Defence Architecture in Early North Karnataka c8.s1.t1.9

c8.s1.t1.9

Regarding the word "pur", Macdonell, (1958, p.538) observes that, "The individual dwellings, when collected into community dwellings, the idea of pur was materialised.[Pur is a word of frequent occurrence in the Rigvēda and later meaning 'rampart', 'fort' or 'stonghold' (Macdonel,A.A.,1958, p.538). Such fortifications must have been occasionally of considerable size as one is called 'broad' (Prithvī) and 'wide' (Urvī) else where (Rv. IV, 30.20) perhaps sun dried bricks are alluded to by Ama (Lit. raw, unbaked) in Rv.11,35.6_7. A fort made of stone (Asamamayi) is mentioned. Some times strong-holds of iron (ayasi) are referred to, but these are only metaphorical."