Town Planning depicted in Kautilya Arthashatra.pptx

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1. Town Planning as depicted in Kautilya Arthashatra Dr. Virag Sontakke Assistant Professor A.I.H.C. & Archaeology Banaras Hindu University

2. अर्थशास्त्र भारतीय साहित्य का प्राचीनतम ग्रंथ अर्थशास्त्र : नगर -वास्तु का विकसित रूप वास्तुशास्त्र विषयक दिशा-निर्देश, जो कालांतर में भी प्रासंगिक गृह क्षेत्रामाराम: सेंतुबंधस्तटाकमाधारो वा वास्तु वास्तु : घर, खेत , बाग, बगीचे, सीमाबन्ध, तालाब, एवं बान्ध

3. Kautilya Arthashatra Written by Kautilya , also known as Chanakya and Vishnugupta . Period : around 300 B.C.E, Arthashastra literally means ‘ Scripture of Wealth ’. It covers a wide range of topics like statecraft, politics, military warfare, law, accounting systems, taxation, fiscal policies, civil rules, internal and foreign trade, etc. Subjects including medicine, geology, metallurgy, measures of length, tables of weights and divisions of time etc. Often referred to as a guide to Political Sciences and Fundamentals of Management, in ancient India. Town planning and security of King

4. Discovery of the manuscript Mysore Oriental Library (now called the Oriental Research Institute) is one of the most famous libraries in India.  This library had a librarian Rudrapatnam Shamashastry , he discovered the manuscript in 1905.  In 1909, Shastry says that it is genuine work of Kautilya , and published in a brief. The Washington University awarded a Doctorate to Shastry Royal Asiatic Society awarded its Fellowship to Shastry . The Government of India gave him the title ‘ Mahamahopadhyaya ’. The Maharaja of Mysore awarded him with the title “ Arthashastra Visharada ” in1926. Varanasi Sanskrit Mandali gave him title Vidyalankara  and  Panditaraja   Shamashastry became, Director of Archaeological Researches in Mysore, where he would continue to work until his retirement in 1929.  Dr. Asutosh Mukherji, Vice Chancellor of the Calcutta University, invited Shamashastry to Calcutta in 1919, to delivered ten lectures on the discovery and its content. These lectures were subsequently published in Mysore under the title ‘ Kautilya’s Arthashastra ’ 

5. Town Planning as depicted in Kautilya Arthashatra State Cities Villages forts Fortifications

6. Sthānīya   is to be set up in the centre of 800 villages . Also a capital city It served as a capital and the main administrative town of a janapada and the treasury of the kingdom. 2. D ronaṃukha   in the centre of 400 villages . It was located at the mouth of a river and served as a port city. 3. K hārvātika   in the centre of 200 villages . Karvatika was another administrative town 4. S aṅgrahaṇa   in the midst of 10 villages. Smallest administrative division Administrative Divisions Based on the Size of Population

7. 800 VILLAGES 400 VILLAGES 200 VILLAGES 10 VILLAGES

8. Villages Hierarchy of the administrative divisions. The smallest division was a village. An ideal villages consist hundred families of peasant. Ideal Area : Krosa (2 km) Village should protected by: Timber stockade, Nearby villages Wild tribes or natural hazards. Kautilya encourages migration to the countryside in order to prevent overcrowding into the cities.

9. Location of Country, City & Villages The country was divided into four provinces. Town as the headquarters of each province. The main city was fortified and located in the central part of the country The main city shall have perennial source of water . The villages located at countryside amidst pasture lands and agriculture lands. Water from rivers and lakes was impounded for agriculture with the help of dams and embanked. Forests for economic benefits were grown adjoining to the countryside. The frontier regions were marked with elephant forests and jungles. The jungles were inhabited by the tribes who possessed the knowledge of Regional Geography and its use in warfare. These tribes were given certain special rights and were not completely under the control of the king. The frontiers were protected by the forts built especially on the trade routes to other countries.

10. Other Settlements Other settlements are classified into different categories. Nagara was a settlement which was surrounded by a wall and a moat Panya-Pattan : was a commercial town, where all commercial activities and dealings were performed. Pattan : It was a large commercial port, situated on the bank of a river or sea. Trading towns were frequented by traders from distant lands coming on commercial missions.

11. Qualities of a good Country Possessed of capital cities both in the centre and the extremities of the kingdom Repulsive to enemies; Powerful enough to put down neighbouring kings; Free from muddy, rocky, uneven and desert tracts, Away from tigers, wild beasts and large tracts of wilderness; Beautiful to look at, containing fertile lands, full of cattle Contain mines, timber and elephant forests and pasture grounds; Containing ample water not depending on rain Rich in various kinds of commercial articles; Capable of bearing the burden of a vast army and heavy taxation Inhabited by agriculturalists of good and active character Full of intelligent masters and servants and Loyal and good character

12. Plan of the Capital City Ideally the city was of geometrical form Normally square, so as to allow its layout to conform to the cosmological principles of urban planning It was surrounded by a series of moats, fed by a perennial source of water containing crocodile

13. City An earthen rampart surmounted by brick-built parapets and towers On each side it is recommended that three gates should be located. Three royal roads to run east-west and three north-south, dividing the interior of the city into sixteen wards.

14. King palace The king’s palace, situated in two north-central wards Around it the houses of the four castes North : Brahman South : Vaisya East : Kshatriya West : Sudra

15. Around the Palace North : Homes of Brahmans North : Residences of ministers North: Deity of the city, tanks, monasteries, ironsmiths and jewellers. South: Houses of merchants, South: warehouses and workshops, South: Restaurants, timberyards, stables East : elephant stables, East : store houses, East : the royal kitchen, artisans, troops and the treasury. West: Houses of the lower classes West: Textiles artisans West: Artisans skins, mats, weapons and other goods

16. राजप्रासाद अन्त : पुर : राजप्रासाद को अत्यधिक महत्व राजा की सुरक्षा केंद्र में राजप्रासाद का स्वतंत्र प्रासाद हो जिसके मध्य आज का प्रासाद स्थित हो राजप्रासाद में आने-जाने के लिए स्वतंत्र मार्ग हो गुप्त मार्ग/सुरंगो की व्यवस्था हो अथवा पोले खम्बों के भीतर चढ़ने उतरने की व्यवस्था हो यदि प्रासाद की रचना शत्रु जैन जाए तो उसमें परिवर्तन हो राजप्रासाद में अग्नि शमन का प्रबंध हो राजप्रासाद के पीछे : रनिवास, प्रसूता, बीमार स्त्रियों के लिए अलग-अलग तीन आवास हो इसी के पास, छोटे उद्यान एवं सरोवर हो जहाँ राजकुमार एवं राजकुमारियाँ के लिए स्थान बनाए जाए राजमहल के आगे सुंदर उपवन हो, उसके बाद, मंत्रसभा,फिर दरबार, राजकुमार, समहर्ता, सन्निधाता आदि के कार्यालय हो

17. Inside the city Around the central crossroads of the city temples of various gods were to be built Commemorative pillars erected to successive kings. Between the houses and the defensive rampart a road encircles the city. Big roads ( Maha-marg ) to facilitate movements of troops, chariots etc. Temples of guardian deities were to be located at each corner of the built-up area.

18. Facilities provided in the city Life in the city around the palace “was governed by a law” Pollution of the streets, tanks, temples or places of pilgrimage was punished by large fines. Vessels were kept filled with water at strategic points in the city for use in emergencies Strangers could be accommodated in the city but their presence had to be reported to the city officer Unauthorised squatting in the city was strictly forbidden Reference of Night curfew

19. Outside the city Clustered of villages for protection The roads leading to the city gates shall have shrines and The roads leading to the city shall have rest houses for pilgrims Burial grounds were located outside the city Troop encampments and Troop exercise grounds

20. नगर सुरक्षा नगर के चारों और एक -एक दंड (४ हाथ) की दूरी पर क्रमश: १४, १२, १० दंड चौड़ी परिखा (खाई) खाई जितनी चौड़ी उससे चौथाई अथवा आधी गहरी तलहटी समतल एवं प्रस्तरों से निर्मित खाईं की दीवारें ईंटों से मज़बूत जलनिकासी की व्यवस्था खाई में अविरल पानी का संचार पानी में कमल एवं मगरमच्छ खाई से चार दंड दूरी पर मज़बूत वप्र (Rampart) होना चाहिए

21. वप्र (Rampart) तीन प्रकार के वप्र (Rampart) ऊर्ध्वचय : ऊपर से पतला मंचपृष्ठ : नीचे से पतला कुम्भकुक्षिक : मध्य में कुम्भकार वप्र की निव मज़बूत हो वप्र के ऊपर दिवार (प्राकार) हो प्राकार की ऊँचाई: २४ हाथ से अधिक ना हो प्राकार का ऊपरी भाग चौड़ा एवं समतल हो, जिस पर रथ चलाया जा सके। प्राकार का निर्माण पत्थरों से हो प्राकार निर्माण में लकड़ी का उपयोग ना हो (आग का भय) प्राकार के आगे अट्टालिका (बुर्ज, Bastion) जिनका आकार प्राकार के बराबर दो अट्टालिका के बीच “प्रतोली” नामक रचना हो।तथा प्रतोली एवं अट्टालिका के मध्य “इंद्रकोश” नामक विशिष्ट स्थान से धनुर्धारी बाण छोड़ें प्राकार में देवपथ (गुप्तमार्ग) प्राकार का मुख्य प्रवेशद्वार : ४ हाथी एक साथ प्रवेश कर सकें प्राकार के बाहर लौह कंटक के ढेर, लोहे के जाल, कीलें आदि की व्यवस्था हो

22. During Second urbanizations new urban settlements emerges In 6 th C. BCE fortified sites were found in India Mud, bricks, stone fortifications found in excavations Mahajanpada Period

23. old city walls 6th century BCE of Rajgir

24. Early Historic Period

25. City as a Administrative junction The city functioned primarily as an administrative centre Royal palace at the center The court The priest Houses of ministers Officers buildings

26. House Structures Houses shall erected at a distance All permanent houses shall be provided with Dunghill ( Avaskara ), water course ( bhrama ), and a well ( udapanam ). Roof of the house shall supported by iron-clamp ( Setu ) Water drain shall be drained through drain, generally 3 padas away from neighboring house. Houses were multi storied Upper storey shall provided a small but high window Window shall mot disturbed the neighboring house. Punishments and fine for violations of laws

27. Type of Durg /Fort The Arthasastra deals with forts in detail. Six major types of forts Forts were differentiated by their mode of defence. Jal Durg : This could be a water fortification ( audaka ), Giri Durg : A mountainous fortification ( parvata ), Vana Durg : A forest fortification ( vrikshya-durga ). Dhanva Durg   :Desert fort Mahi Durg : Earthen fort Nar Durg : Fort protected by soldiers (Human fort)

28. Specifications of Forts औदक दुर्ग / Jal Durg (Water fort) This type of fort is surrounded by water bodies. Sea or rivers or artificial moats, artificial lakes etc.

29. Three sub-types Prantara-durga : Located on a flat hill summit. Giri-parshva-durga : The fortifications extend down to the hill slope. 3 . Guha- durga : Located in a valley surrounded by hills, where the outposts and the signal towers are located. Giri / पर्वत Durg (Hill Fort)

30. Vana Durg (Forest fort) This type of fort situated amidst thick forest. Thick forest cover use as a preliminary line of defence. Dense forest over a distance of at least 4 kroshas (14.6 km). Sub-types Khanjana-durga : This fort was surrounded by thorny forests. 2. Sthambha-durga : This forest build wehere tall trees; lacks sufficient water located.

31. Dhanva / धान्वन Durg  or Desert Fort Also known as Maru- durga . This type of fort is surrounded by a desert. It shall has arid stretch of land which can stop the movement of enemies. Surrounded by an arid area of at least 5  yojanas  (73 km).

32. Mahi Durg (Earthen fort) Also called as Mud Fort: This type of fort is protected by earthen walls and ramparts. Walls constructed of bricks and stones can also come under this category. Sub-types 1. Mrid-durga : Surrounded by earthen walls 2. Parigha-durga : Surrounded by earthen walls, as well as stone or brick walls. The walls are at least 5.4 m high and their width is half of their height. 3. Panka-durga : Surrounded by fens or quicksand

33. Nar Durg : Fort protected by soldiers This type of fort primarily relies on man-power, i.e., a strong army to defend itself. Defended by a large number of loyal and experienced warriors. Usually a city fortress, populated by a substantial garrison.

34. Fort Security Shape of fort: circular ( vrtam ), rectangular ( dirgham ) or square ( catursram ) in. The fort should be surrounded with an artificial canal. Around the fort three ditches should be constructed. Intermediate space of the ditches should be fourteen, twelve and ten dandas . Ditch should be square at the bottom and one third as wide as at the top. There should be defensive fortification against the enemy.

35. Pataliputra The Pataliputra was the capital city of the Mauryas . The excavation show planned on a magnificent scale. The shape of city was parallelogram, girded by a wooden wall pierced with loop holes for discharge of arrows. It had a ditch for defensive and sewerage purposes, as mentioned in the Arthasastra . Megasthenes informs us: The greatest city in India length on each side of 80 stadia (14 Km), and width 15 stadia (2.5 Km) A ditch encompassed it all round, 600 feet in breadth and 30 cubits in dept. The wall was crowned with 570 towers and four and sixty gates. There were smaller doors between the main gates There were three brick lined moats ( parikha ) in quick succession. The royal palace occupied a central position has a park and fish ponds. Mahaparinibbana Sutta and Suttanipatta : “ Pataligama ” as the greatest city Mahaparinibbana Sutta: Putabhedana which means a big commercial centre.

36. Plan of the 80-columns pillared hall A Mauryan palace was found in Patna The site Kumhrar identified as palace of Maurya dynasty Here eighty stone pillars was found The pillars are arranged in 8 rows of 10 pillars each.  It is called as “Assembly hall of 80 pillars”. It is thought that the pillars sustained a wooden roof No surrounding walls, making it an open-air hall. Mauryan Pillared Hall

37. Sisupalgarh Sisupalgarh was the fortified town, square in shape. The site, is protected by a fort wall, encircled by a moat fed by a perennial stream. The defences consist of a massive mud rampart ( vapra ), overbuilt by a Prakara (wall of earthern core) with brick facings. Two gateways symmetrically pierce the fort wall on each side, articulating 8 gates, each facing a spinal straight road in a regular grid pattern. Excavation of one of the gates, built of large stone blocks with brick superstructure, revealed an elaborate plan with an ancillary passage, a guard room and lateral stairs for ascent to the upper storey of the gate house and the connected fort wall. A road passed through this gate, bearing track marks of vehicular traffic. The exposed plan of Sisupalgarh answers to the fortified square town plan of Kautilya . The site has 2 roads east-west and 2 across forming a grid with 8 nodal points for gates instead of 12.

38. Sishupalgarh Situated in Khurd district of Odisha It was a capital of ancient Kalinga It is one of the largest and best preserved fortified site Occupation started here in 700-600 centuries BCE.

39. Pillared hall

40. PALLACE ?

41. उपसंहार नगर योजना के व्यावहारिक पक्ष का अवलोकन वास्तु नियोजन में पूर्व - परंपराओं का आधार नगर योजना में सुरक्षा को प्राथमिकता प्राचीन भारत के नगर वास्तु के स्वरूप के उदाहरण राजप्रासाद को अनन्यसाधारण महत्व लम्बे समय तक ग्रंथ की उपयोगिता मानसार एवं समरांगणसूत्राधार में भी विवरण

42. Conclusion The Arthasastra provides a fairly good picture of the Mauryan urban milieu and constitutes an important source for knowing the life and conditions of the people living in towns and cities. However, references to rural life are not abundant in the Arthasastra The account of Megasthenes , about 300 B.C. also bears testimony to the sophisticated urban culture of which he had first-hand experience during his sojurn in Gangetic India. The town planning depicted in the Arthasastra was actually adhered to by the town planners. The city described by Kautilya was by every standard a strictly regimented one as specified by the excavation reports of the contemporary Mauryan cities.