Bharat as a Civilization of Cities: Ancient Urban Traditions and Contemporary Urban India

Abstract

India's urban heritage extends back over 5,000 years to the Indus Valley Civilization, making it one of the world's oldest continuous urban traditions. This paper explores the deep historical roots of Indian urbanism from the sophisticated city planning of Harappa and Mohenjo-daro to the sacred cities of the Vedic period, and traces their influence on contemporary urban India. As India undergoes rapid urbanization—projected to add 416 million urban residents by 2050—understanding these ancient urban traditions becomes crucial for addressing modern challenges. The paper examines the continuities and transformations between ancient and contemporary urban forms, analyzing how historical urban principles might inform India's Smart Cities Mission and sustainable urban development goals.

Keywords: Indus Valley Civilization, Urban sanitation systems, Smart Cities Mission India, Ancient urban planning, Urban governance, Sustainable cities, Water infrastructure, Urbanization challenges.