History of Urban Form of India : From Beginning till 1900’s

India is undergoing massive urbanization. The future form of Indian cities in terms of urban planning and design is most urgent. A study of the key historical moments from the point of view of urban development is thus important. With case studies from the time cities originated in the Indian subcontinent and hand-drawn illustrations of these cities till the ones in recent times, the author discusses the last two hundred years of urban development in India with emphasis on the overall structure of the city, its nature of public places, institutions, and housing.

India, like many other developing countries today, is undergoing massive urbanization. The imagination of the future form of Indian cities in terms of urban planning and design is most urgent. A study of the key historical moments in the country from the point of view of urban development, thus, becomes all the more important. This book presents a comprehensive account of the historical spatial development of Indian cities since time immemorial. With case studies from the time cities originated in the Indian subcontinent (3000 B.C in Indus valley) and hand-drawn illustrations of these cities till the ones in recent times, the author discusses the last two hundred years of urban development in India with emphasis on the overall structure of the city, its nature of public places, institutions, and housing. The book is ideal for readers curious about the material history of cities; what form of cities existed in the past, and how did it change with time or with other political events. How were cities, public places, and housing organized then and why do South Asian cities seem to show a distinct form and texture? By understanding historical precedents and layers that influence urbanism in the region, the book offers theoretical constructs that will allow us to understand better the contemporary cities of the region.