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) v6.c40.s12.t4: Chapter IX: The Village (Grāmalakshana-vidhāna)
Mānasāra Series (I. A Dictionary of Hindu Architecture; II. Indian Architecture according to Mānasāra-Śilpaśāstra; III. Mānasāra on Architecture and Sculpture: Sanskrit Text; IV. Architecture of Mānasāra: Translation; V. Architecture of Mānasāra: Illustrations; VI. Hindu Architecture in India and Abroad; VII. An Encyclopaedia of Hindu Architecture) v6.c40.s12.t4
- Language
- English
Chapter IX: The Village (Grāmalakshana-vidhāna)
v6.c40.s12.t4.2
According to the *Mānasāra*, there is not much difference between a village, a town, and a fort. All are fortified places intended for the residence of people. A town is the extension of a village. A fort is in many cases nothing more than a fortified town, with this difference, that a fort is principally meant for purposes of defence, while a village or a town is mainly intended for habitation.
v6.c40.s12.t4.3
A detailed description of the plan of villages, towns, and forts, and the arrangement of the various buildings which they contain is given in the text.
v6.c40.s12.t4.4
Villages are divided according to their shapes into eight classes, called *daṇḍaka*, *sarvato-bhadra*, *nandyāvarta*, *padmaka*, *svastika*, *prastara*, *kārmuka*, and *chatur-mukha*.
v6.c40.s12.t4.5
Each village is surrounded by a wall made of brick or stone; beyond this wall there is a ditch broad and deep enough to cause serious obstruction in the event of an attack on the village. There are generally four main gates at the middle of the four sides, and as many at the [Figure: FRONT ELEVATION. BATHING GHAT FOR TANKS. PAL OR SEN PERIOD. NOTE The design for this Ghat is based on the extant remains of Tank Ghats found in the Districts of Dacca and Bogra of Pal and Sen periods PLAN GROUND LEVEL SECTION Scale of 1 0 5 10 20 Feet]
v6.c40.s12.t4.6
BATHING GHAT FOR TANKS
v6.c40.s12.t4.7
[Figure: BATHING GHAT FOR RIVER PAL OR SEN PERIOD SCALE OF FEET SCALE OF FEET FOR DETAIL NOTE. This design is based on the extant remains of old River Ghats found in Bengal. PLAN. SECTION. DETAIL OF THE FACADE]
v6.c40.s12.t4.8
four corners. Inside the wall there is a large street running all round the village. Besides, there are two other large streets, each of which connects two opposite main gates. They intersect each other at the centre of the village, where a temple or a hall is generally built for the meeting of the villagers. The village is thus divided into four main blocks, each of which is again subdivided into many blocks by streets which are always straight and run from one end to the other of a main block. The two main streets crossing at the centre have houses and footpaths on one side of the street. The ground-floor of these houses on the main streets consists of shops. The street, which runs round the village, has also houses and footpaths only on one side. These houses are mainly public buildings, such as schools, libraries, guest-houses, etc. All other streets generally have residential buildings on both sides. The houses, high or low, are always uniform in make. Drains (*jaladvāra*, *lit.* water-passage) follow the slope of the ground. Tanks and ponds are dug in all the inhabited parts, and located where they can conveniently be reached by a large number of inhabitants. The temples of public worship, as well as the public commons, gardens, and parks are similarly located. People of the same caste or profession are generally housed in the same quarter.
v6.c40.s12.t4.9
The partition of the quarters among the various sects cannot be said to be quite impartial. The best quarters are generally reserved for the Brahmans and the architects. Such partiality to the artists is not met elsewhere in Sanskrit literature. The quarters of the Buddhists and the Jains are described in a few lines. The habitations of the Chaṇḍālas, as well as the places for cremation, are located outside the village wall, in the north-west in particular. The temples of fearful deities, such as Chāmuṇḍā, are also placed outside the wall.
v6.c40.s12.t4.10
Towns and Forts (*Nagara-vidhāna*)
v6.c40.s12.t4.11
As stated above, a town is a large village. According to the *Mānasāra*, it appears that the dimensions of the smallest town-unit are 100 × 200 *daṇḍas*; the largest town-unit is 7,200 × 14,400 *daṇḍas*. A town may be situated from east to west or from north to south according to the position it occupies. There should be one to twelve large streets in a town. It should be built near a river or a mountain, and should have facilities for trade and commerce with the foreigners (*dvīpāntara-vartin*). Like a village, it should have walls, ditches and gates, drains, parks, commons, shops, exchanges, temples, guest-houses, colleges, etc. For purposes of military defence, the towns are generally well fortified.
v6.c40.s12.t4.12
Towns are divided into eight classes: *rājadhānī-nagara*, *kevala-nagara*, *pura*, *nagarī*, *kheṭa*, *kharvaṭa*, *kubjaka*, and *pattana*. The distinction between them is slight, the general description given above being applicable to all. But it may be noted that the city called *pattana* is a big commercial port. It is situated on the banks of the sea or a river, and is always engaged in exchange and commerce with foreigners who deal specially in jewels, silk clothes, perfumes, etc., imported from other countries (*dvīpāntara*).
v6.c40.s12.t4.13
Forts are first divided into eight classes, called *śibira*, *vāhinī-mukha*, *sthānīya*, *droṇaka*, *saṁviddha* or *vardhaka*, *kolaka*, *nigama*, and *skandhāvāra*. There is a further division of these forts according to their position. They are known as mountain fort (*giri-durga*), forest fort (*vana-durga*), water fort (*jala-durga*), chariot fort (*ratha-durga*), divine fort (*deva-durga*), marsh fort (*paṅka-durga*), and mixed fort (*miśra-durga*).
v6.c40.s12.t4.14
The mountain fort is subdivided into three classes, according as it is built on the top of the mountain, in the valley, or on the mountain slope.
v6.c40.s12.t4.15
All these forts are surrounded with strong walls and ditches. The wall is made of brick, stone, and similar materials. It is at least 12 cubits in height and its thickness at the base is at least 6 cubits. It is provided with watch-towers.