Patna is the capital and largest city of the Indian state of Bihar. Situated on the southern bank of the Ganges, it is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, with origins traceable to the ancient city of Pataliputra, which served as the capital of several major Indian empires. Today Patna is the administrative, commercial, and educational hub of Bihar.
| Country | India |
|---|---|
| State | Bihar |
| Region | Magadh |
| Type | Metropolis and state capital |
| River | Ganges |
| Historical name | Pataliputra |
| Languages | Hindi, Magahi, Bhojpuri, Maithili, Urdu |
Patna lies on the southern bank of the Ganges, near the confluence of the Ghaghara, Son, Gandak, and Punpun rivers. The city stretches in a long, narrow strip along the river. The terrain is part of the Indo-Gangetic plain and is largely flat and alluvial, making the surrounding region one of the most fertile in India. Patna experiences a humid subtropical climate with hot summers, a pronounced monsoon season, and cool winters.
The site of modern Patna was the location of Pataliputra, traditionally said to have been founded by the Magadha king Ajatashatru in the 5th century BCE and developed by his successor Udayin. It rose to prominence as the capital of the Magadha kingdom and subsequently of the Nanda, Maurya, Shunga, and Gupta empires. Under Chandragupta Maurya and his grandson Ashoka, Pataliputra was one of the largest cities in the ancient world. The Greek ambassador Megasthenes, who visited the Mauryan court, described the city in his work Indica.
After the decline of the Gupta Empire, the city's importance waned. It was revived in the 16th century by Sher Shah Suri, who established a fort and renamed the area, recognising its strategic location on the Ganges. Under the Mughals, Patna grew as a centre for trade in saltpetre, rice, silk, and cotton. European trading companies, including the Dutch, Portuguese, English, and French, established factories in the city.
Patna became part of the Bengal Presidency under British rule. The Patna Massacre of 1763, during conflicts between the British East India Company and Mir Qasim, the Nawab of Bengal, took place in the city. In 1912, when the Bengal Presidency was partitioned, Patna was made the capital of the new province of Bihar and Orissa. Several important colonial-era buildings, such as the Patna High Court, the Golghar (a granary built in 1786 by Captain John Garstin), and the Secretariat, date from this period.
After Indian independence in 1947, Patna became the capital of the state of Bihar. With the bifurcation of Bihar in 2000, when Jharkhand was created, Patna remained the capital of the residual Bihar state. The city was a centre of the JP Movement led by Jayaprakash Narayan in the 1970s, which played a significant role in national politics.
Patna serves as the seat of the Government of Bihar, including the Bihar Legislative Assembly, the Bihar Legislative Council, and the Patna High Court. The Patna Municipal Corporation is the civic body responsible for the city. Patna district, of which the city is the headquarters, falls within Patna division.
Patna's economy is largely service-oriented, with significant contributions from government administration, retail trade, real estate, education, and healthcare. It is a major market for agricultural produce from the surrounding region, particularly rice, sugarcane, oilseeds, and vegetables. The city is also a hub for small-scale industries.
Patna has a long tradition of learning. Major institutions in and around the city include:
Patna is a religiously and culturally diverse city. Notable landmarks include:
Festivals such as Chhath Puja are observed with particular devotion along the ghats of the Ganges. Other widely celebrated festivals include Holi, Diwali, Eid, Durga Puja, and Prakash Parv (the birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh).
Patna is well connected by rail, road, and air. Patna Junction is one of the busiest railway stations on the Indian Railways network, lying on the Howrah–Delhi main line. Jay Prakash Narayan International Airport provides domestic and limited international connectivity. National Highways 19, 31, and 30 pass through the city. The Mahatma Gandhi Setu, one of the longest river bridges in India, links Patna with Hajipur across the Ganges. The Patna Metro, an under-construction rapid transit system, is being developed to ease urban congestion.
Patna has been associated with figures such as Guru Gobind Singh, who was born in the city in 1666; Jayaprakash Narayan, the freedom fighter and political leader; the mathematician Vashishtha Narayan Singh; and several leaders who have shaped Bihar and Indian politics.