Question

Orthogonal grid pattern is found in the city plan -

• A. Swastika
• B. Chaturmukha
• C. Karmukha
• D. Nandyavarta

Hint:

When studying ancient city planning, focus on understanding how different grid patterns reflect cultural and functional aspects of the cities.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding Orthogonal grid pattern.
An orthogonal grid pattern consists of streets laid out in perpendicular (right-angle) grids, forming square or rectangular blocks. This pattern is commonly found in planned cities, particularly in ancient Indian city planning.

Step 2: Analyzing the options.
(A) Swastika: Swastika is a symbol, not related to an orthogonal city grid plan.
(B) Chaturmukha: Correct — Chaturmukha refers to a grid pattern found in some ancient Indian cities, where the streets are arranged in a perpendicular grid, forming squares or rectangles.
(C) Karmukha: Karmukha is not related to city planning but rather refers to other cultural terms.
(D) Nandyavarta: Nandyavarta refers to a symbolic or decorative pattern, not a city grid.

Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct answer is (B) Chaturmukha, which refers to a city grid layout with perpendicular streets.

Answer 2

Each of these town-plan types from traditional Indian Vastu Shastra town planning corresponds to a specific geometric shape, so matching shape to "orthogonal grid" (streets crossing at right angles, square/rectangular blocks) identifies the answer.

1. Swastika: Based on the swastika symbol's rotational, pinwheel-like arm arrangement, a layout built around rotational symmetry rather than a simple perpendicular grid.
2. Chaturmukha: Literally means "four-faced," describing a square town with gates on all four sides and streets running straight between them at right angles, which is precisely an orthogonal grid.
3. Karmukha: Named after "karmuka" (a bow), describing a town plan with a curved, bow-shaped boundary, the opposite of a straight-line grid.
4. Nandyavarta: A spiral, labyrinth-like auspicious pattern used more in temple and diagram layouts than in a simple street grid.

Only Chaturmukha's "four-sided, straight-street" definition matches an orthogonal grid pattern.

Therefore, the correct answer is Chaturmukha.