Chandragupta Maurya and His Times c7.89

c7.89

The construction of the city corresponds closely to what Kauṭilya prescribes on the subject. Kauṭilya builds up the capital as a fort (*durga*) to protect the country (*janapadārakshasthānam*). In that view, it should be on a river or a hill. Or it may be built at the centre of the kingdom (*Janapadamadhye*) in a suitable locality approved by engineers (*Vāstuka-praśaste Vāstuvidyābhijñanirdishṭe deśe*), at the confluence of rivers (*nadīsaṅgame*), or on a lake (*hrada*), or tank (*taṭāka*) for unfailing supply of water. It should be surrounded by a canal (*pradakshiṇodakam*) and accessible by both land and water routes. It should be further protected by a ring of three moats (*parikhā*) with an interval of one *daṇḍa* (=6 ft.) between each. The three moats are to be of the width of 14, 12 and 10 *daṇḍas* (=84', 72' and 60') each, and with sides made of stone or brick. The depth is to be one-fourth or half of width (so as to lend itself to boating). The moats should be running streams connected with natural sources of water, with rivers, into which they can flow, and bearing lotuses and crocodiles (*toyāntikīḥ āgantutoyapūrṇā vā saparivāhāḥ padmagrāhavatīḥ*).