Part 1 - Urban model of Rājagṛha

Starting as seasonal camps to subsistent villages in the prehistoric Neolithic-Chalcolithic phase settlements as active population centres, took a definite character defined by their functional role. Rājagṛha rose to the level of an urban site for being the administrative seat of the Magadha mahājanpada favoured by its positional advantages. Under the strong monarchical heritage of proto-historic, semi mythical figure of Jarāsandha and the house of Haryaṅkas in the early historic phase Rājagṛha capital city. Culturally, Rājagṛha was one of the strongholds of the emerging religious faiths, particularly Buddhism. Archaeologically, such affiliations are visible through the structural remains, both secular and religious present in the early historic site of Rājagṛha.

V. Gordon Childe has associated monumental buildings as a necessary variable for pre–industrial early cities. D. K. Chakrabarti on the basis of archaeological evidence has also expressed the same opinion that fortification marked the growth of urbanity.^[1] Vijay Thakur did not agree with Childe totally on the points characterizing early urbanization. However in his revised set of variables of urbanism included fortification as a major urban feature.^[2] Even ancient texts held it to be a major attribute. Mānasāra–the ancient text on architecture clearly distinguished eight types of fortified cities from ordinary settlements. They are Rājdhaniya, Kevala, Pura, Nagari, Kheṭa, Kharvaṭa, Kubjaka and Pattana.^[3]

Archaeologically, as early as the PGW period the beginning of fortification may be traced. Fortification at the site of Jakhera situated on the Kalinadi was probably built in the mature PGW phase. Height of this settlement was usually low and did not surround the whole settlement. Therefore archaeologists by large believed that this wall was built to protect the settlement from frequent floods.^[4] Other PGW sites like Kampil, Atranjikhera also had their mud embankments probably for the same purpose.

Such fortifications became very common during the NBPW phase. In the late NBW phase sites like Kauśāmbī, Pāṭaliputra, Rajgir, Śrāvastī, Vaiśālī, Ayodhya, Campā, Balirajgarh, Katragarh, Mathura, Ahichhatra, Chandraketugarh and Bangarh–all located in the Ganga plains had fortifications around settlement. Characteristically these fortifications are different from that of PGW phase. While in the earlier times they were erected to resist flood, whereas later fortifications were meant for defensive purposes. It is interesting to note that Śrāvastī first had a mud embankment of low height. Later it was converted into a high fortification made of burnt bricks. It was equipped with guard rooms, bastions, stone paved drains giving a fair impression of being an urban settlement.^[5] For defence purpose the Arthaśāstra advised fortified settlements to be built in some strategic locations mountain fort-giridurga consisting of rocks and cave and seat of the protectors of the country.^[6] It is of three types-built either on the top of the mountain, at the foot of it and the one surrounded by it.^[7] Rājagṛha is certainly the last type mentioned and closely resembles the description of kauṭilya. The Pali name of the city-Giribajja completely justifies the name, since it was enclosed by hills on all sides.

Vijay Thakur thinks that among the cities mentioned in the ancient texts Rājdhāniya, Sthāniya, Kharvaṭa and Kheṭa are administrative towns of different degrees of importance. Among them Rājdhaniya is the most important for it is the capital and biggest city and the seat of central government.^[8] in the present case Rājagṛha enjoyed this status of being Rājdhaniya because it was the capital and royal seat under the Haryankas.

Located in a hillock, the site was naturally secured. Added to this the city had a high rubble wall with a usual thickness of 4 m. and about 40 km. in circuit.^[9] Height of this wall is inconsistent and varies from 7 or 8 feet to 11 or 12 feet at places. V.H. Jackson in 1913-14 reported that the north wall. The original north gate was located at the north west of the city. The west wall is also ruined as the branch of the Sarasvati stream runs on it. Only the south wall is in a better condition 30 -40 feet in height and three well marked gaps can be traced in the wall implying ancient roads. The east wall is located near the Maniyar math compound. From here runs the ancient main road of Rājagṛha. Another gap located almost at the centre of the east wall is perhaps not a gate but to the south of it there is the Bimbisara Road leading some way up the hill with artificial mounds or forts in the plain below.^[10]

The fortification wall of Rājagṛha is an irregular pentagon in shape and was protected by an approximately 100 ft. wide moat on the outside.^[11] The wall was built for defence purposes may be confirmed by the fact that stairs or ramps are attached to the structure. In the Arthaśāstra we find the mention of upper chamber “uttamgaram”^[12] connected with stairs, running from left to right, located at the top of fortification. Nine such ramps have been discovered at irregular intervals to give an access to the top or upper chamber.

To supplement the defence further separate watch towers were erected at various prominent points along the hill. Most prominent of them was the Pippala stone house. Both Marshall and Ghosh pointed out that just above the satdhara springs on the eastern slope of the Vaibhara hill the Pippala stone house is located. Hiuen Tsang also says to the west of the hot springs was the Pi-po-lo (pippala cave) in which the Buddha often lodged.^[13] The pilgrim did not call it a watch tower. But such cells are not large enough for human occupation. John Marshall thinks such cells built along the Vipula mountain were meant to give shelter to the guards. Later when they were not required for that purpose, served as solitary cells for the Buddhist monks to meditate in.^[14] kauṭilya recommends turrets with steps to be built in every 30 danda distance.^[15] So Rājagṛha’s fortification qualifies kauṭilya’s requirements.

The fortification was built in successive periods. Marshall calls it prehistoric and earliest remains known in India (before the discovery of Harappa). Around 1200 BCE it was erected. Both T. N. Roy and D K. Chakrabarti ascribe the beginning of the fortification from NBP sub period ll A. over the deposits of NBP a mud rampart was built. A moat was also associated with the phase. A brick-wall was built in the sub period ll. After the fall of this wall over the debris a mud and ash structure wall was erected. And the height of the rampart was increased. In the last phase i. e. sub period lll B, a strong wall made of brick and stone rubble came into being. There was no direct evidence to date the different phases of the rampart. R. Singh tentatively assigned the first phases to the 6^th- 5^th centuries BCE, contemporary with the Buddha. T. N. Roy thinks that beginning of the rampart can be assigned to late NBP phase i. e. 400- 300 BCE. MASCA chart calibration gives the time spread from 410- 110-100 BCE.^[16]

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

D. K. Chakrabarti, “Iron and Urbanization”, Puratattva, vol- 15,New Delhi, 1984-85,p.69.

[2]:

Vijay Thakur, Urbanisation in Ancient India, New Delhi, Abhinav Publications, 1981, p.19.

[3]:

Translated from original Sanskrit by Prasanna Kumar Acharya, Architecture of the Mānasāra,Mānasāra Series IV, New Delhi, Oriental Books Reprint Corporation, 1980,The towns and forts, X. 39-43,pp. 93-98.

[4]:

T. N. Roy, The Ganges Civilization, New Delhi, Ramanand Vidya Bhavan, 1983,p.148.

[5]:

Ibid, p.150.

[6]:

R. P. Kangle, The Kauṭīlya Arthaśāstra, vol. II, An English Translation with Critical and Explanatory Notes, New Delhi,Motilal Banarasidass, 1997,2.3.2,p.67.

[7]:

P. K. Acharya, 1980, op. cit X.92-93,pp.93-98.

[8]:

Vijay Thakur, op. cit, 1981, pp.21-22.

[9]:

T. N. Roy, op. cit, 1983, p.151.

[10]:

V.H. Jackson, “Notes on Old Rajagriha” inIndian Archaeological Review 1913-14,Delhi, p. 267.

[11]:

D. K. Chakrabarti, “Rajagriha: an early Historic site in east India”, World Archaeology, vol. 7, No. 3, February 1976, pp.261-68.

[12]:

R.P. Kangle, The Arthasastra, op. cit, 2.3.2,1997, p.62

[13]:

Thomas Watters, On Yuan Chwang’s Travels in India, Vol. II, edited after his death by T.W. Rhys Davids and S. W. Bushell, London, Royal Asiatic Society, 1905, p.154

[14]:

John Marshall, “Rajagriha and its Remains”, Annual report, Archaeological Surveyof India,1905-06, New Delhi, p.90.

[15]:

R.P Kangle, The Arthasastra, op. cit, 2.3.10, 11,1997, p.63.

[16]:

T. N. Roy, op. cit,1983, p. 151, and D. K. Chakrabarti op. cit,(February 1976) p. 266.