Book Title: Critical Study Of Paumacariyam
Author(s): K R Chandra
Publisher: Research Institute of Prakrit Jainology and Ahimsa

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Page 469
________________ 440 A CRÍTICAL STUDY OF PAUMACAŘIYAN Parikhā (2.9):—The city of Rājagļha is said to be surrounded by a moat. It was a trench dug round the rampart and filled with water to keep the town safe from any attack. Prākāra :--It is called Sāla also (52.7). It was a wall or a rampart raised round the town for fortification (2.8). The ramparts of Laikā and Sāketa are said to be having beautiful gold work done on them (jambupayakaņagacittapāyāra 5.129, kañcaņaghanapāyāra 55.14 varakanagatungapāyāra 3 113). The walls of the rampart of Rājagsha are said to have cornices carved on their upper part (kavisīsayaKapiśīrşaka 2.19). Rāma's temporary settlement (Sannives a 62.35) at Larkā on the occasion of Lakşmaņa's being wounded by Rāvana is said to be having seven ramparts one following the other (62.27). Gopuradvāra :-The Sanniveśa of Rāma had three Gopuras (62.27) and many doors. The Copura was the main gate or big entrance with a constructed house on it. The king of Dasapura is said to have observed the fight between Sirihodara and Lakşmaņa from such a Gopura (33. 115). The Nandāvatanivesa of Rāma at Ayodhyā had one Gopura and many other small gates (bahudāram 80.2). The Gopuras' are referred to be facing four quarters while the dvaras were the side doors comparatively small in size. Some times Gopura and Dvāra are synonymous (62.32-33). The main gates of the temporary Rāmapuri are referred to as Dvāras, not Gopuras (35.35). A chief guard (Sälarakkha 52.8) was stationed on the main gate and the door-keepers on the doors (Dāravāla 17.18). During the night and at times of emergency these gates were closed (17.18; 67.17; 86.38). Attacking armies used to break open the gates to enter and seize the city. Attālaka :- The referenee to it at 5.134 indicates that the rampart had watch towers of military posts” attached to it. Durga :-There is a reference to the Dugga of Daśapura (nayaram visamaduggapāyāram 33.77). Durga means a fort. It might be a reference to a town fortified with rampart. There are various kinds of Durgas or forttfications such as hill fort, forest-fort, water-fort, clay. fort, chariot-fort, divine-fort and mixed-fort". Apaņa: - The Āpapa was the market place which remained busy with the activities of merchants coming from various places (2.10). Rathyā and mărga : --The town had well laid roads and streets. Rathyās or Racchās (67.24) were the roads on which the chariots could 1. The Jatakas reveal that the outer walls of the cities were pierced with four gates in their middle facing the four quarters - Vide India as known to Panini p. 139. 2. See EHA, p. 5. 3. EHA, p. 5.

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