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 5 - Palace architecture
5 (of 20)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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dwelling-house with the garden pavilion or pleasure house, of which
accounts are given in the Buddhist literature. 21
SELECTION OF SITE FOR PALACE
All silpa texts agree that the palaces should be located in the center of the
town. The MP and AP says that the king should make his residence within
22 24
the fort. Kautilya says that the palace was constructed in the center of
the town along with temple. He further states that the palace should
occupy one-ninth of the total area inside the fortifications of the town and
shall be located slightly towards north. 23 The Pur膩峁嘺s said that the palace
was to be constructed on the square-plan of sixty-four squares Bhoja
states that the king's palace should be erected in the pada presided over
by 'Mitra', bestower of fame, grandeur and victory. 25 The Appr. 26 stipulates
the same kind of location for the palaces of the kings in the towns as in
Artha艣膩stra. It is evident that the safety and protection of the palace is
given prime consideration in placing it in the heart of the town.
Kautilya says that royal buildings should be constructed on firm
terrain. In the midst of the houses of the people of all the four castes and
to the north from the center of the ground inside the fort, the king's palace,
facing either the north or the east shall be constructed, occupying one-
ninth of the whole site inside the fort.
