[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) › c17 # Town Planning in Ancient India c17: Appendix A: Some Noted Ancient Indian Towns Town Planning in Ancient India c17 - **Language:** English ## Contents - [c17.s1 Ayodhyā](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.dutt-1925.c17.s1) — 3 parts - [c17.s2 Indraprastha](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.dutt-1925.c17.s2) — 2 parts - [c17.s3 Pāṭaliputra](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.dutt-1925.c17.s3) — 2 parts - [c17.s4 Madurā](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.dutt-1925.c17.s4) — 10 parts - [c17.s5 Vaṃji or Karur](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.dutt-1925.c17.s5) — 7 parts ### Appendix A: Some Noted Ancient Indian Towns ### [c17.2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.dutt-1925.c17.2) Descriptions of some typical cities of ancient India given in the Epics, the Purāṇas, the vernacular literature, and the accounts of foreign travellers, have helped me a good deal in studying the science of Indian town-planning and forming a proper conception of its practical working. Some of them are reproduced here because they are as much of supreme interest as descriptions of ancient towns, as of high importance to the reader who will find in them first-hand materials to judge and compare for himself. ### Ayodhyā ### [c17.s1.1](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.dutt-1925.c17.s1.1) This was a city twelve yojanas long, three yojanas broad. There were in it many fine wide streets, all symmetrically arranged; their level varied to suit the ground and to facilitate the circulation of traffic. They were regularly watered and occassionally strewn with full bloomed flowers. The king Daśaratha made large extensions of the city in order to relieve congestion. The city had stout arched gates with large door-panels, a fine lay-out of lanes and other minor roads, was fitted with mechanisms, equipped with a variety of weapons and wore a resplendent appearance. There lived in it many skilled artisans, craftsmen, and charioteers. Multitudes of lofty castles, countless flags flaunting on high, hundreds of guns (śataghnī), numerous gardens and mango-groves enhanced its beauty and magnificence. Surrounding the city was a belt of Śāla trees.¹ In all quarters of the city were special theatres for females. A deep-water ditch girding the city made it difficult of access. There were innumerable horses, elephants, cows, camels, asses, towering palaces of the best stone or marble, and sport-houses for the ladies. It was laid out on a plain and there were many seven-storeyed buildings. The houses were arranged one beside another so that there was no plot of land without human dwellings. The water of the city was limpid and sweet to the taste. The facades of all the houses, owing to a harmony in their design and symmetry in their arrangement, were magnificent to behold. There were town-halls and squares in the city. Ladies' parks too were not wanting.² ### [c17.s1.2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.dutt-1925.c17.s1.2) ¹ The original text is ‘śāla-mekhalā,’ It may also mean ‘wall-girdled.’ But evidences are not wanting to show that there were cities in ancient India that possessed girdles of trees. ### [c17.s1.3](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.dutt-1925.c17.s1.3) ² The Rāmāyaṇa, Ādi Kāṇḍa, Ch. 5. ### Indraprastha ### [c17.s2.1](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.dutt-1925.c17.s2.1) It was adorned with sea-like ditches, defended by sky-high parapets and furnished with gates, towers and palatial buildings. There was a fine lay-out of large thoroughfares. There were magnificent houses, pleasant retreats, fine museums, artificial hills, numerous tanks brimming with water, beautiful lakes fragrant with lilies and lotuses and lovely with variety of birds, many charming parks and gardens with tanks at the centres and also numberless fine ponds.¹ ### [c17.s2.2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.dutt-1925.c17.s2.2) ¹ The Mahābhārata, Ādiparva, Ch. 217. ### Pāṭaliputra ### [c17.s3.1](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.dutt-1925.c17.s3.1) Pāṭaliputra, the capital of the Mauryya Empire, was planned on a magnificent scale. Megasthenes informs us: " The greatest city in India is that which is called Palimbothra, in the dominions of the Prasians, where the streams of the Erannoboas (this is Greek corruption for Hirannavati, modern Sone) and the Ganges unite....This city stretched in the inhabited quarters to an extreme length on each side of 80 stadia (nearly ten miles), and its breadth was fifteen stadia (nearly two miles), and a ditch encompassed it all round, 600 feet in breadth and 30 cubits in depth, and the wall was crowned with 570 towers and four-andsixty gates.”¹ There were smaller doors between the main gates and there were really three brick-lined moats in quick succession. The walls of the capital were made of timber. “The royal palace which occupied a central position and placed in a fine wooden park laid out with fountains and fish ponds, was described by Megasthenes as being more splendid than those of Susa and Ecbatana. Its pillars were plated with gold, and it was magnificently furnished with thrones and chairs of state, and great vessels of gold, silver, and copper set with precious stones.” Mr. Havell supplements this picture with details given in Kauṭilya’s summary of Indo-Aryan polity. This can be done only on the presumption that Kauṭilya’s discourse on fort-planning was not based on what he considered to be sound principles of efficient fortification, but that he faithfully recorded what he found in his own favourite metropolis. Howbeit I do not append here extracts from his Arthaśāstra inasmuch as I have utilised his discourse on town-planning in more appropriate chapters. ### [c17.s3.2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.dutt-1925.c17.s3.2) ¹ Arrian, Ind., Ch. X. ### Madurā ### [c17.s4.1](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.dutt-1925.c17.s4.1) “ Madurā, the capital of the Pāṇḍyas was a fortified city. There were four gates to the fort, surmounted by high towers, and outside the massive walls which were built of rough-hewn stone, was a deep moat, and surrounding the moat was a thick jungle of thorny trees. The roads leading to the gates were wide enough to permit several elephants pass abreast and on the walls on both sides of the entrance, there were all kinds of weapons and missiles concealed, ready to be discharged on an enemy. Yavana soldiers with drawn swords guarded the gates. Over the gates and walls waved many a standard which had been taken in battle. The principal streets in the city were royal street, the market street, the courtezans' street, and the streets where dwelt the goldsmiths, corn-dealers, cloth merchants, jewellers, etc. Outside the fort of Madurā resided those men who led a life of religious devotion and poorer classes such as the Panar and other lower castes."\[1\] This account I supplement from the materials furnished by Venkatarama Ayyar. The original site of Madurā was a forest of lordly kadamba trees whence another name of Madurā is Kadamba-vana. In this forest were a beautiful tank and a temple of God Śiva on its embankment. The then ruling king of the Pāṇḍya dynasty attracted by the site, caused a careful survey of it and finally evolved a city-plan starting with the temple as centre. Round this temple the king constructed in order, a Padma-maṇḍapam where the Vedas would be chanted, an Artha-maṇḍapam where festivals might be held, and a Nṛtya-maṇḍapam or kitchen for the temple, and other small temples around. Thereafter were laid out the main streets including the chief processional streets, and other small streets were constructed intersecting the former. And in the open squares thus formed public meeting places and other open places were also planned and constructed. He also erected several public platforms and planted fruit trees thereon. He did not disturb the existing streams and ponds, but added to their number. Such were the tanks, orchards, gardens, and flower gardens; and the walls and moats encircled the town. ### [c17.s4.2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.dutt-1925.c17.s4.2) ¹ V. Kanaksavai, pp. 12-3. ### [c17.s4.3](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.dutt-1925.c17.s4.3) Many years passed and the town was washed away by a huge flood. When it subsided, the town was constructed anew. The plan was drawn up afresh after a resurvey of the limits of the old city from a study of the extant traces and that on such a comprehensive scale as to satisfy the growing need of the swelling population. In this new plan, which was circular also, the old temple retained its central position.¹ The great ### [c17.s4.4](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.dutt-1925.c17.s4.4) ¹ Cf. Mānasāra: "In the reconstruction of old ruined villages, old shrine should not be disturbed; but on the other hand, the plan should start from it and centre round it." Ch. 9. ### [c17.s4.5](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.dutt-1925.c17.s4.5) पौराणदेवतास्थानं सर्वथापि न चालयेत् । तस्मात्तदनुसारेण कुर्याद्वास्तुविनिर्णयम् ॥ ### [c17.s4.6](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.dutt-1925.c17.s4.6) entrance gate of the city was to the south, while the smaller gate on the northern side was its exit. Thus the city grew towards the south and had the river Vaikaki as a natural boundary on the north. This arrangement of a big entrance gate and a small exit gate is after the model of ordinary houses. The walls of the fort were constructed as the natural topography of the land would permit and hence admitted of several deflections and zig-zag shapes. It was henceforth called Tirumudangal or the beautiful city surrounded by meandering walls. ### [c17.s4.7](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.dutt-1925.c17.s4.7) " The starting point and circumscribing walls having been decided upon, it then became necessary to allot the several classes of population to definitely marked areas and provide ample open spaces, public baths, public halls, schools, markets, gymnasiums, or public play grounds, and other appurtenances of the city. The portion for the palace having been duly apportioned, the remaining space was utilised for schools, streets, play grounds and separate quarters for the different classes. And all these were done according to the Śāstras, due importance being attached to the provision of groves and parks which were reared afresh in several parts of the newly planned city. ### [c17.s4.8](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.dutt-1925.c17.s4.8) " There were not only big broad streets but also crooked streets and small lanes in the new plan.....The four streets round the King's palace was occupied by the ministers, rich merchants,.. Brāhmaṇs, and others, mostly servants of the Royal household. The streets were provided with dustbins." ### [c17.s4.9](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.dutt-1925.c17.s4.9) " Into the ditch was received all the drainage water of the city. The rural belt round the city gave it a desirable completeness and finish. A little from the eastern gate of the city and outside the walls of the fort, there was a spacious garden which was left for the exclusive use of saints and others who were engaged in meditation and prayer. ### [c17.s4.10](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.dutt-1925.c17.s4.10) " On either side of the ditch next to the walls of the city, there was a small forest-growth (thorny thickets) which was one of the defences of the city. It was in the nature of a garden which, while serving the purpose of defence, had the other advantage of providing a use for the impure water of the city. This device of forming gardens and groves outside the city utilised the drain water of the city considerably....Triangular plots, and quadrangular plots or squares separated these streets from the royal palace proper." ### Vaṃji or Karur ### [c17.s5.1](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.dutt-1925.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](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.dutt-1925.c17.s5.2) ¹ V. Kanaksavai, p. 15. ### [c17.s5.3](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.dutt-1925.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](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.dutt-1925.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](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.dutt-1925.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](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.dutt-1925.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](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.dutt-1925.c17.s5.7) ¹ Venkatarama Ayyar. ## Linked texts (5) - [Mānasāra](https://indike.org/pramana/in.art.silpa.dravida.manasara) — Sanskrit - [Kauṭilīya Arthaśāstra](https://indike.org/pramana/in.niti.artha.kautilya) — Kauṭilya, Sanskrit - [Ἰνδική](https://indike.org/pramana/inf.gr.roman.arrian.indica) — Λούκιος Φλάουιος Ἀρριανός, Ancient Greek - [Mahābhārata](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.mahabharata.vyasa) — Vyāsa, Sanskrit - [Vālmīkirāmāyaṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.ramayana.valmiki) — Vālmīki, Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.dutt-1925.c17](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.dutt-1925.c17) · Pramāṇa