The document presents a case study comparing the planning of the city of Ujjain, India to Vedic era planning typologies. It analyzes the Freeganj area of Ujjain, which developed from 1938-1968, and finds it most resembles the Dandaka type of Vedic planning with its east-west running streets dividing the area into rectangles. The document also finds similarities between some parts of Ujjain and the Nandyavarta form of Vedic planning, though the grids are not always perfect rectangles. The analysis shows inspiration from Vedic planning in the development of Ujjain over time.

1. Case study :A COMPARATIVE STUDY THE
VEDIC PLANNING AND EXISTING
CITY CENTRAL PLACE IN UJJAIN CITY IN
INDIA
Janhvi Gupta
M2202230AR

2. 1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Aim
The research aims at identifying evidence of vedic era planning in use in existing city plans of Ujjains
1.2. Objective
(i) compare planning of city with vedic era planning typolygy
(ii) Identify plans that replicate Vedic Era planning
1.3. Scope
The research shall be limited to Freeganj area of the city of Ujjain

3. 1. INTRODUCTION
1.4 Methodology
The research shall be based on secondry data and visual interpretation of maps solely
RESEARCH
QUESTION
AIM OBJECTIVE SCOPE
SECONDARY DATA COLLECTION
LITERATURE REVIEW
RESEARCH PAPERS
INTERNET ARCHIVES
MAP STUDY
AREA SELECTION
DIGITIZATION
ANALYSIS
INFERENCES

4. 2. SECONDARY DATA COLLECTION
1.1 LITERATURE REVIEW
S.NO
.
TITLE Type YEAR INFERENCES
1. https://builtheritageconservati
on.wordpress.com/2012/09/22
/ujjain-madhya-pradesh/
Internet article September
2022
History of planning and rulers in Ujjain
2. Ujjanalogeducation.in/al-
major/uploads/2134022250Ur
ban%20Sociology%20-
%20II.pdf
Internet article - evolution of urban morphology in Ujjain ,
emmergence of ujjain as an urban center
3. https://www.egyankosh.ac.in/b
itstream/123456789/27718/1/U
nit-26.pdf
Internet article - Urban planning of Ujjain during Mughal rule
4. Britannica, T. Editors of
Encyclopaedia (2014,
September 5). Ujjain.
Encyclopedia Britannica.
https://www.britannica.com/pl
ace/Ujjain
Internet article - History of Ujjain

5. 3. Analysis
3.1 Introduction
Ujjain is ancient city of central India , situated in malwa region
of Vidhyanchal ranges. Ujjain is a templetown which has
temple of “Mahakaleswar” one of the 12 jyotirlinga in
India. Considered on of the oldest cities in the world dating
back to 6th Century, Ujjain has been a seat of administration
for Magadh ruler Ashoka, home to Buddhism and jainism alike.
Vikramaditya, the legendary emperor, ruled the city with his
famous Navratnas (nine jewels)including Kalidasa.
Ujjain is situated on a unique geographical location from where
tropic of cancer passes. It is the
'Greenwich meantime' of India for Panchang. The tilting of
earth at angle of 23½ ◦ on its axis and geographical line of
tropic of cancer has special cosmic influence making it fit for
absolute time location. Situated on the bank of river Kshipra,
the only river that travels straight from South to North, Ujjain
reflects distinct character of socio-religious cultural.

6. 3. Analysis
3.2 History of Evolution of Ujjain
Current research on the Antiquity of Ujjain suggests its existence from 800 B.C. onwards, when it was semi-urban
settlement along the river what is today called the Garh area. It had flood embankment built of wood.
Two processes are visible in Ujjain and the surrounding areas. One is theconcentration of a large number of villages
around Ujjain which is in sharp contrast to other areas of Madhya Pradesh. In the earlier period agricultural
communities were evenly spread across various parts of Madhya Pradesh. On the other hand if we study the settlement
pattern of sites around the sixth century BC, villages seem to converge on the modern district of Ujjain. This change in
settlement pattern has less to do with factors like presence of water bodies and good agricultural land and more to do
with the institution of power. Probably, the powerful rulers forced people to settle near Ujjain to be able to collect
taxes. So, urban centres seem to have emerged in a situation of conflict and resettlement of population. The other
important process that is visible is the building of fortification. A fortification, a mile long and three quarters of a mile
wide was erected soon after the founding of Ujjain. It has been suggested that building such a fortification required a
workforce of 34,666 individuals working for 150 days. The size of the settlement of Ujjain suggests that it would have a
population of about 38000. In that case the construction of fortification in Ujjain would have required the
mobilization of almost 91% of the population. The mobilization of such a large part of the population points. to the
emergence of a powerful ruling class, since such an enterprise would not be undertaken by common people who would
have little or nothing to defend. It was within the context of a strong political power that other features like use of
coinage and writing emerged.

7. 3. Analysis
3.2 History of Evolution of Ujjain
a. Pre Mauryan&Mauryan period (600 B.C. – 600 A.D.)
• Great rulers like Vikramaditya, Ashoka& Chandragupta ruled the city.
• Buddhism was at its peak with the city being the centre of knowledge, science and culture.
• The ruins of stupas can be seen around Mahakaleshwar temple.
• The city functioned as important trade centre.
• Mahakal temple and Harsidhhi belong to this period.
b. Parmar period (600 A.D. – 1200 A.D.)
• Till 1010 A.D., Ujjain was the capital for ‘Parmara’ Kings.
• City was subjected to many attacks by neighbouring kingdoms and Muslims invaders.
• Bhartrihari caves belong to this period.
• Artistically printed cloth of Ujjain was being exported to Rome and China during this time.

8. 3. Analysis
3.2 History of Evolution of Ujjain
c. Muslim and Mughal period (1200 A.D. – 1700 A.D.)
• Iitumish king of slave dynasty sacked the city ruthlessly and destroyed several temples including Mahakal.
• Khiljis constructed BinaNivki Masjid in this period.
• During the period of Akbar in 1562, city regained its importance.
• Kalidash palace belongs to this period.
d. Maratha and Pre Independence period (1700A.D. – 1947 A.D.)
• Maharaja Jaisingh the governor of Ujjain built Jiwaji observatory in 1733.
• Under the rule of Maratha many temples was renovated.
• In 1744, it came under Scindia’s rule and the period witnessed organized development works like construction of
roads, hospitals and railway links and educational institutes.
• Ram and Narsingh bathing ghats were constructed.
• Scindia shifted the capital from Ujjain to Gwalior in 1810.

9. 3. Analysis
3.2 History of Evolution of Ujjain
e. Pre 1938 period
During this period,ujjain was the capital of Lashkar or Gwalior.It was under the rule od Scindias. Ujjain developed its
identity as a great religious and cultural centre as well as an emerging center of textile industry.
f. 1938 to 1968
The emmergence of Freeganj area as a major commercial area. Major educational institutions like Vikram University,
Government polytechnic, Engineering college and Industrial Training institute also came up.
g. 1968 to 1979
Residential and industrial areas was followed by developments in NE and NW parts
h. 1979 to 1985
In residential and industrial areas occurred in the northeast followed by development in residential areas increase in
the southeast

10. 3. Analysis
3.2 Selection of area
For the purpose of the given study, the entire map of
Ujjain was evaluated.
1. The area of Freeganj developed during 1938 to 1968
has the most resemblance to vedic planning of
“Dandaka” town planning.
2. Apart from Freeganj, other parts of the recently
developed towns showed similarity to other vedic
planning principles
3. Three areas that showed most similarity were
identified
4. instead of a central deity/ king placed at the centre,
open spaces have been given.
Freeganj, Ujjain
Dandaka type settlement planning

11. 3. Analysis
3.2 Study of Selected area
For the purpose of the given study, the entire map of Ujjain was evaluated.
1. The area of Freeganj developed during 1938 to 1968 has the most
resemblance to vedic planning of “Dandaka” town planning.
Freeganj, Ujjain
Dandaka type settlement planning

12. 3. Analysis
3.2 Comparision to Dandaka settlement
planning
The streets run east west, dividing the area in rectangular
sector
In comparison with Dandaka, in position of temple, a tower is
observed.
a railway track is present on the North of Freeganj, Dandaka
settlement plans abutt a river/ stream waterbody.
The settlement was developed in early stages of the city and is
heavily inspired from Dandaka style of planning.
The trapezoidal form of the selected area may seem not
agreeable, but central part’s grid layout is that of Dandaka.
Digitized map of Freeganj

13. 3. Analysis
3.3 Comparision to Nandyvarta settlement
planning
Nandyavarta form of vedic town planning has been interpreted
and replicated in various parts of Ujjain.
In some parts of the city the grid may not be a perfect rectangle
or square, but there is some inspiration from the Nandyavarta
style of planning
Digitized map of Freeganj

14. 3. Analysis
3.3 Comparision to Nandyvarta settlement
planning
Nandyavarta form of vedic town planning has been interpreted
and replicated in various parts of Ujjain.
In some parts of the city the grid may not be a perfect rectangle
or square, but there is some inspiration from the Nandyavarta
style of planning
Digitized map of Rihinagar Extension

15. 3. Analysis
3.3 Comparision to Nandyvarta settlement
planning
Nandyavarta form of vedic town planning has been interpreted
and replicated in various parts of Ujjain.
In some parts of the city the grid may not be a perfect rectangle
or square, but there is some inspiration from the Nandyavarta
style of planning
Digitized map of Gordhan Dham Nagar

16. 3. Inferences
1. The city has majorly Sectoral planning, other familiar patterns that resemble Vedic age planning can be observed,
but Freeganj shows the highest resemblance.
2. Eventhough Ujjain temple town is one of the oldest region, no recognisable pattern of Vedic era are identifiable so
far.
3. Dandaka type settlement planning in other interpreted forms along with Nandyavarta inspired plan forms are also
observed.
4. This illustrates the utility and functionality of Vedic age planning, their relevnce in 21st Century.
5. Ujjain also displays mordern day city planning concepts like Sectoral models, bid rent theory, in practice the
sectors are planned along the lines of Vedic Planning.