PANDIT JI and PANDITAYEN are sitting on a couch with a map of India spread on  the table. They are at loggerheads over the best means of transport for their trip to Rajasthan.”I want to take a train,”says Panditji. But Panditayen waves him aside. “No, let us take a bus. It would be more comfortable and convenient.
Who uses trains these days for such small distances?” argues Panditayen. So finally, Pandit ji gives in and agrees to take a bus. Off they go with their packs and bags to the bus terminal.
Now comfortably ensconced in the bus, looking outside the window, Pandit ji sees a well laid out road, stretching out before him with lines of trees on each side.
from there to here
Indian roads through the ages
>> Harappa and Mahenjodro (5000 BC - sssssss2500 BC) of the Indus Valley civilisation had road maps as a part of their city plan.
>> In Vedic literature, Pushan (also referred to as the sun) is the god of pathways and roads. Prayers were addressed to Gods to give comfortable, wide, and non-thorny roads for travel.
>> In 6th century BC, ruler Bimbisara built a road in a place called Rajgir in Patna, Bihar, which is still in use.
>> Ancient texts refer to elephants and caravan loads that travelled, and the route they took. Early Buddhist texts mention trunk and ancillary roads, which existed between 700-185 BC.
>> The Mauryan Empire (first century AD) built roads to connect important trade centres. Greek ambassador Megasthenese, when sent to Chandragupta Maurya's court, recorded a Rajamarga (king's highway): a trade route and precursor to the modern grand trunk road. Any traffic jam on the Rajamarga was liable to punishment! State roads or rashtrapatha linked smaller distances.
>> Roads and their maintenance became significant during Emperor Asoka’s reign. There were huge monoliths across the country, a Banyan tree every 1.5 km, rest houses and watering stations.
>> Sankara, an Indian philosopher, traversed the whole length and breadth of the country setting up five pilgrimage centres. Imagine how many roads must have been there for his journey was on foot.
>> Emperor Sher Shah Suri built the longest road in India, between Dacca and Indus running through Agra and Delhi! He built four such long roads.
>> By the Mughal period there was hectic traffic on the roads and a watchman was appointed for the safety of travellers.
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