Patna too had been the regal seat of governance for successive
kingdoms, since ancient times. With every significant change in the ancient
political scenario, the city was renamed. Thus, Kusumpura metamorphosed through
Pushpapura, Pataliputra, Azeemabad into the present day Patna. Patna is the
capital of the state of Bihar.
An immensely fertile, arched stretch of land along the bank of the Ganga, the
history and cultural heritage of modern day Patna, go back well over two millennium.
Places of Interest in Patna:
Kumrahar
Archaeological findings in this area establish Patna's claim to over a thousand
years of political glory - 600 BC to 600 AD. Very little of this grandeur remains
though, except for the remains of a huge Mauryan hall supported by 80 sandstone
pillars dating back to 300 BC.
Golghar
Alarmed by the famine of 1770, captain John Garstin built this huge granary
for the British army, in 1786. The massive structure is 29 m high and the walls
are 3.6 m wide at the base. The winding stairway around this monument offers
a brilliant panoramic view of the city and the Ganga flowing by.
Har Mandir Takht
Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru of the Sikhs, was born in 1660, in Patna.
The Har Mandir Takht, one of the four sacred shrines of the Sikhs, stands at
this holy site. The original temple was built by Maharaja Ranjit Singh, and
contains belongings of the Guru and Sikh holy texts.
Martyr's Memorial
A memorial to seven freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives in the Quit
India Movement of August 1942, the Martyr's Memorial is a modern sculpture facing
the Secretariat, where they were shot in their attempt to hoist the national
flag.
Pathar ki Masjid
Adjacent to Har Mandir Sahib, on the bank of the Ganga, is this beautiful mosque
built by Parwez Shah, son of Jehangir, when he was the governor of Bihar.
Sher Shah Suri Masjid
Sher Shah Suri built this mosque in 1545 to commemorate his reign. Built in
the Afghan architectural style, it is one of the many beautiful mosques in Bihar,
and one of the impressive landmarks of Patna.
Khuda Baksh Oriental Library
A magnificent one man collection of rare Arabic and Persian manuscripts, Rajput
and Mughal paintings and an assortment of old and new books from the University
of Cordoba, Spain, it is one of the national libraries in India.
Patna Museum
The Patna Museum houses a First World War cannon, metal and stone sculptures
of the Mauryan and Gupta periods, Buddhist sculptures and quaint terracotta
figures. A 16 m long fossilised tree is one of its special features.
Jalan Museum
Built at the old site of Sher Shah's fort, it has an excellent collection of
jade, Chinese paintings, Mughal glass and filigree carvings. It is a private
collection, and prior permission is required for a visit.
Sadaqat Ashram
The Ashram is the headquarters of Bihar Vidyapeeth, a national university. India's
first president, Dr. Rajendra Prasad lived here after his retirement, and there
is a small museum here showcasing his personal belongings.
