[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) › c15.40 # Town Planning in Ancient India c15.40 Town Planning in Ancient India c15.40 - **Language:** English ### [c15.40](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.dutt-1925.c15.40) (11) Nigama :—It is a market mainly of artisans; but all the four castes of people also live here. It seems owing to insufficiency of space, the rule of allocating different sites to different castes and professions was not rigidly observed in this town. Nigama literally means a trade route. Hence it is a trysting place for traders and caravans. Again Nigama may be a market with a police outpost situated on the approaches to the capital or the kingdom.² (12) Maṭha or Vihāra :—Last but not the least in importance is the university town called Vidyāsthāna, Maṭha or Vihāra. Literally it means students' quarters or colleges. Hence it is a residential university where not only the learners board and lodge but religious itinerants (parivrājakas) or monks also reside. Savants from foreign lands also repair to the place, where there is provision for (free ?) supply of food and water. It is defended against hostile attack.¹ The student celibates who prefered religious pursuits and philosophical lore to a worldly life used to put up at this university town, it may be, in the capacity of professors. "And as the Brāhmaṇs became the custodians of Aryan traditions and culture, the Āśrama or Brāhman village developed into the university town to which Aryan youth of the twice-born classes went for instruction."² - [Previous: c15.39](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.dutt-1925.c15.39) - [Next: c15.41](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.dutt-1925.c15.41) - [Up: c15](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.dutt-1925.c15) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.dutt-1925.c15.40](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.dutt-1925.c15.40) · Pramāṇa