Batan (stone)

It is also used to husk grains, wash [[quinoa]] from its alkaloid ([[saponin]]), grind grains, crush [[papalisa]] and even to prepare small quantities of flour.

It is also used to husk grains, wash [[quinoa]] from its alkaloid ([[saponin]]), grind grains, crush [[papalisa]] and even to prepare small quantities of flour.

==South Asia(Indian Subcontinent)==

==South Asia (Indian subcontinent)==

It is used in [[India]] in a large number of households.[http://www.nmtv.tv/a-feature-on-the-sil-batta-the-traditional-stone-grinder-of-the-indian-kitchen/ A Feature on the Sil Batta – The traditional Stone Grinder of the Indian Kitchen"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200111163938/https://www.nmtv.tv/a-feature-on-the-sil-batta-the-traditional-stone-grinder-of-the-indian-kitchen/ |date=2020-01-11 }} NMTV.tv March 3, 2011, accessed March 4, 2017 It is known there as "''[[Silbatta|sil-batta]]''" in [[Hindi]] with ''sil'' referring to flat stone and ''batta'' referring to a cylindrical grinding stone. It is known as ''pata-varvanta'' in [[Marathi language|Marathi]][http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/Bhimthadi-Jatra-A-melange-of-craftsmanship-and-tradition/articleshow/45500577.cms "Bhimthadi Jatra: A melange of craftsmanship and tradition"] December 13, 2014 The Times of India website, Retrieved March 4, 2017 and used in the state of Maharashtra. It is known as ''ammi kallu'' in [[Tamil language|Tamil]][ta.wiktionary.org/wiki/அம்மி Meaning of the word in Tamil Wiktionary] and [[Malayalam]].[ml.wiktionary.org/wiki/അമ്മി Meaning of the word in Malayalam Wiktionary] It is known as ''"shil nora"'' in [[Bengali language|Bengali]] and is basically found to be used in almost every household in [[West Bengal]]. In [[Odisha]], it is called ''sila puaa'' where it is also worshipped as Bhu Devi or mother Earth during traditional [[Odia Hindu wedding|Odia]] weddings and the [[Raja (festival)|Raja]] festival. It is traditionally used to grind spices and lentils in the states of [[Tamil Nadu]] and [[Kerala]]. These grinding stones are primarily used to prepare [[chutney]] and [[spice mix]]es for cooking and occasional use including grinding soaked lentils in preparation for [[Dosa (food)|dosa]]s, [[vada (food)|vadas]], or [[papadum]].

It is used in [[India]] in a large number of households.[http://www.nmtv.tv/a-feature-on-the-sil-batta-the-traditional-stone-grinder-of-the-indian-kitchen/ A Feature on the Sil Batta – The traditional Stone Grinder of the Indian Kitchen"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200111163938/https://www.nmtv.tv/a-feature-on-the-sil-batta-the-traditional-stone-grinder-of-the-indian-kitchen/ |date=2020-01-11 }} NMTV.tv March 3, 2011, accessed March 4, 2017 It is known there as "''sil-batta''" in [[Hindi]] with ''sil'' referring to flat stone and ''batta'' referring to a cylindrical grinding stone. It is known as ''pata-varvanta'' in [[Marathi language|Marathi]][http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/Bhimthadi-Jatra-A-melange-of-craftsmanship-and-tradition/articleshow/45500577.cms "Bhimthadi Jatra: A melange of craftsmanship and tradition"] December 13, 2014 The Times of India website, Retrieved March 4, 2017 and used in the state of Maharashtra. It is known as ''ammi kallu'' in [[Tamil language|Tamil]][ta.wiktionary.org/wiki/அம்மி Meaning of the word in Tamil Wiktionary] and [[Malayalam]].[ml.wiktionary.org/wiki/അമ്മി Meaning of the word in Malayalam Wiktionary] It is known as ''"shil nora"'' in [[Bengali language|Bengali]] and is basically found to be used in almost every household in [[West Bengal]]. In [[Odisha]], it is called ''sila puaa'' where it is also worshipped as Bhu Devi or mother Earth during traditional [[Odia Hindu wedding|Odia]] weddings and the [[Raja (festival)|Raja]] festival. It is traditionally used to grind spices and lentils in the states of [[Tamil Nadu]] and [[Kerala]]. These grinding stones are primarily used to prepare [[chutney]] and [[spice mix]]es for cooking and occasional use including grinding soaked lentils in preparation for [[Dosa (food)|dosa]]s, [[vada (food)|vadas]], or [[papadum]].

[[File:Sill_Batta_Round.png|alt=Photograph of a rectangular stone, with a smaller cylindrical stone roller resting on top|thumb|299x299px|Sil with round batta.]]

The ''silbatta'' ({{langx|hi|सिलबट्टा}}; also called sil pua, sil nora, ammi kal/kallu or pata varvanta) is a traditional Indian flat stone grinder. It consists of a flat base stone (sil; {{lang|hi|सिल}}) and a cylindrical muller (batta; {{lang|hi|बट्टा}}) used for grinding [[Spice|spices]], [[Herb|herbs]] and [[Chutney|chutneys]]. The batta is held with both hands and moved back and forth (rolled, rocked) over the sil. The rocking moment vary depending upon the application and either the grinding is done dry or wet.{{Cite web |title=What is Sil Batta? |url=https://www.hindimen.in/2022/05/sil-batta-in-english-mein-kya-kahate-hain.html |url-status=live}}

In [[Nepal]], it is known as ''silauto-lohoro'' with silauto referring to flat stone and lohoro referring to a cylindrical grinding stone.{{Cite web |title=What is Sil Batta? |url=https://www.hindimen.in/2022/05/sil-batta-in-english-mein-kya-kahate-hain.html |url-status=live}}

In [[Nepal]], it is known as ''silauto-lohoro'' with silauto referring to flat stone and lohoro referring to a cylindrical grinding stone.{{Cite web |title=What is Sil Batta? |url=https://www.hindimen.in/2022/05/sil-batta-in-english-mein-kya-kahate-hain.html |url-status=live}}

[[File:Sil-batta.png|alt=Photograph from above of a flat stone with a blocky triangular stone resting on top|thumb|Sil-batta]]

=== History ===

The silbatta dates to as early as 2500 BC. A simplified excavated specimen dated to the Indus Valley or the Indus-Saraswati civilization is showcased in the [[National Museum of History, Delhi]].{{Cite web |last=krithika_rb |date=2024-07-26 |title=Sil-Batta - Then and Now |url=https://ranveerbrar.com/silbatta-then-now/ |access-date=2026-04-23 |website=Ranveer Brar |language=en-US}}

Seals found from this civilization depict four types of silbatta or simple grinding stones, each used for a different purpose, such as religious activities or cooking.{{Citation needed|date=April 2026}}

Shri K T Achaya in his book, ''A Historical Dictionary of Indian Food'' mentions stone units used during the Neolithic era. One had a circular depression in which grains were crushed using a ‘rounded stone held in one hand’. The other was flat-ish that paired with a ‘cylindrical muller rolled with both hands’.{{Citation needed|date=April 2026}}

==See also==

==See also==

* [[Household stone implements in Karnataka]]

* [[Household stone implements in Karnataka]]