Terracotta is a clay-based material that is fired in kilns, resulting in a hard material that is typically red in color. It has been used historically for sculptures and pottery as well as roof tiles and bricks. Some key properties of terracotta include its porous nature, durability, and ability to be customized, though it requires a glaze to be waterproof. Major locations of terracotta production include Pushkar and Bishnupur, and it is commonly used for decorative items, vessels, and building construction materials.