Animals do not build settlements. Yes, the bees have hives and ants have hills but it is part of their involuntary instinct. Humans do not have to create settlement; these are created voluntarily to satisfy human desires with the aid of human inventions and innovations.

Hunter-gatherers have simple settlements—caves and camps marked by a central place where fire is kept. In fact, human settlement began when humans realised they could control fire and by controlling fire they could control nature: burn vegetation, frighten animals and create tools. Humans gathered around fire every night to keep themselves warm and safe. This was the first home, and the first yagna-shala.