Town Planning in Ancient India c11.35

c11.35

The word ‘prakṛti’ carries two imports and has been used in the same book in both the senses. Technically it signifies the eight principal departments of the State (elements of sovereignty) noticed in the Dharma Śāstras, to wit, the Crown, the Ministry, the Allies, the Treasury, the Forts, the Army, and the like; it may also mean the body of high dignitaries in charge of these departments. The ordinary meaning of the word is ‘subjects of the kingdom.’ In the context the word refers perhaps to those persons who had no business requiring them to take up permanent residence in the town.