History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c29.s1.t4: Second Civilization
History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c29.s1.t4
- Language
- English
Second Civilization
v1.c29.s1.t4.1
Around 6th century B.C emerges the second civilization in India and we find the coming up of the capital cities of the sixteen *Mahājanapadas* (great kingdoms) like those of Kauśāmbi, Rājgir, Campā, Vaiśāli, Kāsī, Śrāvasti, Ahicchatra, Hastināpura, Mathura, Ujjain, Taxila etc. This civilization brings with it the fortified cities, kiln burnt bricks, highways which promoted long distance trade and communication and introduction of coinage and meaningful use of iron.
v1.c29.s1.t4.2
During the period of 6th century B.C. to early centuries of Christian era we get planned cities, with fortification wall, gates, bastions and towers (made of mud, unbaked bricks, baked bricks, wood and stone) some cities have moats, well laid and planned roads, streets and properly aligned houses with cardinal points in mind, reasonable systems of drainage, sanitary provisions, and system of water supply.
v1.c29.s1.t4.3
Fortifications have been brought to light by archaeological excavations at Eran, Kausambi, Rajghat (Kāsī), Ujjain, Old Rajgir, New Rajgir, Campā, Śrāvasti, Ahicchatra, Vaiśāli, Śiśupālgarh, Pātaliputra (here wooden defensive wall has been partly traced) and Taxila etc. The fortification walls have a large circuit: 6.5 km at Kauśāmbi, 5 km at New Rajgir (old Rajgir has a circuit of 40 km stone fortification but its date is not confirmed, it ought to be of the days of Bimbisāra). These fortification are not strictly planned. However the fortification of Śiśupālgarh, Sirkap and Taxila are well planned. At Rajgir and Mathura there were inner protection enclosures. Śiśupālgarh has later fortification. Most mud fortifications have partial or fully baked brick revetment.
v1.c29.s1.t4.4
Moats: At Sanghol there is evidence of three moats, first outside the rampart and the other two inside. But this is of late 5th century A.D.
v1.c29.s1.t4.5
The moat at Ujjain 8.1 meter deep is lined by a brick wall. It belongs to Pd I around 6th century B.C. Moat has been reported from Vijayapuri (Nagarjunakonda) from historical levels.
v1.c29.s1.t4.6
Kausāmbi (Dt. Allahabad, U.P) Earliest evidence of town planning in early historical period comes from Kausāmbi. The excavations in the area near Aśokan pillar revealed a planned city. The road excavated in the area controlled the plan of this city. Every house had access to this road either directly or through the lanes or by-lanes. The road joined one of the principal thoroughfares of the city connecting the Aśokan pillar area with various parts of the city and eastern gateway. Aśokan pillar stood at the junction of this road and principal thoroughfares. This plan continued from 4th century B.C to A.D. 400. The lay-out of the excavated city reveals the existence of a number of cross walls provided with doors which could be closed for protection and security.
v1.c29.s1.t4.7
Alignment of houses: Houses were aligned with roads and lanes and generally maintained correct orientation with cardinal points.
v1.c29.s1.t4.8
Sanitation System: The city shows well developed hygiene. The drainage devices include: ring wells, soakage jars, terr-cotta pipes, open brick drains, covered brick drains and brick tanks. These provisions served well for draining off water from houses and disposal of sewage.
v1.c29.s1.t4.9
Śiśupālgarh (Orissa): It is the best planned city of the 3rd century B.C. Its defensive wall was constructed in the first quarter of 2nd century B.C. There is evidence of large scale use of laterite blocks of massive size for gateways and monoliths and was reinforced by the brick ‘boxes’ filled with earth in next century. From the regular disposition of the eight gates: two on each of the 4 sides of the wall. The excavated remains reveal grid-pattern lay out. (Details of the fort city are given separately in another chapter)
v1.c29.s1.t4.10
Sirkap: It is new city of Taxila, founded by Indo-Greeks. It was extended and fortified by masonry wall and fully planned with spinal streets running from north gate throughout the length of the city, with smaller lanes meeting it at right angles. Houses are well defined. Sirkap is not a representative city of indigenous planning.
v1.c29.s1.t4.11
Vijayapuri: Excavations at Nagarjunakonda have laid bare the remains of the ancient city of Vijayapuri of historical period which displayed a well thought out plan with a citadel and residential area. The citadel was fortified complex with a moat. A tank with an elaborate drainage system has been brought to light. Structures show linear pattern in their arrangements with roads. Amongst the excavated secular remains is an amphitheatre with gallery on all sides and a bathing ghat.
v1.c29.s1.t4.12
*Arikamedu*: It is located on the eastern bank of a lagoon formed by Ariyankuppam river, about 3 km south of Pondicherry. Excavations have revealed a planned port city of Indo-Roman period datable to 1st-2nd century A.D.
v1.c29.s1.t4.13
Most important architectural remain is the 150 ft. long, oblong brick structures of a ware house, near the water level. Mention may be made of two tanks each with an adjacent room, extensively paved. It shows elaborate series of conduits and drains and pavements of large stones. Such an elaborate drainage system, some of the drains being constructed by means of corbelled wall, floored and roofed with horizontal bricks is quite unique in early cities of ancient India. The city continued to be occupied till 11-12th century A.D.
v1.c29.s1.t4.14
*Delhi*: Excavations at Purana Qila (Thapar, 1985) in Delhi has brought to light the remains of the old city of Indraprastha associated with Pāṇḍavas. The excavations have revealed continuous occupation from Pre-Mauryan days - through Mauryan, Sunga-Saka, Kusana, Gupta, Post Gupta and Rajput periods, finally giving way to Delhi Sultanate and Mughal period. Details of town plans and structural activity is being worked out to throw light specially on Post -Gupta and Rajput period.
v1.c29.s1.t4.15
*Warangal* (Andhra Pradesh): This is a unique circular city dating back to 12th century, when it was founded by Gaṇapatideva a prominent Kākatīya ruler. The city is defined by three concentric circles of fortifications. The outer two are of earthen rampart, protected by a moat. Four arched stone gateways are positioned at cardinal points. The inner circle is entirely limit of stone. The four gateways in these walls have large double-bent entrances; door frames and balustrades are typical features of the Kākatīya period. The four roads of the city converge on a ruined temple in the middle. Four free- standing portals leading into the temple still stand.
v1.c29.s1.t4.16
Medieval fortifications have been reported from Lal Kot (Delhi) from Deogiri (Dt. Aurangabad) and Dabhoi (Dt. Vadodara) These fortification were elaborate and built as fortresses and cities with moats and gateways.
v1.c29.s1.t4.17
For forming some idea of an ancient Hindu city one may mention Vijayanagar which remains the best preserved medieval Hindu capital town in India. An archaeological investigation of its urban lay-out and the chief monuments so far exposed, reveal sufficient information regarding the plan of the city as well as the form of individual elements viz. walls, roads, gateways, hydraulic works, residential quarters, palaces, civic buildings temples, shrines. It is situated on the bank of Tungabhadra river, regularly fortified having spectacular setting with granite landscape on the north, dominated by a gorge through which Tungabhadra river flows, to the south and west there to an extensive plain, on the South bank are the sacred shrines (around the village of Hampi). There is an irrigated valley to the south through which ancient canals still run. This separates the fortified urban core which is enclosed by a ring of massive fortification defining an elliptical zone about 4 km along its axis. Within the urban core there is an abundant evidence of habitation, temples, gateways, tanks and wells. At the south western end of the urban core, a cluster of enclosures encircled by high granite walls constitutes the royal center of the capital containing : palaces, temples, columned halls, treasury, watch towers, tanks and wells etc. Gateways are located along the roads leading into the urban core.