Manasara Series (I. A Dictionary of Hindu Architecture; II. Indian Architecture according to Manasara-Shilpashastra; III. Manasara on Architecture and Sculpture: Sanskrit Text; IV. Architecture of Manasara: Translation; V. Architecture of Manasara: Illustrations; VI. Hindu Architecture in India and Abroad; VII. An Encyclopaedia of Hindu Architecture) v4.c29.s5.6

v4.c29.s5.6

Town-planning is the next subject described in great detail in two chapters (IX, X). It is treated under two heads, *Grāma-lakshaṇa* (village scheme) and *Nagara-vidhāna* (lay-out of towns), and under three categories, village, town, and fort. Villages are divided into eight classes called *daṇḍaka*, *sarvatobhadra*, *nandyāvarta*, *padmaka*, *svastika*, *prastara*, *kārmuka* and *chaturmukha*: each of these, as the names indicate, represents a particular design and lay-out of which detailed measures and other particulars are given. Towns are also divided into eight classes: *Rājadhānī*, *nagara*, *pura*, *nagarī*, *kheṭa*, *kharvaṭa*, *kubjaka*, and *paṭṭana*. Forts are first divided into eight classes according to the size and the object and are called *śibira*, *vāhinīmukha*, *sthānīya*, *droṇaka samviddha* or *vardhaka*, *kolaka*, *nigama*, and *skandhāvāra*. According to their situation they are further classified into the mountain fort, water fort, chariot fort, divine fort, clay fort, and mixed fort. The mountain fort is further sub-divided into three classes as it is built on the top of a mountain, in the valley and on the slope.