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.s6.32

v6.c40.s6.32

'Two of the famous Ṛig-vedic kings, Divodāsa, the chief of the Bharatas, and Purukutsa, the chief of the Pūrus, are found engaged in war with the hostile owners of *puras* (cities). It is said (4, 30, 20) that Indra overthrew a hundred *puras* for his worshipper, Divodāsa. The greatest feat that Indra performed on behalf of Purukutsa, the chief of Pūrus, is thus described in a stanza (6, 20, 10): 'May we, O Indra, regain new (wealth) through your favour; the Pūrus worship thee with this hymn and sacrifice. You destroyed the seven autumnal *puras* with thunder-weapon, slew Dāsas and gave wealth to Purukutsa.' 'If we can shake off our bias,' continues Mr. Chanda, 'relating to the absence of towns in the Ṛig-vedic period, we can recognize in these stanzas (5, 34, 7; 7, 25, 2; 1, 41, 3) references to both fort and town.' It is rightly declared that 'the recovery of the ruins of cities at Harappa and Mohenjo-daro leaves no room for doubt that the Ṛig-vedic Āryas were familiar with towns and cities of aliens.' He concludes that 'there existed, and the folk-memory remembered, that there once existed Ārya worshippers of Indra who waged wars against civilized aboriginal neighbours living in towns and fighting from within strongholds.'¹