Town Planning in Ancient India: In Moral Perspective

Abstract

This paper is concern with the significance of morality in planning the urbanization where man can improve his conditions by ethically designing and understanding the location, direction and disposition of a construction that have a direct bearing on the human being or human-settlement. In India, the principle of the Varnashrama Dharma develop a social stratification of the people in general and the functionaries of the state, led to a segregation of the classes following different pursuits; and the same caste or people same profession were placed in the ward so that a uniformity of life and consequent economic efficiency and progress were secured. So every site was divided into different blocks or plots, one being meant for each class. It also explores the moral activity concerned with the way in which people live in relation to its surrounding. The key to the individual and social ethics of Hinduism is the conception of Dharma. The affirmative attitude of Hinduism towards life has been emphasized by its recognition of four legitimate and basic desires known as "Purushartha” – Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha. So forth while planning of town, location and surrounding is taken into account and further suggests that planning is the moral framework by which communities and individuals confront their relationship with the environment. Finally, it examines the Chandigarh city plan and discusses the relevance of Vastu Purusha Mandala.