Essay name: Architectural data in the Puranas
Author:
Sharda Devi
Affiliation: Himachal Pradesh University / Department of History
This essay studies ancient Indian architectural science as found in technical treatises and the Puranas, with special reference to the Matsya, Garuda, Agni and Bhavishya Puranas. These texts detail ancient architectural practices, covering temple and domestic designs, dimensional specifications, and construction rules.
Chapter 4 - Forts
14 (of 31)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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treasures to safety in times of danger, but not the fort.' Kautilya again
contradicts this opinion and observes,
49 It is in the fort that the treasury and the army are
safely kept, and it is from the fort that secret war,
control over one's partisans, the upkeep of the army,
the reception of allies and the driving out of the
enemies and of the wild tribes are successfully
practised. In the absence of forts, the treasury is
exposed to the enemy, for it, seems that for those
who own forts there is no destruction.
It is apparent that the importance of forts was greatly appreciated
during the Mauryan period. The wealth of the kingdom was secured in the
forts which were protected by able and loyal officials.
According to MP the treasure should be kept in the southern portion
of the palace, to the further south of which should be the place for the
elephants. The elephant yard should have its doorway to the east or to the
north. The arsenal should be located to the south-east. The kitchen and
houses for other works should be provided in the south-east. The houses
of the priest and the palaces of ministers, vedic professors and students,
physicians, stables and cow-sheds and store houses shall be provided to
the left of the king's mansion. The stables should face the north or the
south. It is not advisable to have them face any other direction.
50
