[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) › c16.22 # Town Planning in Ancient India c16.22 Town Planning in Ancient India c16.22 - **Language:** English ### [c16.22](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.dutt-1925.c16.22) I have already remarked that religion is the be-all and end-all of a Hindu's life. Spirituality is the fountain-head from which flowed his national currents. Hence the temples—embodiments of spirituality—were the centres where culture and education were fostered and promulgated. Again the same sages who were the custodians of sacred lore and expounders of Hindu theology, holding holy communion in meditation with God, were also the professors and propounders of Hindu sociology. Generally the wise and sagacious hermits, belonging to the sacerdotal class were also the persons who directed the legislation of society. A sequestered cloister away from the hustle and bustle of the city was the one most suited to their contemplative life and to the training of the young hopefuls of the race. And their hermitages took the place of modern colleges where students congregated from all parts of the country. The temples, hermitages or monasteries of ancient India formed the nucleuses of the university towns of later ages, such as Taxila or Nālandā, Naimishāraṇya or Benares. - [Previous: c16.21](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.dutt-1925.c16.21) - [Next: c16.23](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.dutt-1925.c16.23) - [Up: c16](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.dutt-1925.c16) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.dutt-1925.c16.22](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.dutt-1925.c16.22) · Pramāṇa