InImagining the Urban, Shonaleeka Kaul turns to Sanskrit literature to discover the characteristicsboth physical and socialof ancient Indian cities. Kaul examines nearly a thousand years of Sanskritkavyasto see what India's early historic cities were like as living, lived-in, entitiesand discovers that the cities were vibrant and teeming with variety and life. As much about Sanskrit literature as about urban spacesinsofar as that literature reveals significant aspects of the Indian urban pastImagining the Urbanshows that Sanskrit literature is a rich source for historical understanding. Advocating the kavyas as an important historical source, Kaul provides a fresh view of the early city, showing distinctive ways of thought and behavior that relate to tradition, morality, and authority. With its provocative new questions about early Indian cities and ancient Indian texts, this book will be an essential read for scholars of urban history, Sanskrit writings, and South Asian antiquity.