s, around 25 tile factories existed in and around Mangalore.
• By 1994, around 75 factories were reported.

🧱 Characteristics & Uses

• Made primarily from laterite clay.
• Usually red coloured because of the high proportion of iron compounds in laterite clay.
• Weight: approximately 2–3 kg per tile.
• Usually placed at about 45° inclination.
• Commonly used in:
  • Canara
  • Goa
  • Kerala
  • Konkan
• Suitable for sloping roofs and areas receiving heavy rainfall.
• Provide natural solar insulation and good ventilation.
• Resistant to fire damage because they are fired at high temperatures.

🔨 Manufacturing Process

1. Laterite clay is collected.
2. Clay is placed in a mould and cut to required dimensions.
3. Placed in a tile press for shaping.
4. Factory logo is applied.
5. Excess clay is removed and generally reused.
6. Tiles are fired in a kiln.
7. Glaze/engobe may be applied before firing.
8. Finished tiles are stored for transportation.

🌍 Trade

• Mangalore tiles were historically exported to:
  • East Asia
  • Europe
  • Australia
  • Africa
  • Middle East
• They were once highly demanded throughout India and abroad.
• The source states that restrictions on clay extraction in 2026 threatened production.

⭐ Exam Quick Revision

• Mangalore Tiles → Mangalore, Karnataka
• Type → Clay roofing tiles
• Introduced by → Basel Mission German missionaries
• Key person → Georg Plebst
• First production → 4 December 1865
• First industrial tile plant in India → Basel Mission tile factory
• Clay sources → Gurupura & Nethravathi rivers
• Albuquerque Factory → 1868
• Alvares Factory → 1878
• Main material → Laterite clay
• Red colour → Iron compounds in laterite clay
• Tile weight → 2–3 kg
• Roof inclination → ~45°
• Major use → Coastal/heavy-rainfall regions
• Major regions → Canara, Goa, Kerala & Konkan
• Important advantage → Natural insulation + ventilation + fire resistance