Patna history

Foundation and Ancient History

The history of Patna is rooted in deep antiquity, back to when the city was known as Pataliputra. It was founded in the 5th century BC by King Ajatashatru of the Magadha dynasty as a small fort at the confluence of the Ganges and Son rivers. Thanks to its strategic location, the city quickly transformed into one of the most important centres of Northern India and soon became the capital of the powerful Magadha state.

Key Factors of Formation and Rise

Several key factors contributed to the rise of Pataliputra. Firstly, its strategic position at the confluence of major rivers provided natural defence and made the city a key hub on water trade routes. Secondly, for centuries, Pataliputra served as the political centre of the great empires of ancient India, including the Nanda, Mauryan, Shunga, and Gupta dynasties. It reached its zenith under the Mauryan emperors, such as Chandragupta and Ashoka, becoming the heart of a vast empire that stretched across most of the Indian subcontinent.

Cultural and Economic Hub of Antiquity

In ancient times, Pataliputra was not only an administrative centre but also a thriving cultural and economic hub. The city was renowned as a centre of education, attracting scholars and thinkers from all over India. It also played a significant role in the history of Buddhism: it was here, according to some accounts, that Emperor Ashoka convened the Third Buddhist Council. Due to its location, Pataliputra was a bustling centre of trade, primarily in agricultural produce such as rice, and craft production. During its peak under the Mauryas, its population was estimated to reach 400,000 people, making it one of the largest cities in the world at that time.

Key Milestones in the History of Patna

The history of Patna, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, spans more than two and a half millennia. Known in ancient times as Pataliputra, the city was the capital of powerful empires and a centre of culture and science.

• Around 490 BC — Foundation of the Pataligrama fort by King Ajatashatru of the Magadha dynasty at the confluence of the Ganges and Son rivers for defence against enemies.
• Around 322 BC — Pataliputra becomes the capital of the vast Mauryan Empire after Chandragupta Maurya overthrew the Nanda dynasty.
• Around 250 BC — The Third Buddhist Council is held in Pataliputra under the patronage of Emperor Ashoka, playing a key role in the systematisation of Buddhist teachings.
• 4th-5th Centuries AD — The city reaches a new peak as the capital of the powerful Gupta Empire, becoming the centre of the "Golden Age" of Indian science, art, and literature.
• 7th Century AD — Pataliputra gradually falls into decline after the fall of the Gupta Empire and loses its significance as a capital.
• 16th Century (around 1541) — The city is revived and receives its modern name "Patna" during the reign of Sher Shah Suri, who restored its strategic and economic importance.
• 1620 — A trading post of the British East India Company is established in Patna, specialising in the trade of cotton, silk, and saltpeter.
• 1666 — The city is visited by Guru Tegh Bahadur, and in 1666, the tenth Sikh Guru, Gobind Singh, is born here, making Patna a sacred place for Sikhs.
• 1912 — Patna becomes the capital of the Bihar and Orissa province, carved out of the Bengal Presidency of British India.
• 1917 — Patna University is founded, becoming the first university in the region and a major educational centre.
• 1947 — Following India's independence, Patna officially becomes the capital of the new state of Bihar.

Stages of Patna's Development: From Ancient Capital to Modern Metropolis

Patna, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, has undergone several grand transformations throughout its millennial history. Each new stage did not merely change the city's appearance but also defined its role on the map of India and the world.

It all began with Pataliputra — the legendary capital of the powerful Mauryan and Gupta empires. In those times, it was not just a city but a true metropolis of antiquity, protected by massive wooden fortifications. The ancient Greek historian Megasthenes described it as a centre of thriving trade, education, and arts, making Pataliputra one of the wealthiest and largest cities on the planet.

After centuries of decline, when the grandeur of Pataliputra seemed to be a thing of the past, the city received a second chance. In the 16th century, the ruler Sher Shah Suri, recognising the strategic location on the Ganges River, revived it under its modern name — Patna. This moment became a turning point, restoring the city's status as an important administrative and trading centre.

The next rise was associated with international trade. In the 17th and 18th centuries, Patna turned into a bustling hub where merchants from all over the world converged. The city became famous for the production of saltpeter — a key component of gunpowder — as well as the trade in cotton and silk. European East India Companies, including the British and Dutch, opened their trading posts here, weaving Patna into the global economic network.

A new status came to the city in 1912, when Patna became the capital of the province of Bihar and Orissa within British India. This period was marked by massive urban redevelopment. A new administrative district appeared with majestic buildings in the Indo-Saracenic style, such as the Secretariat and the High Court building, which define the city's architectural appearance to this day. The founding of Patna University in 1917 cemented the city's reputation as a leading educational centre of eastern India.

After India gained independence, Patna continued its growth as the capital of the state of Bihar. Today, the city is undergoing another stage of modernisation. Ambitious infrastructure projects are being implemented, such as the construction of a riverfront along the Ganges and the development of a metro system. These transformations not only solve the transport problems of a growing metropolis but also open a new chapter in its rich history, connecting ancient heritage with the aspirations of the future.

The architectural appearance of Patna is a multi-layered story in which every era has left its unique mark. From the majestic structures of the ancient capital to the monumental buildings of the colonial period and modern projects, the city represents a living chronicle of urban development.

Ancient Pataliputra: The Grandeur of Empires

In the era of the Mauryan and Gupta empires, Pataliputra was one of the largest cities in the world. Its urban planning was striking in scale: the city was surrounded by a massive wooden palisade with 570 towers and 64 gates. Early architecture was predominantly wooden, which was characteristic of the Ganges Valley at that time. However, already under Emperor Ashoka (3rd century BC), monumental stone structures began to be erected. A striking example was his palace, which, according to contemporary accounts, surpassed the Persian palaces in Susa in luxury and was adorned with brilliantly polished stone pillars, some of which have survived to this day.

Indo-Islamic Architecture: The City's Revival

After a period of decline, the city was revived in the 16th century by the ruler Sher Shah Suri and received the name Patna. This stage brought with it features of Indo-Islamic architecture. Although many buildings of that time have not survived, significant monuments include mosques such as Pather ki Masjid and Sher Shahi Masjid, reflecting the architectural traditions of their era.

Colonial Era: Indo-Saracenic Style and European Influence

A new architectural flourishing of Patna began in 1912, when it became the capital of the British province of Bihar and Orissa. For the construction of the new administrative centre, the monumental Indo-Saracenic style was chosen, combining elements of Mughal, Hindu, and Neo-Gothic architecture. Key buildings of this period, designed by architect J.F. Munnings, still form the city's appearance.

• Patna Secretariat and the High Court building — classic examples of the Indo-Saracenic style with majestic domes and arches.
• Patna Museum and Raj Bhavan (Governor's Residence) demonstrate a blend of Indian motifs with forms of the European Renaissance.
• Golghar — a unique structure in the shape of a giant beehive, built in 1786 as a granary. Its unusual design has become one of the most recognisable symbols of Patna.

Modern Stage: Modernism and New Development

After India gained independence, Patna's architecture developed along the lines of modernism, focusing on functionality and modern materials. In recent decades, the city has been experiencing a new stage of urban development. Ambitious modern projects are appearing, such as the Bihar Museum, distinguished by its bold architectural solution. Active construction of infrastructure facilities, including the riverfront along the Ganges and the metro, is changing the urban landscape, writing a new chapter in the centuries-old history of Patna.

Distinguished Figures Who Left a Mark on Patna's History

Patna, the ancient Pataliputra, has been a centre of political, scientific, and spiritual life for millennia. The city has nurtured and hosted many great minds whose names are forever inscribed in the history of India and the world.

• Chanakya (Kautilya) (4th-3rd centuries BC) — Brilliant strategist, thinker, and chief advisor to Emperor Chandragupta Maurya. It was in Pataliputra that he helped found the powerful Mauryan Empire. His treatise "Arthashastra" — a fundamental work on politics, economics, and statecraft — is still studied worldwide today.
• Aryabhata (5th-6th centuries AD) — Great mathematician and astronomer of the Gupta era. It is believed that he lived and worked in Kusumapura (the name of Pataliputra at that time). His scientific achievements, including the development of the concept of zero and precise astronomical calculations, were revolutionary for their time.
• Ashoka the Great (3rd century BC) — One of the greatest emperors of the Mauryan dynasty, who ruled from Pataliputra. After bloody wars, he embraced Buddhism and dedicated his life to spreading ideas of peace and justice. It was from Pataliputra that he governed a vast empire covering most of the Indian subcontinent.
• Guru Gobind Singh (1666–1708) — The tenth and final Sikh Guru, warrior, poet, and philosopher. He was born in Patna, making the city one of the most sacred places for Sikhs. Guru Gobind Singh founded the Khalsa warrior community, which played a key role in the history of Sikhism.
• Sher Shah Suri (1486–1545) — The ruler who revived the city in the 16th century. It was he who gave it the modern name "Patna" and restored its strategic and economic importance by building a fort and making the city an important trading centre.
• Rajendra Prasad (1884–1963) — The first President of independent India. Although he was not born in Patna itself, his political career was closely tied to the city. He received his education here, and after stepping down as president, he spent the final years of his life in Patna.
• Jayaprakash Narayan (1902–1979) — Influential political leader and freedom fighter, known as "Lok Nayak" (People's Leader). In the 1970s, he led a mass movement for "Total Revolution" from Patna against the government of Indira Gandhi. He also passed away in Patna.
• Anand Kumar (born 1973) — Modern mathematician and educator. He gained worldwide fame thanks to his educational programme "Super 30", through which he prepares talented students from underprivileged families for admission to India's prestigious technical universities free of charge. His activities are based in Patna.