ABSTRACT
In this chapter, Supriya Varma traces urbanity in the neighbourhoods of Bhir and Sirkap to understand the socio-spatial organization of these ancient two cities in the Taxila valley. Varma argues that the individual blocks at Sirkap possibly constituted both kin and non-kin-based neighbourhoods, where multiple occupational groups resided. Most of the individual blocks had courtyards with shrines which functioned as spaces that could be accessed both by residents of that block in which they were located as well as by those living in other blocks. Individual blocks at Sirkap possibly constituted kin and non-kin-based neighbourhoods, which added to the demographic vibrance of the urban life. This chapter also analyses the role that collective or even individual performance of common rituals could have played in a city, which was gradually becoming cosmopolitan, by accommodating non-kinship-based residents.
