Ancient City Planning: Insights from Manasara Vastushastra
- Shubham Mishra
- Sep 12, 2024
- 7 min read
Exploring Traditional Principles for Sacred Spaces, Optimal Layouts, and Harmonious Living
#CityPlanning #Architecture #VastuShastra #VillageDesign #Manasara #AncientWisdom #SustainablePlanning #VastuShastra #SacredSpaces #ArchitecturalPrinciples #TraditionalPlanning #CulturalHeritage #HarmoniousLiving #UrbanPlanning #SustainableArchitecture
In ancient India, the design of City/ Villages was deeply influenced by cosmic, religious, and practical considerations. The Manasara Vastushastra, a classical text on architecture and urban planning, provides detailed guidance on the layout of villages. The Manasara Vastushastra, specifically, outlines eight types of City/ Village layouts, each with its own form, measurements, street layouts, and key features. These designs were aimed at creating harmony between human settlements, nature, and the divine order. In this blog, we will explore the layout of City/ Villages based referencing verses from Manasara Vastushastra.
दण्डकं सर्वतोभद्रं नन्द्यावर्तं तु पद्मकम्।
स्वस्तिकं प्रस्तरं चैव कार्मुकं च चतुर्मुखम्।
एवं चाष्टविधं ग्रामं तत्तद्रूपेण संज्ञितम्।।
The eight types of villages are: "Dandaka, Sarvatobhadra, Nandyavarta, Padmaka, Swastika, Prastara, Karmuka, and Chaturmukha", each named after its distinct form. These eight layouts are the primary models described in the Shastra, each designed for specific terrains, population sizes, and functional needs.
1. Dandaka Village Layout
The Dandaka village layout is characterized by its linear arrangement. Named after the "danda" (staff or rod), this design is typically used for villages situated along rivers or roads, where a linear form is advantageous.
Key Features:
Shape: Linear. The village extends in a straight line, symbolizing order and simplicity.
दण्डकं तु तथा ग्रामं यः समो धनुषार्धकः।
The Dandaka village should be laid out with a straight street extending for half a bow’s length.
Measurement:
Main Street: The width is approximately 1 danda (6 feet). The length depends on the village's size but must be sufficiently long to accommodate all residential and public buildings.
Side Streets: Typically narrower, at 0.5 danda.
Street Layout: The main street runs through the center, with houses and public buildings on either side. The street’s linear nature makes it easy for residents to access amenities and for goods to be transported.
Gates: Gates are placed at both ends of the main street. This ensures controlled access and exit.
द्वये तु द्वारयोर्ध्वं तु समानमुदयेद्भवेत्।
Gates should be placed at both ends of the central street, ensuring balanced entry and exit.
Residential Areas: Houses are arranged symmetrically along the main street, with public spaces interspersed for accessibility.
The Dandaka Village Features:
2. Sarvatobhadra Village Layout
The Sarvatobhadra village layout is square or rectangular. Its name, meaning "auspicious in all directions," signifies its balanced and protective design.
Key Features:
Shape: Square or rectangular, ensuring symmetry and uniformity.
सर्वतोभद्रं चतुर्द्वारं चतुष्कोणं समन्ततः।
Sarvatobhadra has four gates, one on each side, and is square shaped with symmetry in all directions.
Measurement:
Side Length: Each side of the square or rectangle is measured in danda, depending on the population size. Commonly, each side is around 4-6 danda.
Street Width: 1 danda.
Street Layout: Streets intersect at right angles, forming a grid pattern that divides the village into four quadrants. This layout supports organized development and ease of navigation.
Gates: Four gates are positioned at each cardinal direction, facilitating entry from all sides.
चतुर्द्वारं समोन्मात्रं तु तस्मात् समन्ततः।
The four gates are positioned equally around the village, providing access from all sides.
Central Space: The central area often contains the main temple or community space, serving as the village’s heart.
The Sarvatobhadra Village Features:
Feature | Description |
Shape | Square or rectangular with symmetrical layout. |
Street Layout | Grid pattern with intersecting streets. |
Side Length | 4-6 danda depending on village size. |
Street Width | 1 danda (approx. 6 feet). |
Gates | Four gates at cardinal directions. |
Central Space | Often contains a main temple or community space. |
3. Nandyavarta Village Layout
The Nandyavarta village is designed in a spiral or circular pattern, symbolizing continuous growth and energy flow.
Key Features:
Shape: Circular or spiral, reflecting spiritual and cosmic harmony.
नन्द्यावर्तं वृत्ताकारं मण्डलं वा यथाक्रमम्।
The Nandyavarta village is circular or spiral, arranged concentrically.
Measurement:
Radius of Circles: The central circle (or mandala) has a radius of 2 danda, with additional concentric circles extending outward. The distance between circles is typically 1 danda.
Street Layout: Concentric streets radiate outward from a central point, often reserved for a temple or a sacred space.
वृत्तरेखाभिराच्छन्नं यत्र तत्राभिनिर्मितम्।
The circular village is encompassed by a series of round streets forming layers.
Gates: Gates are placed at intervals along the outermost ring, allowing access to different layers of the village.
Table of Nandyavarta Village Features:
Feature | Description |
Shape | Circular or spiral with concentric circles. |
Street Layout | Concentric circles radiating from the center. |
Radius of Circles | Central circle 2 danda radius, additional layers 1 danda apart. |
Street Width | Varies, typically 1 danda. |
Gates | Positioned at intervals along the outermost ring. |
4. Padmaka Village Layout
The Padmaka village is lotus-shaped, symbolizing purity and beauty. Streets radiate outward from the central space, mimicking the petals of a lotus flower.
Key Features:
Shape: Lotus-shaped, with streets radiating from a central hub.
पद्मकं द्वादशारं स्यात् पतनं कमलाकारम्।
The Padmaka village has twelve spokes, radiating outwards like the petals of a lotus.
Measurement:
Number of Spokes: Twelve main streets radiate from the center. Each street is 1.5 danda wide.
Central Area: Typically occupies a space of 2 danda radius.
Street Layout: Streets form radii from the center, dividing the village into twelve sections or "petals." Each section may serve different functions (residential, commercial, etc.).
तत्र सर्वं सुविस्तीर्णं मध्यं यत्रोपन्यासः।
At the center lies a large open space, from which the streets radiate outward.
Gates: Gates are placed at the ends of each of the twelve spokes, providing multiple entry points.
The Padmaka Village Features:
Feature | Description |
Shape | Lotus-shaped, with radiating streets. |
Number of Spokes | Twelve main streets radiating from the center. |
Street Width | 1.5 danda (approx. 9 feet). |
Central Area | 2 danda radius, typically used for a temple or central space. |
Gates | Placed at the ends of each spoke. |
5. Swastika Village Layout
The Swastika village is cross-shaped, with streets forming a cross pattern. This layout signifies stability and auspiciousness.
Key Features:
Shape: Cross-shaped, with streets intersecting at the center.
स्वस्तिकं चतुर्मार्गं स्यात् मध्यं तोरणं भवेत्।
The Swastika village has four main streets extending from the center, forming a cross.
Measurement:
Main Streets: Each street is 1.5 danda wide.
Intersections: The central intersection, where the streets meet, is wide enough to accommodate public activities and ceremonies.
Street Layout: Four main streets intersect at the center, creating a cross-shaped layout. The village is divided into four quadrants.
चतुष्पथं सुविस्तीर्णं मध्यं मंडलं स्थितम्।
The streets intersect at the center, where the main square or sacred structure is located.
Gates: Four gates are placed at the ends of the cross, aligned with the cardinal directions.
The Swastika Village Features:
Feature | Description |
Shape | Cross-shaped with streets intersecting at the center. |
Street Layout | Four main streets forming a cross pattern. |
Street Width | 1.5 danda (approx. 9 feet). |
Central Space | Wide intersection for public activities. |
Gates | Four gates at cardinal directions. |
6. Prastara Village Layout
The Prastara village is rectangular, often chosen for administrative or larger settlements due to its structured design.
Key Features:
Shape: Rectangular, symbolizing order and efficiency.
प्रस्तरं चतुर्वर्गं दीर्घं समविस्तरम्।
The Prastara village is rectangular, with equal proportions along its length and breadth.
Measurement:
Length and Breadth: Each side of the rectangle is measured in danda, usually longer than in square layouts. Commonly, the length is 8 danda and the breadth is 6 danda.
Street Width: Streets are generally 1 danda wide.
Street Layout: Streets run parallel to the longer side of the rectangle, forming a grid pattern. This layout is ideal for organized development and efficient land use.
Gates: Gates are placed at the shorter sides of the rectangle, aligned with the width of the village.
The Prastara Village Features:
Feature | Description |
Shape | Rectangular with equal proportions. |
Street Layout | Parallel streets forming a grid pattern. |
Length and Breadth | Length: 8 danda, Breadth: 6 danda |
Street Width | 1 danda (approx. 6 feet). |
Gates | Positioned on the shorter sides of the rectangle. |
7. Karmuka Village Layout
The Karmuka village follows a bow-shaped layout, designed to fit the contours of natural landscapes like rivers or hills.
Key Features:
Shape: Bow-shaped, mimicking the curve of a bow.
कार्मुकं तु धनुःसादृशं वृत्तं शूराधिशं च तत्।
The Karmuka village is shaped like a bow, representing strength and resilience.
Measurement:
Curved Layout: The main street follows the curve of the bow, with varying widths depending on the topography. Typically, the width is about 1 danda.
Street Layout:Streets follow the curved outline of the village, with additional streets running parallel to the main curve.
Gates:Gates are positioned along the curve, allowing access at various points.
The Karmuka Village Features:
Feature | Description |
Shape | Bow-shaped, following natural contours. |
Street Layout | Curved streets along the bow’s outline. |
Street Width | Approximately 1 danda (approx. 6 feet). |
Gates | Positioned along the curve of the bow. |
8. Chaturmukha Village Layout
The Chaturmukha village has a four-faced design, with streets extending from a central point in four directions, symbolizing openness and expansion.
Key Features:
Shape: Four-faced, with streets radiating from the center.
चतुर्मुखं ग्रामे तु चार्मणं स्याद् विचक्षणम्।
The Chaturmukha village is laid out with four faces, extending in all directions.
Measurement:
Central Area: Typically 2 danda wide, serving as the focal point.
Main Streets: Each street extends outward, 1.5 danda wide.
Street Layout:Streets extend from the central point in four directions, creating a cross-like pattern with four main roads intersecting at the center.
Gates:Four gates are positioned at the ends of the main streets, aligned with the cardinal directions.
The Chaturmukha Village Features:
Feature | Description |
Shape | Four-faced with streets radiating outward. |
Central Area | Central point, typically 2 danda wide. |
Main Streets | Extend outward in four directions. |
Street Width | 1.5 danda (approx. 9 feet). |
Gates | Four gates aligned with cardinal directions. |
Conclusion
The Manasara Shastra offers a rich tapestry of village layouts, each meticulously designed to harmonize with its surroundings and meet the needs of its inhabitants. From the linear simplicity of the Dandaka, circular like Nandyavarta, to the symmetrical beauty of the Sarvatobhadra, each layout embodies a unique approach to spatial organization and community life. These ancient guidelines not only reflect a deep understanding of architectural principles but also a profound connection to natural and spiritual elements.
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