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Significance of Prakara

Prakara, according to Vastushastra and Shilpashastra, refers to protective enclosures or walls surrounding fortified towns and temples, particularly in South India. These structures provide defensive features and are integral to temple architecture, offering layers of security and serving as enclosures for courts and residences. The concept also encompasses detailed measurements and types of walls, emphasizing their importance in both architectural design and urban development. In Vyakarana, Prakara denotes the essential quality or characteristic expressed through specific terms.1
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Synonyms: Boundary, Enclosure, Perimeter, Wall

The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.

Hindu concept of 'Prakara'

Hinduism Books

Prakara in Hinduism refers to the architectural enclosures or walls surrounding temples, significant in temple design as outlined in the Kashyapa Shilpashatra, serving both defensive and aesthetic purposes, particularly in South Indian architecture.

Significance in Vastushastra (architecture):
Vastushastra Books

From: Vastu-shastra (Introduction to Indian architecture)

(1) Surrounding walls or enclosures of a temple, described in various forms within the text pertaining to their architectural style.[1] (2) Courtyards or enclosures described in the Manasara that are essential elements of palace layouts, indicating an aristocratic architectural style.[2] (3) Prakaras are the manifold courts surrounding the temples of South India, reflecting a strong relationship to palace architecture.[3] (4) Walled enclosures within a fort that provide additional layers of defense and may include structures for sounding alarms.[4] (5) The surrounding walls or parapets that provided a defensive structure around the fortified town.[5]

Vastushastra refers to the ancient Indian science (shastra) of architecture (vastu), dealing with topics such architecture, sculpture, town-building, fort building and various other constructions. Vastu also deals with the philosophy of the architectural relation with the cosmic universe.

Significance in Vyakarana (Sanskrit grammar):
Vyakarana Books

From: Vakyapadiya of Bhartrihari

(1) The term prakara is debated in its meaning, where some see it primarily as resemblance, while others believe it can also denote variety or class.[6] (2) A term that means 'resemblance'; significant in explaining the meanings of the words cancatka and brihatka.[7] (3) A term that denotes the nature or characteristic of something. In the context, it refers to the essential quality expressed by suffixes.[8]

Vyakarana refers to Sanskrit grammar and represents one of the six additional sciences (vedanga) to be studied along with the Vedas. Vyakarana concerns itself with the rules of Sanskrit grammar and linguistic analysis in order to establish the correct context of words and sentences.

Significance in Shilpashastra (iconography):
Shilpashastra Books

From: Manasara (English translation)

(1) The fourth court in the series, which is specifically named and described for a first time in this text.[9] (2) The enclosure or compound associated with larger temples, detailed in the context of court divisions in Chapter XXXI.[10]

Shilpashastra represents the ancient Indian science (shastra) of creative arts (shilpa) such as sculpture, iconography and painting. Closely related to Vastushastra (architecture), they often share the same literature.

The concept of Prakara in local and regional sources

History Books

Prakara, synonymous with qism, denotes divisions within a prolegomenon, illustrating its role in organizing foundational concepts in a structured manner according to regional interpretations.

Significance in India history and geography:

From: History of Science in South Asia

(1) This appears to be a seasonal time unit that is similar to prahara and yama, although it cannot be found in any Indian literature.[11] (2) This is synonymous with qism, referring to the sections of the prolegomenon.[12]

Plural form: Prakaras.