A History of Agriculture in India v1.c28.s2.1

v1.c28.s2.1

Chandragupta's capital, Pataliputra, on the site of the modern Patna, is described by Megasthenes as a splendid city, standing on the northern bank of the Son. It was the shape of a parallelogram, roughly nine miles by two [14.5 × 3.² kilometres], and was surrounded by a broad, deep moat, which received the drainage and was connected at its two extremities with the river. The city wall was a massive timber palisade, with drawbridges, towers and gates at regular intervals. The town itself was well planned and laid out, with inns, gaming-houses, theatres, race-courses, and meeting-halls for guilds and religious sects. There were handsome bazaars where indigenous and foreign goods were displayed for sale. The streets were crowded with a busy and many-coloured throng of men and animals. The houses were two or three storeys high, and, as they were mostly wooden, elaborate precautions were taken against an outbreak of fire. In the heart of the city was the royal palace, which stood in the midst of a walled-in park, with ornamental trees, tame peacocks and pheasants, and lakes full of sacred fish.