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The Capital City of Bihar is Patna. It is a city filled with history and breathing life. Moreover, this ancient metropolis has a beautiful blend of cultural heritage, religious sites, as well as modern development. Furthermore, this Capital City of Bihar is situated on the southern banks of the mighty and holy Ganga River. Read on to learn more about the Capital City of Bihar, Patna.
Table of Contents
What is the History of Patna?
Patna was originally known as Pataliputra. It was the capital of the powerful Mauryan Empire during the 3rd century BC.
- Emperor Ashoka was a famous advocate for peace and non-violence who ruled from Pataliputra.
- All throughout its history, Patna has seen the rise and fall of kingdoms, from the Mauryas to the Guptas and the Mughals.
- Interestingly, the Capital city was important again during the British Raj, becoming the Bengal Presidency’s administrative centre.
- After India’s independence in 1947, Patna became the capital of Bihar.
Demography of Patna
Furthermore, the population of Patna is more than 25 lakhs.
- Moreover, males outnumber females slightly with a ratio of around 1000 to 897.
- However, even though literacy rates are on the rise, there is still a gap to bridge.
- Overall literacy is around 70%, with a higher percentage among men as compared to women.
Geography of Patna
Take a look at where the Capital City of Bihar, Patna, is Located on India’s Map!
Furthermore, Patna has a humid subtropical climate with different seasons.
- Summers are hot and dry from April to June, with temperatures soaring up to 45°C.
- The monsoon season from July to September brings relief with moderate rainfall.
- Winters from December to February are mild, with temperatures ranging from 7°C to 22°C.
- Spring is from March to May and has pleasant weather with comfortable temperatures.
Economy of Patna
Patna has a rich history as a trade center and intriguingly, that tradition continues today.
- The Capital City of Bihar, Patna is a major agricultural hub which is known for exports like rice and sugarcane.
- In the past couple of years, Patna has seen strong growth in manufacturing, consumer goods, and service industries.
- Moreover, this economic diversity, coupled with a business-friendly environment, has thus made Patna an important city in the eastern part of India.
Culture of Patna
Additionally, Patna is an ancient city with history and has a bright cultural saga.
- Magadhi and Bhojpuri dialects reflect Patna’s rich heritage.
- The traditional dress of dhoti-kurta and sarees blends in with modern styles.
- All festivals like Holi, Eid, Guru Nanak Gurpurab, and Chhath Puja fill the city with joy throughout the year.
- The food has both Bengali and North Indian influences like litti-chokha, kebabs, and kadhi bari.
- There are art forms like folk songs and the tribal Chhau dance that complete the picture of Patna’s continuing cultural spirit.
What Language is spoken in Patna?
Bhojpuri which is a regional dialect with similarities to Hindi is a language spoken in Patna. Along with regionals like Maithili and Magadhi. Hindi and English are also understood and used in educational institutions and official settings, in the capital city of Bihar.
Why is Patna Famous?
Let us now get to know why Patna is famous and why it has a special place in India:
- The immense historical significance, of the Capital city of Bihar as Pataliputra. The city was the capital of powerful empires, thus Patna has many historical sites and archaeological wonders.
- Patna has famous Hindu and Sikh pilgrimage sites. Such as the Mahavir Mandir which is dedicated to Lord Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism and Takht Sri Harimandir Sahib which is one of the five holiest gurudwaras for Sikhs.
- Furthermore, Patna has many universities like the Patna University and the Indian Institute of Technology Patna, hence attracting students from across India and abroad as well.
What is Unique in Patna?
The uniqueness of Patna, and Bihar frankly is its people. Let us learn more about Patna and what goes on there:
- Ganga Aarti: The evening prayer ceremony on the banks of the Ganga River is something that you do not witness, but actually feel. All in all this experience embodies the Capital city’s spiritual nature.
- Gandhi Maidan: This huge public park is a vibrant hub for locals and a venue for cultural events and celebrations all throughout the year.
- Patna Museum: The Capital City of Bihar’s rich history at the Patna Museum has artefacts from the Mauryan and Gupta empires, which will envelop you in its history.
What is Famous in Patna to eat?
Patna’s eatery space is a blend of Bihari and North Indian flavours. Moreover, here are a few must-try dishes:
- Litti Chokha: This is an iconic Bihari dish that has a baked wheat flour ball stuffed with spiced mashed potatoes and is served with a fiery chutney.
- Sattu Sharbat: A refreshing summer drink made with roasted gram flour which is known as sattu is perfect when you need to beat the heat.
- Malpua: These are deep-fried pancakes dipped in sugar syrup and are a savoury dessert option.
FAQs
The first capital of Bihar was Rajgriha, thereafter shifted to Pataliputra, Patna.
The old name of Bihar is Vihar which has been derived from the resting place of a Buddhist monk.
There were many kings of Bihar, such as Ashoka, Chandragupta Maurya, Bindusara, Samudragupta and many more.
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