Located on the southern bank of the Ganga, Patna is the capital of the state of Bihar. One of the earliest cities in India, Patna was earlier known as Pataliputra.
Patna has the unique distinction of being the capital of early Indian empires for more than a thousand years. The ancient city of Pataliputra has been described in Greek accounts as rivalling the splendors of Persian cities. It excelled in the fields of architecture, sculptural art, literature, painting, trade, religion, and education.
Many legends surround the city of Patna. They revolve around the names of the city and its ancient origins. Patna is a treasure trove of stories and travelers to Patna waxed eloquent about the city in their records. Coins, sculptures, potteries, seals, and structures found in the layers of the city all speak of Patna’s fascinating past.
Click below to know more about the city of Patna.
CITY TALES
Patna is settled on the southern bank of the river Ganga - the mighty river that gave this historic city its status as a riverine trade centre. Take a look at the map, and you will notice the compass symbol that indicates that this map has been realigned in a North-South orientation.
This earthen pot, or lota, was excavated from the Gulzarbagh area of Patna.
It was probably used to store water, either for everyday use, or for sacred rituals.
While this pot is centuries-old, many Indian households still own similar pots in clay, brass, copper, or even steel.
This lota is a good reminder of the power of good design- that as long as it is well-designed and user-friendly, it can survive even the tides of time. Have you noticed the reddish hue of this pot? Archaeologists refer to this pottery as Red Ware.
PUNCH MARKED COIN 5th to 2nd Century BCE
You've dug up some ancient currency!
Excavated in the Machuatoli area of Patna, this coin from the Magadha-Maurya era is one of the earliest-known Indian coins.
These coins were made by melting metal, beating it into a thin sheet which were then cut into pieces that were the correct size and weight, and then stamped with patterns. Once complete, it was circulated across the empire as currency. This technique of making punch marked coins is unique to India.
DIDARGANJ YAKSHI 3rd Century BCE
You've dug up a world-famous sandstone statue!
This life-size sculpture of a fashionably-clad yakshi or Earth Spirit represents the school of sculpture that flourished in Pataliputra during the Mauryan Period.
Originally dated to the 3rd century BCE, some historians now date this beautiful sculpture to the 2nd century CE.
An exciting story accompanies this sculpture. In 1917, villagers from Didarganj in Patna gathered around a mound of earth, looking for a snake nest. Instead of a snake, they unearthed the base of a statue.
More digging revealed a body, and a head, and this beautiful sculpture was reintroduced to the world,
Have you seen other sculptures with a similar shine?
This polish is a good way of identifying sculptures from the Mauryan era!
AAROGYA VIHAR SEAL 4th to 5th Century CE
You've found a terracotta seal!
This small but unique seal from the Gupta period is known as the 'Aarogya Vihar' seal.
The reason for this is the writing- or inscription on its lower half. Written in Sanskrit, it reads ‘sri-arogyavihare-bhisu-samghasya'- the Seal of the Monastic Community of the Sanatorium Monastery.
This seal helped archaeologists prove that there was a special monastery at Pataliputra, which functioned as a sanatorium where patients could come to rest and recover. The top half of the seal features a Bodhi Tree- an important symbol in Buddhism, that represents the tree beneath which Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment.
historic cities history
The strategic location of Patna, nestled among the rivers Ganga, Son, Gandak and Punpun ensured the city’s political hegemony and gave it an edge in riverine trade. The city was the capital of the Shishunaga, Nanda, Maurya, Shunga, Kushana and Gupta dynasties, each of which left their imprint on the city. It continued as a center of trade even when it moved away from the political scene. It regained its political importance in the medieval and colonial periods. Patna was also actively involved in India’s struggle for independence.
Click below to read more on the long history of this city.
history timeline code
History of Patna
Ajatsatru of the Haryanka dynasty builds a fort at the village of Patali.Around this village grows the city of Pataliputra, the capital of Magadha.
Chandragupta captures Pataliputra and establishes the Mauryan dynasty. In 303 BCE, Megasthenes, the Greek ambassador visits the royal court of Chandragupta.
King Ashoka succeeds to the throne and extends the Mauryan Empire as far as Madras. In 232 BCE, King Ashoka dies and the Mauryan dynasty is overthrown by the Shungas.
Magadha begins to decline.
Pataliputra gains prominence under the Guptas. Chandra Gupta I of the Gupta dynasty revives the glories of Magadha.
Chinese pilgrim Fa Hian visits Pataliputra and writes about flourishing Magadha.
Hiuen Tsang, another Chinese pilgrim visits India and finds Pataliputra in ruins.
Pataliputra is a prominent river port.
Pataliputra (now Patna) becomes the provincial capital under Sher Shah Suri. He orders the construction of a fort. Patna becomes an important centre of trade and commerce.
Patna attracts European merchants. In 1666, the tenth and last Guru of Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh Ji is born in Patna.
In 1704, Mughal Prince Azim-us-Shan renames the city to Azimabad. In 1763, feud between Mir Qasim (the Nawab of Bengal) and the British leads to the Patna Massacre.
Patna witnesses the First War of Independence in 1857. Publication of English weeklys like “Bihar Times”, “English Chronicle” and “Bihar Herald” begins.
Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Public Library in Patna opens for the public.
Sachchidanand Sinha from Patna gets elected to represent Bihar in the Imperial Legislative Council.
On the 12th of December, King George V announces the constitution of the new province of Bihar and Orissa. Patna is its capital.
Patna hosts the 27th session of Indian National Congress.
Viceroy Lord Hardinge visits Patna. The foundation stone of the Patna High Court is laid by him.
Patna senses the influence of the Home Rule Movement and forms Patna Home Rule League with Maulana Mazharal Haque as its President.
Patna University and Patna Museum are established.
Patna witnesses protests against the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
Bihar Vidyapeeth is established.
Swaraj Party is formed. It participates in elections to local bodies.
The Simon Commission arrives in Patna and faces boycott.
Patna is retained as the capital of Bihar province after the separation of Orissa.
Provincial elections take place. State level government is formed.
Students are martyred while attempting to hoist the National Flag on the Secretariat building in Patna as a part of the Quit India Movement,.
Patna remains the capital of Bihar state in independent India.
Dr Rajendra Prasad becomes the first President of independent India.
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city tables level 2
{"rows":[{"title":"Dig into Pataliputra Explore rare artefacts from Pataliputra","field_audio":"","body":"","field_images":" \u003Cimg loading=\u0022lazy\u0022 src=\u0022\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/webp\/public\/2025-06\/Interactive_Image_0.png.webp?itok=X5o7nDRN\u0022 width=\u00221000\u0022 height=\u0022763\u0022 alt=\u0022abc\u0022 typeof=\u0022foaf:Image\u0022 class=\u0022image-style-webp\u0022 \/\u003E\n\n\n, \u003Cimg loading=\u0022lazy\u0022 src=\u0022\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/webp\/public\/2025-06\/pottery.png.webp?itok=zHJt5zql\u0022 width=\u0022175\u0022 height=\u0022142\u0022 alt=\u0022RED WARE POTTERY You\u0026#039;ve found some Gupta-Period It was probably used to store water, either for everyday use, or for sacred rituals. Red Ware! This earthen pot, or lota, was excavated from the Gulzarbagh area of Patna. While this pot is centuries-old, many Indian households still own similar pots in clay, brass, copper, or even steel.\u0022 title=\u0022This lota is a good reminder of the power of good design- that as long as it is well-designed and user-friendly, it can survive even the tides of time. Have you noticed the reddish hue of this pot? Archaeologists refer to this pottery as Red Ware.\u0022 typeof=\u0022foaf:Image\u0022 class=\u0022image-style-webp\u0022 \/\u003E\n\n\n, \u003Cimg loading=\u0022lazy\u0022 src=\u0022\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/webp\/public\/2025-06\/seal.png.webp?itok=UR3F2y7J\u0022 width=\u0022739\u0022 height=\u0022560\u0022 alt=\u0022PUNCH MARKED COIN You\u0026#039;ve dug up some ancient currency! Excavated in the Machuatoli area of Patna, this coin from the Magadha-Maurya era is one of the earliest-known Indian coins. These coins were made by melting metal, beating it into a thin sheet which were then cut into pieces that were the correct size and weight, and then stamped with patterns. Once complete, it was circulated across the empire as currency.\u0022 title=\u0022This technique of making punch marked coins is unique to India.\u0022 typeof=\u0022foaf:Image\u0022 class=\u0022image-style-webp\u0022 \/\u003E\n\n\n, \u003Cimg loading=\u0022lazy\u0022 src=\u0022\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/webp\/public\/2025-06\/statue.png.webp?itok=6ZoOTWvr\u0022 width=\u0022300\u0022 height=\u0022225\u0022 alt=\u0022DIDARGANJ YAKSHI You\u0026#039;ve dug up a world-famous sandstone statue! This life-size sculpture of a fashionably-clad yakshi or Earth Spirit represents the school of sculpture that flourished in Pataliputra during the Mauryan Period. Originally dated to the 3rd century BCE, some historians now date this beautiful sculpture to the 2nd century CE.\u0022 title=\u0022An exciting story accompanies this sculpture. In 1917, villagers from Didarganj in Patna gathered around a mound of earth, looking for a snake nest. Instead of a snake, they unearthed the base of a statue.More digging revealed a body, and a head, and this beautiful sculpture was reintroduced to the world,Have you seen other sculptures with a similar shine?\u0022 typeof=\u0022foaf:Image\u0022 class=\u0022image-style-webp\u0022 \/\u003E\n\n\n, \u003Cimg loading=\u0022lazy\u0022 src=\u0022\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/webp\/public\/2025-06\/coins.png.webp?itok=B77UFj75\u0022 width=\u0022200\u0022 height=\u0022196\u0022 alt=\u0022AAROGYA VIHAR SEAL You\u0026#039;ve found a terracotta seal! This small but unique seal from the Gupta period is known as the \u0026#039;Aarogya Vihar\u0026#039; seal. The reason for this is the writing- or inscription on its lower half. Written in Sanskrit, it reads \u2018sri-arogyavihare-bhisu-samghasya\u0026#039;- the Seal of the Monastic Community of the Sanatorium Monastery.\u0022 title=\u0022This seal helped archaeologists prove that there was a special monastery at Pataliputra, which functioned as a sanatorium where patients could come to rest and recover. The top half of the seal features a Bodhi Tree- an important symbol in Buddhism, that represents the tree beneath which Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment. \u0022 typeof=\u0022foaf:Image\u0022 class=\u0022image-style-webp\u0022 \/\u003E\n\n\n","field_videos":"","nid":"3000910"}],"pager":{"current_page":0,"total_items":1,"total_pages":1,"items_per_page":10}}
This earthen pot, or lota, was excavated from the Gulzarbagh area of Patna.
Excavated in the Machuatoli area of Patna, this coin from the Magadha-Maurya era is one of the earliest-known Indian coins.
This life-size sculpture of a fashionably-clad yakshi or Earth Spirit represents the school of sculpture that flourished in Pataliputra during the Mauryan Period.
This small but unique seal from the Gupta period is known as the 'Aarogya Vihar' seal.