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300
Mehta
the deseription is silent on the number of gates and therefore it hinders the proper evaluation of the plan.
The door way noticed as Dāra, Torana, Gopura is evidently a mixture of Torana and Gopura. They usually do not coexist and therefore, the description indicates tautology for effect. The doors with their strong nails, Argală etc. suggest their formidable strength. Roads :
As already noted above that the number of gates is not given and therefore, one fails to understand the complete road pattern. only its generalised ideas could be envisaged.
From the gate the Rāyamagga moved in the interior. Its length and breadth is not available. Traffic :
On these roads heavy traffic with elephants, horses chairots, palanquins and pedastrians is noted. This description indicates a fairly heavy traffic on sufficiently broad main roads.
These descriptions are silent on the nature of the level of road surface, but its cleaning, and occassional sprinkling of water, suggest the usual dusty roads. The actual roads with paved and unpaved road surface, efforts at levelling etc. are noticed in archaeological work. Road Mesh :
The town-plan has an important aspect of the road mesh. It develops different patterns. The Angas note Simghadiya, Tiga, Cauka Carcara that indicate them. Simghadia is a triangular area. It is a highly characteristic feature of Dhanukudila, Vștia, Vsttāyata plan where the radial road pattern is utilised. In the Caturasra or Ayata planning this pattern does not develop in the grid. It would only develop, if diagonals be used for road-pattern. But the Silpa texts usually do not prefer this plan. Under these circumstances Simghadiya becomes a typical pattern of Dhanukudil form of towns noted in 'the Angas and Upângas.
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