Vastu-shastra (Vol. I: Hindu Science of Architecture; Vol. II: Hindu Canons of Iconography and Painting) v1.c55.23

v1.c55.23

Rāja-Veśma: The opening sentence of the fifteenth chapter—‘Rājaniveśa’, says, “that the planning of the Rājaveśma was a component part of the planning of a town”. Any town plan in ancient or medieval India must bestow sufficient attention to the Rājaveśma—the residential quarters of the kings and their kinsmen together with all the establishments of a king those days. This is what the S. S. says at the very outset (cf. 15. 1-8). It says that after the town has been planned on the famous site-plan of sixtyfour squares; all the roads both highways, and the central ones together with the adjoining Mahārathyās, Uparathyās and their auxiliary ones, the streets, lanes and bye-lanes have also been planned out, the fortification in all its ramifications and component parts of the surrounding ditches, ramparts and walls and the Aṭṭālakas thereupon has also been completed; the raised platforms, the Catvaras are also architecturally built and finished, the temples and shrines—the places of worship are allotted to the different deities allocated both in the interior of the town and in its exterior; then a piece of land selected at the western side of the centre, in orientation of the North, on the pada presided over by Mitra, a square, even and auspicious (i. e. conforming to the minutest details of the Śāstra) and bestower of fame, grandeur and victory, the palace of the king should be built”.