[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) › c9.65 # Town Planning in Ancient India c9.65 Town Planning in Ancient India c9.65 - **Language:** English ### [c9.65](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.dutt-1925.c9.65) posts were planted. The Smṛti Śāstras enjoin lighting lamps at the cross-roads. Divine edifices were also erected at the intersections of roads. The central site of a town or a village was almost always set apart for shrines of Brahmā. The great width of the cross-sections, and the well, the chaitya, the sabhā-vṛksha (council tree),¹ or the light-post (dīpa-sthambha)² situated at their centres minimised the chances of collision between countergoing vehicles. In ancient India it was the custom to make a ‘pradakshiṇa’ (or rounding of the cross-way with the right hand turned towards it) of the cross-roads³ and this was not possible if pedestrians or conveyances did not keep to the left. Indeed great stress was laid - [Previous: c9.64](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.dutt-1925.c9.64) - [Next: c9.66](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.dutt-1925.c9.66) - [Up: c9](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.dutt-1925.c9) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.dutt-1925.c9.65](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.dutt-1925.c9.65) · Pramāṇa