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4. DESCRIPTION OF CITIES In ancient India there were many great cities like Ayodhya, Kashi, Champa, Rajagriha, Dvarka etc. which were rich and beautiful from all angles.
In Antakriddasha Sutra Dvarka has been described in details but other cities have just been mentioned with a comment Taha Uvavaie' (as mentioned in Aupapatik Sutra) where detailed descriptions of all the great cities are available.
We give here brief details of the description of cities.
The great cities were grand, secure and rich. They had ample facilities for entertainment making the inhabitants and visitors happy. They were densely populated. They abounded in domesticated animals like hen, bulls, cows and sheep. The surrounding areas were fertile and efficiently cultivated.
Anti social elements like thieves, pickpockets, vagabonds could not live there. The normal life was pleasant and peaceful. The city was filled with means of entertainment. Acrobats, dancers, gymnasts.
story tellers, singers, musicians etc. were in great number. They entertained the masses with their performances.
There were tall buildings and palaces with golden cornices shining in sunlight. There were seven storied mansions with gem embedded floorings and walls with frescoes. It was like a dance of grandeur.
The citizens of these cities were charitable making it easy for mendicants to get alms. No one remained hungry.
In spite of its dense population of families and clans they were peaceful and law and order prevailed.
The roads and streets were wide to facilitate easy commuting of citizens. The markets were arranged commoditywise with attractive displays.
The security arrangements were good and efficient. The parapet walls were very high and about eight feet thick. The strong city gates had sharp and pointed nails projecting outside like spear-heads. Adjacent to the parapet walls were made bunkers where guards rested.
There were gardens at numerous locations within the city with ponds and pools filled with lotuses. They were pleasant, attractive, beautiful and enchanting.
The description of Dvarka city in Antakriddasha Sutra follows the same pattern.
This informs about the form, town planning, beauty and grandeur of great cities of the remote past.
Antakriddasha Mahima
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