Terminologies
Town planning - fortification & roads
Sr. No.
Term in Devanagari
Term in Roman
Meaning
Description
1
प्राकार
Praakaar
Rampart
The towns are supposed to be surrounded by a strong rampart. These are of three types - small, medium & big each 12, 10 & 8 hasta in width and 17, 15 & 13 hasta in height respectively. It shouldn't be taller or shorter than the max. & min. height mentioned here & is not to have height in even hasta.
2
परिखा
Parikha
Moat
The rampart around the town is surrounded by moat for defence.
3
अट्टाल
Attala
Watchtower
The rampart should be provided with sufficient watchtowers. These are present at a distance of 100 hasta from each other.
4
रथ्या
Rathya
Street
Different types of streets are defined in the text according to their hierarchy
5
महाद्वार
Mahadwar
Big gate
These gates are present on the central royal roads of the town. They are four in number in the four directions. There are three types of these gates with 9, 8 or 7 hasta width. Minimum width of these roads is 6 hasta. These are the biggest points of entries to the town with enough width & heights for riders on horses.
6
राजमार्ग
Rajmarg
Royal road
These are a pair of central roads in a town, perpendicular to each other and connecting the Mahadwars.
7
घण्टामार्ग/ मृद्
Ghantamarg
Peripheral/ ring road
These are present surrounding a town inside the rampart having same width as the royal roads.
8
उपरथ्या
Upa-rathya
Secondary street
These connect with the main streets and are half of them in terms of width.
9
महारथ्या
Maharathya
Big road
One of the main roads in the town, these are of three types with widths of 12, 10 & 8 hastas respectively.
10
यानमार्ग
Yaanmarg
Driveway
Made in four lanes, it is divided in two parts.
11
जङ्घापथ
Jangha path
Footpath
To be constructed on either side of the yaanmarg. Width varies with the city size.
The words given above come in the 10th chapter of Samarangana Sutradhara. The chapter deals with planning of a township.