Town-Planning and House-Building in Ancient India according to Silpasastras
Summary
Drawing on the Śilpaśāstras and especially the Manasara, this paper reconstructs ancient Indian principles of town planning and house building. The Manasara, an extensive architectural treatise, comprises seventy chapters, of which forty‑two are devoted to the planning of towns, forts, palaces, temples and houses. The article summarises the guidelines for laying out settlements with proper orientation, street grids, drainage systems and public spaces. It describes recommended proportions and materials for houses, including foundations, walls, floors, roofs, stairways, doors and windows. Infrastructure such as wells, tanks, bridges, gates and markets is discussed, as are defensive structures like moats and walls. The author emphasises the integration of aesthetic, functional and spiritual considerations: houses and towns were designed to harmonise with the cosmos and local environment. The last sections of the paper touch on the chapters of the Manasara devoted to sculpture, which provide instructions for images of deities, animals and decorative elements. The study demonstrates the sophistication of pre‑modern Indian urbanism and architecture.
Summary reviewed by a volunteer editor.
Conclusion
The article reveals that ancient Indian architects conceived of towns and buildings as microcosms reflecting cosmic order. By distilling the prescriptions of the Manasara, it shows that urban planning in early India balanced practicality with ritual and aesthetics, resulting in enduring architectural forms.