[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Architecture and art](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art) › [Town Planning in Ancient India](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.dutt-1925) › c15.35 # Town Planning in Ancient India c15.35 Town Planning in Ancient India c15.35 - **Language:** English ### [c15.35](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.dutt-1925.c15.35) The radical import of the word sthānīya is local. Hence literally it is a local fortified town. This refers us to a period of Indian history when her political state was in chaos and her condition was far from being settled and tranquil. Hence the king could not have a permanent sway over a fixed kingdom. His sway extended as far as his mighty arms could reach. The kingdom always followed him from place to place. Hence he had to quarter fortified capitals, wherever he could rest and settle for a while. In my opinion this clears up the following opinion of Kauṭilya. "With ready preparation for fight, the king may have his fortified capital sthānīya as the seat of his sovereignty (samudaya-sthānam) in the centre of his kingdom: in a locality naturally best fitted for the purpose such as the bank of the confluence of the rivers, a deep pool of perennial water or of a lake or a tank, a fort circular, rectangular or square in form surrounded with an artificial canal or water, and connected with both land and waterpaths (may be constructed).” - [Previous: c15.34](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.dutt-1925.c15.34) - [Next: c15.36](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.dutt-1925.c15.36) - [Up: c15](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.dutt-1925.c15) ## Linked texts (1) - [Kauṭilīya Arthaśāstra](https://indike.org/pramana/in.niti.artha.kautilya) — Kauṭilya, Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.dutt-1925.c15.35](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.dutt-1925.c15.35) · Pramāṇa