This article explores the historical urban planning of South India’s ancient cities, drawing from the 1916 book “Town Planning in Ancient Deccan.” Highlighting cities like Madurai, Kanjeevaram, and Vanji, it contrasts past practices with modern urban development, emphasising the advanced understanding of city-making in ancient times.
This is an interesting book from many angles. First, it was originally written in 1916 as Town Planning in Ancient Deccan. It was then photographically reproduced in 1997; in 2004 and later in 2015, it was again reproduced, considering its demand among urban planning scholars. Since its title was changed to the present, it is now known. Second, an introduction to this book was written by Patrick Geddes in 1916 from Lucknow. The author, deeply influenced by Tamilian knowledge and local literature, crafted an authoritative treatise on urban planning—a subject of increasing relevance today due to rapid urbanisation.
South India, centuries ago, was renowned for its city-making prowess, not just within India but globally. The book covers four specific towns: Ganjeevaram (Conjeeveram), Madurai, Kaveripumpattinam, and Vanji. Except for Madurai, these towns are relatively unknown outside of India. Geddes noted that, had the Town Councils of Madura been familiar with the book, they might have avoided creating some of the worst slums in India and preserved essential urban spaces.
Prof T K Venkatasubramanian, formerly with the Department of History at Delhi University, has written an extensive prefatory introduction to the present edition. Geddes, who first met Venkatarama Ayyar in 1914, praised him for his scholarly understanding of town planning as reflected in Tamil Shastras and for showcasing the glories of South Indian civilisation through this book.
The origin of the ancient city of Madurai as found in Sthalapura (local traditions) is clouded by a great deal of mythology, though built on a solid foundation of historical information, says Venkatasubramnian. Madurai is also known as Kadamba Vana or the Kadamba trees, as it was founded in and around the forest after clearing some areas of trees for human habitation.
He describes how the city was planned near an old, vast tank close to the Kadamba forests and around the water body. Streets were planned by the Pandyan monarch, who then set up bazzar streets, car streets, and residential quarters. Smaller streets intersecting wider streets were also laid. Natural features were utilised to the fullest extent. Existing streams and ponds were maintained. New tanks were dug; such descriptions have been given about city planning.
What I found interesting is that 2,500 years ago, detailed documentation existed for cities like Madurai. The King’s Palace, located in the northeastern part of the city, reflects thoughtful urban planning aimed at preventing overcrowding and providing open spaces. The city’s entire area was carefully contoured before construction, highlighting an advanced understanding of urban design. The King’s Palace was constructed in the north-eastern part of the city, which was named Madura (City agreeable). The city was not made piece by piece but as a whole, having regard to the size of the town, the prevention of overcrowding, and the provision of open spaces. The entire area was carefully contoured before the town was laid out.
In the chapter Origin of Cities, the author discusses the evolution of cities. He says that a city is the noblest of all the things men have imagined. From early times, cities have been centres of civilisation. Cities evolve quite naturally, and unconsciously. But there are also cities that have been consciously founded for definite ends.
Cities have sprung up along sea coasts, river valleys (like Madurai, which developed near the Vaigai River), and mostly around temples, especially in the south. Other Indian cities, such as Ujjain, Varanasi, and Indore, have also grown around temples. Temples attract large numbers of people, fostering trade, commerce, and the spread of civilisation, leading to the natural evolution of cities. This mutual attraction between temples and their natural surroundings, and the subsequent growth of cities around temples, has been a chief factor in urban development in India. The author, drawing from ancient Tamil scriptures and literature, noted this over 110 years ago. Madurai, known to the Greeks and Romans, is mentioned in Ptolemy’s Tables as the seat of the Pandian Kingdom in the South. The Greek name for Madurai is “Mondoura.”
Like Madurai, he has written extensively about Vanji, Conjeeveram, and Kaverippumpattinam in this book, providing plain, factual details that underline their local features and history. I found it very interesting to compare these historical accounts with today’s urban planning processes, where the emphasis is primarily on land rather than the needs of the people.
About Conjeeveram (today’s Kanjeevaram or Kanchipuram), it is written that the great city was built around a moat that surrounded the city walls, with the city’s drainage system emptying into this moat. In the outer city, wide open spaces were set apart for training elephants and horses for the army.
The planning of the streets followed the traditional procedure of allotting streets to different castes and occupational groups. Brahmins, merchants, agriculturists, and others lived in parallel streets, with four wide main streets serving the city. Special quarters were also designated for elephant trainers. Do we, in modern times, consider creating a colony for drivers who operate cars and cabs for officers and politicians?