The Oldest Cities Of India

India is a land of ancient and advanced civilizations. Thus, it is no wonder that the land hosted some of the world’s most ancient urban centers or in current terms, “cities.” These ancient Indian cities were among the most prosperous cities in the world at their time. They served as seats of ancient learning, fine arts, and culture. Major political events of the ancient Indian kingdoms also took place in these cities. Many of these cities are living today or are continuously inhabited ones while some have been reduced to rubble or exist as archeological treasures. It is difficult to exactly ascertain the age of some of the oldest Indian cities. Accounts of ancient travelers, religious and other texts mentioning the existence of these cities serve as the evidence of the existence of these cities thousands of years back. Five of the oldest Indian cities are as follows:

1. Varanasi (~1200 BC –)

No guessing is required for the oldest city in India, and one of the oldest ones in the world. It is Varanasi or Benares, India’s holiest city. Varanasi is located in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva founded the city.  According to the legend, Shiva fought with Brahma, another supreme God of the Hindus and severed one of the five heads of Brahma. Hanging the severed head upside down, Shiva carried it to the place that is now Varanasi. It is said that the head of Brahma fell down at this place. Hence, with the touch of both Shiva and Brahma, Varanasi became a holy site. Gradually, settlements started to grow in the area along the banks of the Ganges river. The city was later named Varanasi.  Today, it hosts numerous Hindu temples visited by thousands of Hindu pilgrims every year. Foreign tourists to the city enjoy an up-close experience of the cultural and religious life of Indians at this historic city.

2. Ujjain (~700/600 BC –)

The city of Ujjain is located in the Ujjain district of Madhya Pradesh. It is the largest city of the district and one of the oldest cities in India. The city hosts numerous places of Hindu pilgrimage. Every 12 years, the Kumbh Mela is held here. Ujjain is one of the oldest cities in India. It grew up on the Kshipra River’s eastern bank. At its peak, Ujjain was an important city in central India and was the political center of the region for a long time. The city remained a hub of culture, politics, and commerce of ancient India and even later. Ujjain witnessed the rise and fall of many major Indian empires. Ancient Indian literature including those composed by Kālidāsa mentions the name of the city. 

3. Rajgir (~600 BC –)

Rajgir is located in Bihar’s Nalanda district. The city first came to prominence as the capital of the Magadha kingdom of India. Rajgir played an important role in the history of both Buddhism and Jainism. The place was one of the favorite places of both Gautama Buddha and Lord Mahavira. Rajgir finds mention in the ancient Indian epic of Mahabharata. It has also been mentioned in the accounts of famous Chinese travelers of the ancient times. The Vulture’s Peak in Rajgir is an important pilgrimage venue for the Buddhists.

4. Vaisali (~600 BC –)

Vaisali or Vaishali, today an archeological city, was once a thriving Indian city. It is located in Bihar’s Tirhut Division. It was the capital city of Mithila’s Vajjian Confederacy. Since the 24th Jain Tirthankara was born here, the city is considered holy by the Jains. Like Rajgir, Vaishali is also associated with the Buddhist religion. It is believed that Lord Buddha visited the city numerous times. At its peak, Vaishali was an extremely prosperous city surrounded by natural splendor including a massive forest. The accounts of many ancient travelers to India also mention the name of Vaisali.

5. Madurai and Patna (~500 BC –)

Still one of the major cities in Tamil Nadu, Madurai is one of the oldest cities in India. The city is based on the banks of the River Vaigai. The city is closely associated with the development of the Tamil language. The city has been ruled by several major Indian dynasties including the Cholas, Pandyas, the Vijayanagar Empire, etc. A large number of historical monuments dating back to different periods in India’s history are today seen in the city. 

Patna, formerly known as Pataliputra, is the capital of the Bihar state of India. The city was the capital of the prosperous and powerful Magadha Empire of India. It served as a seat of scholarly learning and fine arts. Many famous Indian scholars like Aryabhata, Chanakya, Kālidāsa, Panini, and others lived in this city. Pataliputra also served as the cultural and political center of the Gupta and Maurya empires. The city lost much of its former glory following the fall of the Gupta Empire. However, it served as a major center of international trade in the 17th century.