In this article, we provide comprehensive information about the geography, history, population, and top tourist destinations of Patna City. Patna, the capital city of Bihar, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Located on the southern bank of the Ganges River, it is a city with immense historical, cultural, and religious significance. Known in ancient times as Pataliputra, it was the seat of powerful empires such as the Mauryas and the Guptas.
| About: | Patna is the largest city and the administrative headquarters of the Patna district in the Patna division of Bihar state. It serves as the capital of Bihar and is situated on the southern bank of the Ganga River. The city is well-connected by both rail and road, making it a key administrative and educational hub in the region. In addition to its administrative significance, Patna is home to several ancient sacred sites and attractions for tourists. Rice is the primary crop cultivated in the district, covering more than one-third of the total sown area. Other important food grains include maize, pulses, and wheat. The district also produces non-food crops, primarily oilseeds, along with cash crops like vegetables and watermelons, particularly in the Diara belt. Patna also serves as the seat of Patna High Court. The Buddhist, Hindu and Jain pilgrimage centres of Vaishali, Rajgir, Nalanda, Bodh Gaya and Pawapuri are nearby and Patna City is a sacred city for Sikhs as the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh was born here. The modern city primarily extends along the southern bank of the Ganges and also encompasses the rivers Son, Gandak, and Punpun. Patna measures approximately 35 kilometers (22 miles) in length and 16 to 18 kilometers (9.9 to 11.2 miles) in width. |
| History: | One of the oldest continuously inhabited places in the world, Patna was founded in 490 BCE by the king of Magadha. Ancient Patna, known as Pataliputra, was the capital of the Magadha Empire throughout the Haryanka, Nanda, Mauryan, Shunga, Gupta, and Pala dynasties. Pataliputra was a seat of learning and fine arts. It was home to many astronomers and scholars including Aryabhata, Vātsyāyana and Chanakya. During the Maurya period (around 300 BCE) its population was about 400,000. Patna served as the seat of power, and political and cultural centre of the Indian subcontinent during the Maurya and Gupta empires. With the fall of the Gupta Empire, Patna lost its glory. The British revived it again in the 17th century as a centre of international trade. Following the partition of Bengal presidency in 1912, Patna became the capital of Bihar and Orissa Province. |
| Geography: | Patna is on the southern bank of the river Ganges. The total area of Patna is 250 km2 (97 sq mi). The municipal area constitutes 109.218 km2 (42.169 sq mi). The suburban area covers 140.782 km2 (54.356 sq mi). It has an average elevation of 53 m (174 ft). A characteristic feature of the geography of Patna is its confluence of major rivers. |
| Country : | India |
| State: | Bihar |
| District: | Patna |
| Language: | Hindi |
| Population: | 1,684,222 (City) |
| Literacy rate: | 82.73% (2011) |
| Major Attractions to Visit: | Mahavir Mandir Patna Sahib Gurudwara (Takht Sri Patna Sahib) Golghar Bihar Museum Patna Planetarium (Indira Gandhi Planetarium) Gandhi Maidan Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park (Patna Zoo) Agam Kuan Nalanda University Ruins (near Patna) Kumhrar Archaeological Site Srikrishna Science Centre Padri Ki Haveli Buddha Smriti Park Jalmandir Temple (Pawapuri, near Patna) Eco Park |
