The Making of Early Indian Cities is a sincere endeavour to have a critical study of different aspects of urbanisation and urban centres in early India with an emphasis on ancient Odisha. It covers the period from c. sixth century BCE to c. 13th century CE. Urban study is very helpful in comprehending the economic, social, political, religious and cultural life of any society or civilization. The urban centres have always been considered the nucleus of human civilization and culture. In the present work, an attempt has been made to scientifically analyse and discuss various aspects of urbanism of early India
vis-à-vis Odisha, such as the genesis of urban centres, the circumstances under which urban centres developed and flourished, different phases of urban evolution, characteristics of cities and their classifi- cation, study of the periphery, rural-urban fringe, environmental setting, network of trade and commerce, social mobility, and impact of urban centres, etc.
This work will fill the void in the regional urban history of ancient Odisha. Throughout the work, a holistic approach has been made to present the subject matter in its proper historical perspective with an inter-
disciplinary approach. To make the work more relevant, appropriate tables, maps, diagrams, figures and illustrations are added. The volume will be of immense help to the students, researchers, teachers, academicians and general readers, particularly to those who are interested in the study of the early urban history of India as well as Odisha.
