Lecture on Vastu Shastra and Town Planning

Introduction

• Focus on Vastu Shastra's application to town planning.
• Basic unit of analysis is the village.
• In Arthashastra, Kautilya provides a hierarchical system of settlements based on location, function, and inhabitants.
  • Dronamukha: Set of 400 or 600 villages.
  • Staniya: More than 800 villages.
• Classification based on area, location, street plan, types of residences, protective modes, and social composition.

Types of Towns (Narada Shilpa Shastra)

1. Rajdhani: Capital city, with the King's abode at the center.
2. Patana
3. Dronamukha
4. Durga: Fortified town with 12 types of forts.
5. Staniya
6. Shakhanagara: Subsidiary, developing town.
7. Karvatica: Center of 200 villages.
8. Keta: Town mainly of labor class.
9. Nigama: Market town of artisans.
10. Grama: Smaller than Nigama.
11. Mata Vihara: Residential university or village.

Village and Town Designs

• Manasara Text: Describes eight types of designs for towns.
  • Dandaka: Parallel set of straight streets, meant for priests, sages, and intellects.
  • Nandyavartha: Square or oblong shape with one to five carriage roads.
  • Sarvato Bhadra: Safe from all sides, e.g., Chandigarh.
  • Karmuca: Bow-shaped, suitable for seashore towns, e.g., Pumphar.
  • Prasthara: Couch or bed layout, e.g., Jaipur.

Road and Infrastructure Planning

• Ancient India had a robust road network.
• Vishnu Purana: Describes separate vehicular streets.
• Various types of roads mentioned:
  • Raja Marga: Three measurements (Elder: 36 ft, Madhya: 30 ft, Kanishtha: 24 ft).
  • Footpaths: Larger (4.5 ft) and Smaller (3 ft).

Assembly Halls and Public Facilities

• Every state or town must have an assembly hall (Sabha Hall).
• Samarangana Sutradhara: Proposes eight types of designs for Sabha.
• Mayamatam: Describes nine types of Sabha with details on dimensions and pillars.
• Detailed descriptions of pavilions (Mandapa) in Vastu texts.
• Include theater, art gallery, and law court designs.

Conclusion

• Discussed town planning, types of towns, designs, roads, and public facilities.
• Upcoming video will cover Temple architecture.