________________
A PICTURE OF THE TIMES
79
Though the king was thus the most important limb of the state it is surprising to note that his political or military achievements had very little effect on the lives of the people. The wars against other kingdoms were taken to be the normal occupation of the warrior class and were not considered worthy of literary record. This would explain why a work like the SMK written by a king like Bhoja, ever engaged in military exploits and political alliances, remains completely silent on such activities.
The City and its Social Set-up
The city was the most important centre of all activities. A picture of the cities of medieval India preserved in literature emphasises a highly rich and pompous way of living. All the wealth of the State was concentrated there.
As stated above, the story of SMK is laid in the city of Dhārā, the capital of the Paramāra rulers. The 'picturesque description of Dhärā with its wealth of details throw interesting light on some of the important features of the city and its planning which was as important in those days as it is today. Bhoja in his Samarānganasūtradhāra devotes a whole chapter to town-planning. 19 The details of the layout of the city and life therein are dealt with here in order to bring into bolder relief the continuity of our cultural traditions, whose roots can be traced as far back as Kautilya's times.
The city (puri, nagarī) had an outer wail (prākāra).20 It was whitewashed; for it is described as being white as snow. It was circular in form and was studded with various precious stones. On it were watch-towers (attālaka),21 with high decorative indentation (uttunga kapiśirşaka).22 The city wall had four gateways (pratoli)23
20.
While on the other hand Ghuça was unnecessarily harassed, put in prison and fined by king Vajramukuta. King Samarasimha first eagerly sent his men to punish Ratnadatta and in the last tale we read that the queen's nose and ears were cut off and she was put in prison and Müladeva's wife and the
merchant were deported by the king. 19. Book I, 10. FOTTER 4: The features of the city described in this work are mentioned in the SS, so it has been quoted often.
पूरस्य विविधस्यापि प्रमाणमथ कथ्यते ।
refracaTOGTTTTTET: TEIL (SS, I, 10, 1) 21. The watchtowers were in four directions.
E SETT Traffet fast fast ETHI (Ibid., vs 31) 22. The kapiśīrsaka is a very old architectural feature. Together with the moat
and towers it is mentioned in Kautilya's Arthaśāstra, Book II, chapter III. In Präkrit it is called Kausisaga. SS. gives its measure in height to be an hand.
Ertua fría FUTTI(SS, I, 10, 30). 23. The modern word Pola is derived from the word pratolī, Präkrit paoli.
कुर्यात् प्रतोली: सर्वेषु महाद्वारेष्वथ दृढाः । Car t : FTTETTaar: 1 SS, vs. 38.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
