[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) › c9.40 # Town Planning in Ancient India c9.40 Town Planning in Ancient India c9.40 - **Language:** English ### [c9.40](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.dutt-1925.c9.40) Denominations of the various kinds of streets in a town are as follows:—" A street that goes round the village or town is called Maṅgalavīthī which should be one to five daṇḍas wide. That which runs from east to west is called Rājapatha ; that which had gates at both extremities is termed Rājavīthī; that which has ‘sandhis’ (literally junction) is Sandhivīthī; and that which lies in a southerly direction, is named Mahākāla or Vāmana.”¹ According to Mayamuni, “the streets that run straight like a staff from east to west are called Mahāpathas (broad highways). Of them the street passing through the centre (that is, the plot presided over by Brahmā) is called Brahmavīthī and this forms the navel of the network of streets. On both sides of this street and comparatively smaller than it are those streets (rest of the Mahāpathas ?) called Rājavīthī and these are fitted with gates (at the extremities). The Maṅgalavīthī and the Rathamārgas (car-streets)² all are ‘kuṭṭimakas’ (because they seem to have been paved with slabs of stone).³ These roads if furnished with transverse doors go by the name of Nārāchapathas. The comparatively narrower streets facing towards the north and equipped with gates and bolts are called Vāmanapathas. The street that goes round the village is called Maṅgalavīthikā and the corresponding street in a capital is called Janavīthikā. But in ancient authorities and in other towns, this street is technically termed as rathyā or the road along which the processional chariot (ratha) is dragged. The streets are one to five dhanus wide.”¹ - [Previous: c9.39](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.dutt-1925.c9.39) - [Next: c9.41](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.dutt-1925.c9.41) - [Up: c9](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.dutt-1925.c9) ## Linked texts (1) - [Mayamata](https://indike.org/pramana/in.art.silpa.dravida.mayamata) — Maya, Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.dutt-1925.c9.40](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.dutt-1925.c9.40) · Pramāṇa