Town Planning in Ancient India c17.s5: Vaṃji or Karur
Town Planning in Ancient India c17.s5
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Vaṃji or Karur
c17.s5.1
"The city, once a capital of the Chera Kingdom, now a deserted village known as Tiru Karur, was strongly fortified, and on the battlements were mounted various engines to throw missiles on those who attacked the fort. Over the gates in the walls, were towers plastered with mortar and adorned with flags. Surrounding the walls was a big moat in which man-eating alligators of large size abounded. The king's palace, a temple of Vishnu called Adakamadan or the " the golden shrine," a Buddhist Chaitya, and a Nigrantha monastery which was outside the gate of the fort, appear to have been the most conspicuous buildings. If Madurā was noted for its many mansions and towers, Vanji with its flowers and tanks full of crystal water, limpid streams, and little islands, shady bowers and parks with artificial hills and waterfalls, was charming to every visitor. Outside the fort, in a part called Puranakar (Puranaceri) lived a mixed population of different social status including the soldiers of the Chera king. Ascetics and philosophers also dwelt in the silent and shady groves, far away from the din and bustle of the capital."¹
c17.s5.2
¹ V. Kanaksavai, p. 15.
c17.s5.3
" The water of the palace, public halls, and private residences fell into this ditch by means of a conduit sluice known as Tumbu.
c17.s5.4
" The royal palace occupied the centre of the city. Round the palace were placed four streets intended for the Brāhmaṇs, the ministers, the chief military officers and servants of the King's household. Besides the above, there were parallel rows of streets inhabited by peoples following different trades and occupations....There were platforms under single fruit trees. At various places between the several quarters alloted for the trades and occupations, there were public platforms with fruit trees planted over them, while the people may sit awhile and chat. Public halls find free accommodation there. And triangular plots and quadrangular squares were kept as open spaces that they may serve as lungs to the separate quarters of the several classes of the people.
c17.s5.5
" Starting from the outer portion of the city, there were first the residences of the soldiers who guarded the city gates. Then the Puranakar (Puranaceri) or the part of the city next to the ditch and the walls was set apart for the several classes of the people, mostly a mixed population of different social status including the soldiers in the army.
c17.s5.6
" Besides the ditch and the walls, then there was the defence created by the trees and shrubs specially planted so as to form an artificial forest. Such forests are known as milai. People were forbidden to interfere with them. Generally soldiers resided there and guarded the trees."¹
c17.s5.7
¹ Venkatarama Ayyar.