Ancient Indian Town Planning Principles

Ancient Indian Town Planning
Paradigm | 2016
ANCIENT INDIAN TOWN

PLANNING PARADIGM
Prepared byAnugrah Nagaich
ANUGRAH NAGAICH|CSRE,
April,
1. Cities in Mythological, Literary and Epic Narratives

2. Comprehensible Record of History
3. The Main Philosophy
4. Vedic Literature
5. Vedic and Ancient Principles for Planning the Cities
6. Kautilyas Arthashastra
7. Indus Valley Civilization
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Contents
Sanskrit Epics:
Ramayana: Ayodhya and Lanka- advance stage of city life
Mahabharata
Kautilyas Arthashastra: A Treatise on statecraft and

polity, image of a well-planned city where people of
diverse occupations interact, although within a given
framework
Kalidasas Play: Shakuntala
April,

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Cities in Mythological, Literary and

Epic Narratives
Can be categorized into broad two phenomenons:

Studies of built forms: architectural & planning excellence
Studies of ancient literature: treatises in Sanskrit & regional
languages
Furthermore, literature can be broadly classified into

two broad subdivisions:
Proper Architectural Shilpa Works
Non-Architectural Adjuncts: lores expounded in Puranas,
Agamas, Tantras etc.
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Comprehensible Record of History
Non-Architectural Adjunct Texts with Category of

3. Buddhist Literature Jatakas
Literature
(Jatakas and
Pali Canons
Canons)
S.No Literature
. Category
1. Vedic Literature
SubCategory
Vedas and
Samhitas
Brahmanas
Upavedas
(Sutra
Works) or
Sutras
Treatise Title
Sutras of Gobhila and

Khadira
Sulba Sutra or Sulva Sutra
Epic Literature

Ramayana
Mahabharat
a
2.
Rig Veda
Sukla Yajurveda
Krsna Yajurveda
Atharva Veda
Aitareya Brahmana
atapatha Brahmana
Silpaveda
Samkahyana Grhya Sutra
or Samkhya Grhya Sutra
and Asvalayan Grhya Sutra
4. Kautilyas
Arthashastra
5. Puranas

6. Agamas

7.
Tantras
8.
Brihat Samhita
9.
Pratistha Works
10.
Miscellaneous
Works
Shukra Niti Sara
Agni Purana
Garud Purana
Narad Purana
Brahmand Purana
Bhavisya Purana
Matasya Purana
Linga Purana
Vayu Puranaa
Skand Purana
Kamikagama
Karnagama
Suprabhedagma
Vaikhanasagama
Amsumadbhedagama
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Proper Architectural Shilpa Works
April,
The human body is considered as a miniature Universe

(Bumer, 1988); tenet followed also in Sthapatya (ancient
Indian architecture) as well as in Ayurveda (ancient Indian
system of medicine).
Conceptually Sthapatya considers the building structure to be
in harmony with man and nature.
For making buildings in harmony with man (dweller), system of
measurement based upon human proportions was developed.
It was considered that by following this system the buildings
became an extension of the human body thus making it
beneficial to the dweller at physical and meta-physical levels.
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The Main Philosophy
The dwellers body parts were used as a standard unit of

measurement and the building was designed using multiples or
divisions of these units.
Small dimensions were worked out on the basis of Matrangula
(digit). For building dimensions, the hasta (cubit) was taken as
standard unit for measurement. The building proportions were
then worked out at two levels using hasta.
First, dimensions and proportions of the building were
established as per the ancient Indian norms for aesthetics. At the
second level Aayadi (set of mystic formulae) were calculated. To
suit the Aayadi, adjustments were then made in the established
aesthetic dimensions.
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The Main Philosophy
Design was further worked out in plan using a square or rectangle which was
subdivided into smaller units - The grids.
This basic matrix popularly known as Vstu Purusha Mandala is the mystical
diagram in Sthapatya. It represents the manifest form of the cosmic being that
facilitates the inception of design.
Each of its lines and divisions hold within them layers of meaning, within which
the intricacies of design unfold (Chakrabarti, 1999).
Vstu Purusha Mandala is the networking that weaves the Purusha (A
primordial form in all its wholeness) with Vastu (matter) making it Vstu (Act of
matter becoming forms and patterns).
It is the networking of environment, systems (astrology, ritual, visual etc.) and
their subsystems to harmonize the total human systems with the total
environmental systems at all interactive levels of Mind, Energies and the
Material entities (Chhaya, 2006).
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The Main Philosophy

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The Main Philosophy
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This approach in ancient Indian architectural design satisfies all the

parameters such as astrological observations, eternal beauty, laws of
nature etc. and results in a wonderful, beautiful and dignified structure
(Coomaraswamy, 1908).
It harmonizes various aspects such as aesthetics, construction quality,
environment, material-emotional-spiritual aspects of life of the dweller.
The existence of ancient monuments in India can be taken as an
indication of presence of multidisciplinary and multilateral knowledge
base (Chhaya, 1998).
This knowledge base includes design principles, astrology, astronomy
material sciences, managerial skills and mathematics etc.
Indian science of Vastu and Vaastu has recognized that the universe is
subject to a mathematical formula and architecture is yet another
manifestation of this formula (Sthapati, 1999).
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The Main Philosophy
Comprises of: Vedas & Samhitas, Brahmanas, Upvedas and

Sutras
Vedas:
A large corpus of texts originating in Ancient India
Form the oldest layer of Sanskrit literature and the oldest sacred
texts of Hinduism
According to Hindu tradition, the Vedas are not of human
agency", being supposed to have been directly revealed, and thus
are called sruti ("what is heard")
The class of "Vedic texts" is aggregated around the four canonical
Samhitas or proper Vedas i.e. Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Sam Veda and
Arth Veda.
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Vedic Literature
Brahmanas:
Part of the Hindu Sruti literature.
They are commentaries on the four Vedas, detailing the proper
performance of rituals.
Each Vedic shakha (school) had its own Brahmana, and it is not
known how many of these texts existed but about 20 existed in the
modern times.
Each Brahmana is associated with one of the four Vedas, and within
the tradition of that Veda with a particular Shakha or School.
The various architectural references are available on following
Brahamanas. They occupy elloborate descriptions of various
religious structures the Yupa, the Vedi and the Samsana.
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Vedic Literature
Sutra Work or Sutras:

In Hinduism the 'sutra' is a distinct type of literary composition, based on
short aphoristic statements, generally using various technical terms.
The literary form of the sutra was designed for concision, as the texts
were intended to be memorized by students in some of the formal
methods of scriptural study.
Since each line is highly condensed, another literary form arose in which
commentaries on the sutras were added, to clarify and explain them.
The sutra literature contains a treasure house for Indian art. They are our
earlier Vastushastras.
Sutra works like Samkahyana Grhya Sutra and Asvalayan Grhya Sutra
devotes 3 chapters each on house building.
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Vedic Literature
Sthapatya Veda (part of Atharva Veda): layout of a city

Smriti Shastra: street layouts (micro and macro)
Vaastu Shastra:
Treatises on architectural planning, construction and design
Matters related to site selection, site planning and orientation
Quality of soil, water resources, planting of trees and groves
Arthashastra: environmental management

Mansara Shilpa Shastra: Gram Vidhana and Nagara
Vidhana
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Vedic and Ancient Principles for

Planning the Cities
Vedic principles of planning use the following 4 Vedas:
Rig Veda
Sam Veda
Yajur Veda
Athar Veda
There are innumerable references in Rig Veda which indicate a

very advanced Vastu Shilpa
Vastu Shastra ( ), Priccha ( ), Manasollasa (),
Prasadamandana ( ), Shilparatnam () etc are
treatise on architecture and planning based on Vedic hymns
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Planning the Cities

Planning the Cities
Chandura square
Agatara rectangle
Vritta circle
Kritta vritta elliptical
Gola vritta full circle
The cities were laid according to various elements of Vedas:

Sthapatya Veda city layout
Smriti Shastra street layout on macro and micro level
Vastu Shastra building planning and design, site selection, service layout, landscaping and
building orientation
Vastu Purusha mandala design according to the principles of sacred geometry based on
cosmological theories
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Vastu Shastra endorses 5 town shapes:
Temples (as mentioned in the Yajurveda hymns)- Link

between the cosmic and the human (worship)
Cultural centres: festive and ritual activities

Educational: pathshala
Social Life: public meetings and social gatherings
Significant Economic Influence in Villages: donations went for
Nagara development and employments
Mathas: monastic centre of education and pilgrim rest house
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Planning the Cities
Kautilyas Arthashastra

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Considered to be a
comprehensive treaty and
addresses those entire
essential fundamentals
specific to the practices of
design and development of
human settlements
Source- Kautilya: The Arthashastra
by L.N. Rangarajan
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Congested town, should be freed of surplus population, which should then be

housed in a new place
Towns positioned to help each other
Sangrahan (collection register / tax collector) - 10 villages, sarvatik among
200, dronamukh (chief) among 400 and sthaniya among 800
Migrated people in new settlement exempted from payment of taxes for some
years
New village
Higher proportion of agriculturists and shudras

Market - sale of goods received from traders on highways
Dams - constructed over rivers nalas
Temples and gardens should be provided
Arrangements for the aged, the children and informal persons
Cereals and wealth will grow if the agriculturists are kept busy. Attempts should be made to
protect and increase quarries, forests and canals
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A city - located centrally to facilitate trade and

commerce
The site - large in area, and near a perennial water
body
Shape - circular, rectangular or square as would suit
the topography
Separate areas for marketing different goods
Wall around the town, - 6 dandas high and 12 dandas
wide. Beyond this wall there should be three moats of
14, 12and 10 wide to be constructed four armlengths apart. Depth 3/4th of width
Three-east west and three north-south roads, should
divide the town
The main roads should be 8 dandas wide and other
roads 4 dandas wide
1 well for 10 houses
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Indus Valley Civilization

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Also referred to as Harappan

Civilization and SaraswathiSindhu Civilization
Bigger than Egyptian or
Mesopotamian Civilization
(circa 3500-1300 BC)
Between Indus River and the
Ghaggar-Hakra River (Pakistan
and North-Western India)
Mature Period: 2600-2000 BC
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Sophisticated & advanced urban culture

Streets in perfect grid patterns in both Mohenjodoro & Harappa
Worlds first sanitation system
Individual wells and separate covered drains along the streets for waste
water
Houses opened to inner courtyards & smaller lanes
Impressive dockyards, granaries, warehouses, brick platforms & protective
walls
Massive citadels protected the city from floods & attackers
City dwellers traders & artisans
All the houses had access to water & drainage facilities
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Town Planning Concepts
Development of Cities
Cities grew out of earlier villages that existed in the same
locality for < 100 yrs
Grew in size & density and surrounded by numerous towns &
villages
Cities interlinked by trade & economic activities, religious
beliefs, social relations etc
Vast agricultural lands, rivers & forests by pastoral
communities , fisher folk and hunters surrounded each city
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Important Cities
Size (in hectares)
Mohenjodaro
200
35000-41000
Harappa
150
23500
Ganweriwala
80
Rakhigarhi
80
Dholavira
100
Rehman Dehri
22
12000
Development of Cities
Population

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City
Classification of Towns
Small Villages/Hamlets: 0-10 hectares
Large Towns: 10-50 hectares
Cities: 50 hectares
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In 1750, India accounted for almost onequarter of the Worlds manufacturing

output..
In the following decades, the
industrialization of the West was based
upon, and led to the de-industrialization
of the rest of the world..
~ Samual Hutington, Clash of
Civilizations, pp.86-87

Ancient Indian Town Planning Principles

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