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About Patna |
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History of Patna
Patna, the capital of Bihar, has had a fascinating past. In each chapter of its history, it has had different names Kusumpur, Pushpapur, Pataliputra and Azeemabad.
While turning over the pages of early Indian history one comes across the name of the pre-eminent city of Pataliputra. Located where Patna is today, this city saw the rise and fall of India's first major kingdom. It’s period of glory spanned a thousand years, from the 6th century B.C to the 5th century A.D. Ajatashatru, second in the line to the Magadha Kings, built a fort at Pataligram on the bank of river Ganga. This later on became the famous Mauryan metropolis of Pataliputra from where ruled Chandragupta Maurya, (a contemporary of Alexander) and his grandson Ashok who spread the light of Buddhism far and wide. Other emperors who ruled from Pataliputra were the Gupta and Pala Kings, Shershah Suri (16th Century) and Azimush-Shah, (18th Century) a grandson of the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, who renamed it Azeemabad. Vestiges of this ancient city can be seen at Kumhrar, Bhikhnapahari, Agamkuan. Bulandi Bag, etc. in Patna.
Today's Patna is an important business centre of eastern. India More significantly, it is a gateway to the Buddhist and Jain pilgrimage centres of Vaishali, Rajgir, Nalanda, Bodhgaya and Pawapuri.
Some Important Places of Tourist Interest in and around Patna.
GOLGHAR |
 This huge and impressive beeive-shaped structure was constructed in July 1786 by Captain John Gatstin following a terrible famine in 1770, to serve as a state granary. A flight of steps winds round this 29m high building to the top from where one gets a fine view of the river Ganga and the city of Patna. |
| HARMANDIR SAHEB |
 This shrine consecrates the birthplace of the tenth religious preceptor of the Sikh faith, Guru Gobind Singh. Originally build by Maharaja Ranjit Singh, a ruler of Punjab, Harmandirji is one of the holiest Sikh Shrines. Standing in the Chowk area of Old Patna, this domes shaped structure contains Sikh Scriptures and the personal belongings of the guru. |
| MUSEUM |
 It contains metal and stone sculptures of the Maurya and Gupta periods, Terracota figurines and archaeological finds from different sites in Bihar. Among its prized exhibits are Ashes of the Buddha, image of Yakshi (3rd Century B.C), and a 16metre long fossilized tree. |
| KHUDA BAKSH ORIENTAL LIBRARY |
 Set up at the turn of the century, the library has a distinguished collection of rare Arabic and Persian manuscripts, Rajput and Mughal Paintings and oddities like an inch wide Quran. It also contains the only books rescued from the plunder of the University of Cordoba in Spain. |
| PLANETARIUM |
 Indira Gandhi Taramandal is one of the most important structure of recent times. This is one of the best planetariums in Asia.
Besides these monuments the other places of interest are the Botanical Garden, Kumharar (Site of Ancient city of patna), Famous Hindu Temple "Patan Devi" etc.
Contact our Travel Desk for all types of tour package for patna local as well as for Gaya, Bodhgaya, Nalanda, Pawapuri, Rajgir and Vaishali. |
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