Patna |
Modern Patna, situated on the expansive banks of the river Ganga, was built by Sher Shah in the 16th century. The city, since its inception 2,500 years ago, has been christened often enough from Kusumpura to Pushpapura, Pataliputra, Azimabad and finally to Patna.Megasthenes gives an interesting and informative account of Pataliputra during the 4th century B. C. |
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| The city was protected by a massive timber
palisade with 64 gateways and 570 towers. The palace gates were open all the 24 hours to
those who sought the king’s advice, hearing or justice. In the 16th century Sher Shah
laid the foundations of the new city after having defeated and shunted out the Mughals.
His mosque in the Afghan style still rises on the city’s skyline, while at Kumrahar
one can have a glimpse of the ruins of Pataliputra from 600 B.C. to 600 A. D. and even
later. A 29 - meter high granary, the Golghar, in Patna, built in 1786 served British
troops trying to make inroads into India. Patna is a convenient base for excursions to Buddhist and Jain Shrines and to the neighbouring country of Nepal. ACCESS Patna is connected to Delhi, Calcutta, Lucknow, Kanpur, Ranchi, Imphal, Guwahati and Bagdogra by air. It is also well connected by rail and road to important towns and cities of India. PLACES OF INTEREST The Golghar, the mosque of Sher Shah, Har Mandir, Quila House—Sher Shah’s fort, Kumrahar, Sadaquat Ashram, the Patna City Museum, the Khuda Bux Library, Saif Khan’s mosque, Martyr’s memorial and the Zoo-cum-Botanical Garden, and the 18th century Church Padri Ki Haweli. EXCURSIONS Maner (the most sacred Muslim Shrine in Bihar), Vaishali (site of the Buddha’s last sermon), Sonepur (a Hindu pilgrim centre), Gaya (92 km), Nalanda (90 km), Pavapuri, Parasnath (80 km), Jain pilgrim centre. ACCOMMODATION Hotel Maurya (5-star), South Gandhi Maidan, Patna 800001. Phone: 222061-68. Cable: MAURYA Telex: 022-2352 wecl in. Fax: 0612-222069 Hotel Pataliputra Ashok (3-star), Beer Chand Patel Path, Patna 800001. Phone:226270-79. Cable: ASHOKOTEL. Telex: 022-2311. Hotel Chanakya (3-star), Birchand Patel Marg, Patna 800001. Phone: 223141. Hotel Samrat International (3-star), Fraser Road, Patna 800 001. Phones: 220560-67 (8 Lines), 226388. Cable: SAMRAT. Fax: 0612-226386. |
